The Wood's U16 Boys had a rare Easter Sunday outing away in the league against St. Albans City today, the final match in their trilogy this season. Both teams had a win apiece and with both sides also containing free-scoring attackers, it was certainly a game to entertain.
St. Albans started fast and had several early opportunities as the Wood struggled to contain their attackers. Fortunately, these efforts flew wide or were saved by the commanding Elboukhari, exhorting his defensive players to snap into action; Carlow was taking notice and one of those heavily involved from the off.
As sometimes happens, the Wood weathered the storm and took the lead against the run of play; Silva streaking through to nutmeg the keeper and reach a quarter century of goals with 3 games still to go. McGuinness was putting in a mighty shift on the left wing and after good work from him, Da Silva, in typically tricky and outstanding form throughout, grabbed two quick goals himself, firing low each time to take his season’s tally to 18.
The Wood were in a 0-3 lead and their defensive capabilities clicked in to guard against the inevitable St. Albans response with Manning, Boshjaku and Ifeacho now much more effective, focused and tight to their opponents; one ultra committed last ditch slide tackle from Ifeacho to deny a certain goal was worth the entry fee alone! Zefi joined the action displaying very high quality play and grit in his challenges after completing a Superman like outfit change in a local phone box after arriving on-site with the wrong colour top!
Marshall tore around the pitch and seemed determine to make an impact up front, coming close to opening his account a couple of times, while Hones & Collier bolstered the midfield nicely when it started to flag, allowing the boys to take that 3 goal lead into half time.
The second half saw the game see-saw but, the Wood were making good chances and really should have scored a 4th to seal the game. Though they didn’t, Fan was becoming influential and his left footed strike from distance was a technical effort of the highest order that the home keeper did very well to tip over the crossbar.
It is hard to bottle up an attack like St. Albans for the duration of the match and they did pull one back but, the Wood’s response was out the top drawer. Green instigated much of it and he drove into the box to fire home for his 4th of the season and the Wood’s 4th of the game. Many more very good chances were created and the Wood’s goal tally should have climbed but, with a healthy lead, Captain Crucefix buttressed the midfield, allowing the team to see out the match rather comfortably.
MoM went to Song, who returned after a nearly two month absence from a fractured wrist after a skiing mishap. His inherent intelligence and years of drilling saw him slip straight back into wing position and meant he was on the spot to clear danger time and again when needed. A first class effort from a brave, low maintenance and uncomplaining stalwart of our side.
This ended up a really solid performance from the squad with a big majority of the players playing near or to their full potential, though a sluggish start could have seen the game turn out differently and that needs addressing going forward. However, with their 43 goals in the top division now leading the league, the Wood are a devastating attacking unit and some of their play today on a very tricky pitch was off the highest order.
As reigning County and League champions and once again competing the County and Challenge cup finals this season, St. Albans have been a highly successful team these last few years and the Wood can take much pride in an aggregate scoreline in their favour of 11-6 against such a top side in the three games played this season. However, St. Albans are experienced in playing crucial matches and got their strongest side out when it mattered most during our recent semi-final, progressing as a result. With a view to next season, and with the expectation that big, season defining games will be played around Easter, the Wood can make a big jump just by having our players available at this crucial stage of the season, with the same being true of pre-season also, another key period for any footballer hoping to perform highly.