Woodford Youth Football Club

For the second time in two weeks Woodford faced Prostar in the league. Although the final outcome was the same, Prostar looked a lot stronger from the start. Proof of this was it took Woodford 20 minutes to break the deadlock, after missing a host of chances. Ahmadi poked home from close range to put us 1 0 up. Prostar were looking dangerous on the break but within 5 minutes it was 2 0 when Turner scored from close range as Prostar failed to clear from a corner. Just before half time Prostar were unlucky not to score when a long range effort shaved the top of Woodford's bar. The first half ended 2 0 to Woodford.  Woodford started the second half in much better fashion and maybe the shot that Prostar had at the end of the first half,  was  the wake up call that they needed. The game was effectively over when Fahy hit his 20th of the season followed by Mbeuakam's first for the club from fully 25 yards, made the score 4 0 to Woodford. Turner then found himself one on one with the keeper, he cooly dummied twice, sending the keeper to the ground before rounding him for his second of the game 5 0. Prostar then scored a consolation when a long range effort dipped under the bar giving Clements no chance. Woodford made it 6 when a great ball from Harris found Hunt who was fouled in the area. Captain Richardson stepped up and made no mistake. Soon after it was 7 when Richardson again finished superbly when released by the impressive Harris. Turner then rounded the keeper to grab a well deserved hat trick and make it 8. Next it was Richardson's turn to grab his hat trick, again the architect was Harris whose clever ball found Richardson bursting forward, as the ball dropped over his shoulder he hooked a looping shot into the far corner from 25 yards, a fantastic goal to cap a Man of the Match performance and to make it 9. Woodford's superb display was capped off by a powerful header from Turner to make it 10. Although the forward players grabbed the headlines today, they were backed up by a fine defensive performance by Harvey, Muca, Weir and Lea. Hunt was also superb today as was Harris who was involved in at least 5 of the goals.  Notable performances from Harris, Hunt.

Match report:  SC

Woodford travelled to Wanstead flats this week to face a Prostar team who were coming off the back of a great result the week before. When we arrived the pitch was frozen but after delaying the kick off time for 30 minutes, the ref deemed the pitch playable. The pitch was the smallest we had played on and this looked like it could be a tricky game. We started strongly and after a couple of missed chances Turner opened scoring when a attempted clearance fell to his feet and from 5 yards out he squeezed the ball into the near post. The goal seemed to settle Woodford down and shortly after it was two, great work from Fahy saw him turn his man and attack down the right, he managed to get his head up and cross to the incoming Ahmadi who finished superbly to make it 2 0. Fahy then managed to miss a one on one but made amends shortly before half time, with a left foot volley into the bottom corner 3 0. With Woodford now looking comfortable Mbeukam was looking impressive on his debut and was causing problems down our left hand side. Half time 3 0.  The second half started with Prostar being the brighter team, and for the first time in the match they had forced Clements into a smart save at his near post. Just as it looked like Woodford were sitting back on their lead a powerful break from midfield from captain Richardson saw him run through and score his 5th goal in three games. The fifth goal followed shortly when a quick throw from Clements released Mbeukam down the left he in turn found Naidoo he then played the ball onto Hunt who crossed for Ahmadi to score his second of the game. Fahy was next to add to his tally when a superb defence splitting ball from the impressive Richardson, released him and allowed him to go through unchallenged on goal from where he made no mistake. It was now becoming increasingly easy for Woodford to cut through Prostars high backline, and Naidoo was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions. Woodford's 7th arrived when Ahmadi found the ball at his feet in the area he managed to hold off the defender and shift the ball onto his right before sliding the ball into the bottom corner to complete his first Woodford hat trick.  The scoring was completed when great work from Man of the Match Muca in defence saw him out strength a Prostar forward and the play a great ball through to Fahy who cooly ran onto complete his hat trick and score his 19th goal of the season. Final score 8 0.

Match report:  SC

Woodford fell at the first hurdle in this rearranged League Cup game against Tigers. We started slowly and allowed Tigers to take a lead midway through the first half, when a clearance from a corner was not closed down and a Tigers midfielder smashed the ball through a crowded penalty area and into the bottom corner. The game was becoming a physical battle and Woodford were struggling to contain the strong Tigers players. Ahmadi dropped into midfield and captain Richardson went up front to add some pace, and within a minute we were level.  A good move saw Richardson burst into the area and cooly slide the ball across the keeper and into the bottom corner. Half time 1-1.  The second half started and the game was becoming scrappy with neither team getting the ball down to play. However it was Woodford who took the lead when a through ball found Richardson again and as he was forced wide by the keeper he managed to squeeze his shot across the goal and into the bottom corner. At this point it looked as if we would go and score again.  Hunt was having a great game and was causing all sorts of problems. The next chance fell to Woodford and Richardson again was involved, what looked like a lost cause that had run into the corner, was retrieved and when Richardson found Ahmadi he in turn slipped the ball across to Fahy whose shot was superbly saved by the Tigers keeper. With less than 10 minutes to go Woodford were caught out when a long punt forward saw defender and keeper going for the same ball, they somehow both managed to call at the same time and both smash into each other at the vital time and the ball trickled into the net. The game ended 2-2 and was going to extra time.  In the first period of extra time Tigers took the lead again when their tricky left winger just skipped past our right sided player far too easily, and as the winger crossed to the back post the ball sailed over everyone and dropped into the far corner. The game wasn't finished yet though and with only 2 minutes to go Captain Marvel Richardson stepped up to complete his hat trick and send the game into penalties.  Tigers keeper was almost as tall as the goal, so the boys were told to keep the ball low and hard, Clements made a save but unfortunately two Woodford players missed their penalties, sending Tigers through 8-7 on pens.

On the negative side we were simply outmuscled today, too many of our players went missing today and allowed the oppositon ti play ht egame the way they wanted to.
On the posiitve side we showed great charactor again and refuse to give up which says alot about us as a team. We need to forget about this game and step it up in time for next weeks game.  Notable performances from Harvey, O'Toole, Hunt and Richardson.
MOM Richardson and Hunt.

Match report:  SC

Woodford were simply awesome today in all areas, and swept aside current cup holders Buckhurst Hill with a convincing 4-1 win. We started strongly and within 5 minutes found ourselves 1-0 up, a short corner from Harris found Fahy who crossed to the backpost, where Hunt stole in and cooly finished to give us a dream start. Within 10 minutes it was 2 as a great ball from Ahmadi found Fahy who superbly held off two defenders and stabbed the ball past the onrushing keeper. Woodford were bossing the game and any threat that Hill had was dealt with superbly by the defence of Harvey, O'Toole, Weir and Muca. Turner and Richardson were winning every ball in the centre and Ahmadi was causing all sorts of problems in his free role.  Fahy was then brought down in the area for the most blatant penalty you will ever see, but somehow the ref didn't.  But, instead of moaning about it, we just picked ourselves up and got on with the game.  We needn't have worried as 5 minutes later  the third goal arrived , and what a goal it was!  Ahmadi picked the ball up out wide and danced through 4 Hill players, as he approached the keeper he cooly lifted the ball over the dive of the keeper.  This was a truly fantastic goal and would have been worthy of winning any game. With a 3-0 lead the Foxes were now looking home and dry, but a injury to Captain Richardson meant a quick reshuffle, Ahmadi dropped back into the centre and Naidoo came on up front to partner Fahy. Half time 3-0.  The second half started and we were expecting Hill to come at us all guns blazing, but this wasn't really the case, and  it was in fact Woodford who scored their 4th. A ball into Naidoo on the edge of the box, and he shifted the ball onto his right and hit a unstoppable curling shot into the top corner, another fantastic goal. Harris and Hunt were continuing to cause problems on the wings and both worked their socks off tracking players off the ball, Hunt was having his best game of the season, and each and every Woodford player continued to work hard. Midway through the half and Hill got their consolation goal when a corner found its way into the Woodford net via a Woodford defender.  For the remainder of the game Hill continued to try and push forward but failed to force Clements into a save of any note.  Each and every player was superb today and worked hard to stop Hill getting a hold in this game.  This was our best performance for some time and we fully deserved our win. Notable performances from every player.  MOM Hunt and Ahmadi.

Match report:  SC

Woodford travelled away to Prostar this week in the fourth round of the Doris Barker Cup. The strong wind was blowing across the pitch, although the pitch was in surprisingly good condition. We started this game with a change of formation, switching from our usual 4 4 2   to a more attacking 4 3 1 2, with Clements in goal, a back four of Lea, Muca, O'Toole, and Harvey.  Harris, Turner and Richardson across the middle, with Ahmadi in behind Hunt and  Fahy, Naidoo, Weir, Brooks and Da Silva on the bench. Woodford started this game at great pace and really went straight for the throat, with less than 2 minutes gone Fahy found himself one on one in the area with the keeper and cooly slotted past the keeper to give us a 1 0 lead. Within 5 minutes we found orselves 2 0 up when great work from Turner found Ahmadi, who weaved his way through  two or three challenges and kept his head to slide the ball into the bottom corner. Within 10 minutes it was effectively game over when Fahy superbly curled the ball into the top corner with the outside of his foot from outside the area. We then took our foot off the gas a little and allowed Prostar to start coming forward, most of their attempts were snuffed out by the impressive Lea and O'Toole before they had time to trouble Clements in goal. Just before half time it was 4 when a half cleared corner fell to Harvey who picked his spot in the top corner to score his first  league goal of the season. Half time 4 0.  The second half started and with changes made, the team now looked a bit disrupted, we also lost our shape, but eventually we did start to play. The 5th goal arrived midway through the half when a superb ball from Hunt found Harris cutting in from the right, and he finshed clinically, smashing the ball into the top corner to score his second in as many games. The 6th arrived shortly after when twinkle toes Ahmadi tip toed through the defence to score his second of the game. Prostar then forced their only chance of the game, but Clements smartly saved down to his right. There was still  time for Fahy to complete his hat trick with a well taken goal into the bottom  corner with his left foot. Final score 7 0.  Although today we didn't play brilliantly, we took our goals well and also started very strongly, this could have been a banana skin for us, up against a physical Prostar team that didnt give up, but overall we did well, and looked comfortable throughout.  Notable performances from Lea, Hunt and Fahy.  MOM Ahmadi.

Match report:  SC

Woodford travelled away to Wadham this week in the Cup. Woodford started slowly and allowed Wadham to start the better of the two teams, and if it hadn't been for an offside decision going our way we could have found ourselves 1 0 down. Midway through the half Woodford began to get on top, and a great run from Turner enabled him to storm into the area and cooly slot the ball past the keeper to put us 1 0 up. Woodford were now starting to boss the game and the defence of O'Toole, Weir, Lea and Harvey had now come to grips with Wadham's pacy attackers. Hunt and Brooks were causing all sorts of problems down the flanks, and when Brooks slipped the ball through to Fahy everybody stopped waiting for the offside flag, but it didn't arrive and as Fahy ran on he lobbed the biggest keeper I have ever seen at this age(he was bigger than the ref), to put us 2 0 up with a contender for goal of the season far.    The second half started and with the fresh legs of Muca and Da Silva now on, Woodford continued to dominate.  Ten minutes into the second half and it was game over, a great stepover from Ahmadi opened up Wadham's defence, and when the ball landed at Fahys feet he made no mistake, turning and smashing the ball into the top corner to give us a 3 goal cushion. Richardson was now holding in midfield and doing a superb job in breaking up anything Wadham had to throw at them. Da Silva was having a good half out on the left and was involved a few great passages of play, one which found Ahmadi and as he rounded the keeper the ball came back off the inside of the post. Harris was superb down the right and looked dangerous everytime the ball was played out wide to him, it was Harris who scored our 4th with a great finish with the outside of his foot from a tight angle, for his first of the season. The next chance fell to Naidoo, and as he held off the defender his shot hit the same post as Ahmadi had hit earlier in the half. Wadham scored a late consolation when a deflected shot found its way under Clements to make the score 4 1.  Today was a superb performance from the whole squad, each and every player played their part in a great win over last years runners up.  Notable performances today from Harris, Hunt and Richardson.  MOM Turner.

Match report:  SC

Woodford travelled to Tigers this weekend, and with a big slope and a strong wind we could tell from the start that this was going to be a diffcult game. Hunt continued in goal and the back four lined up as follows, Lea O'Toole, Weir and Harvey, across the middle Harris, Richardson Turner and Brooks, with Ahmadi and Fahy upfront, Naidoo started as sub. Woodford started strongly and found themselves 1-0 up within 7 minutes, when great work from Turner found Fahy in the box and he cooly slotted his 5th of the season. As so often happens when we go 1 up we then took our foot off the gas and allowed Tigers to edge themselves back into the game. We still looked very dangerous and Fahy was proving a real handful upfront but at times looked very isolated. The defence was holding firm and were restricting tigers too long range efforts. The half ended with Woodford 1-0 up.  The second half started with Woodford having switch players around.  Weir went in goal Brooks switched to left back with Harvey moving too centre back. Naidoo came on and replaced Harris, and within 5 minutes of the restart Woodford conceded a very soft goal, with some of the defence just standing watching as the Tigers forward walked into the area and equailised. We didnt really get going again in this half and chances were few and far between. Naidoo did go close on one occasion when he nipped in front of the keeper and saw his shot clip the top of the bar. With less than a minute to go a long punt forward from Tigers' keeper was allowed to bounce and the Tigers forward picked up the ball to run through and score what looked like being the winner. Unbeliveably, with less than 30 seconds to go, and for the second game in a row, Woodford equalised with the last kick of the game, Turner decided to take it upon himself to take on 3 Tigers players and then play the ball out to Harris, his cross was cleared to the edge of the box and Turner hit a great shot which the keeper could only parry, and after being stand in keeper for the last 5 weeks the ball fell to Hunt who finished cooly to snatch a point for Woodford.  Final score 2-2.  Although we showed great character again today to come back, we didn't play well at all and only twice did we get the ball down on the floor and play any type of football, this lead to our 2 goals. Unless we learn to play as a team and get the ball on the floor we will struggle to finish in the top half this season. You are all much better players than you are showing at the moment, although the result was ok against a well organised and talented Tigers team, the performance was way off what I have come to expect from you as a team.  Notable performances from  Fahy, Turner and Harvey.  MOM Fahy.

Match report:  SC

This week Woodford hosted East Thurrock, which they knew would be a tough game. We lined up with Hunt in goal, a back four of Muca, Weir, O'Toole and Harvey, with Harris, Turner, Richardson and Naidoo across the middle, and Ahmadi and Fahy upfront. Brooks, Lea and Da Silva started as subs. In contrast to last week we flew out of the blocks and found ourselves 1 0 up within two minutes when a volley by Ahmadi was turned in by Fahy from close range. With only 5 minutes on the clock Woodford were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area, Richardson touched the ball to Turner who smashed a trademark shot into the top corner to give us a dream start. We then seemed to switch off and a defensive mix up at the back allowed the Thurrock striker in, to finish smartly. We didn't really recover from this and midway through the half Thurrock equalised. With 20 minutes on the clock Brooks came on to replace Naidoo and Da Silva came on for Harris, ironically it was the two subs who combined to put Woodford 3 2 up.  A great shot from Ahmadi was turned away by the keeper, but Brooks managed to shoot back across goal from a tight angle, and Da Silva was at the back post to finish smartly and open his account for the season. Yet again Thurrock came back and scored making the score 3 3 at half time. The second half Lea replaced Muca at the back,  and Naidoo came on for Fahy. Woodford started strongly again and Richardson and Turner were now starting to boss the game in midfield. Midway through the half Man of the Match Harvey won a tackle on the edge of his own area and then went on a mazy run, beating at least Thurrock players before sliding  a perfectly weighted ball through to Fahy who ran on and found himself  one on one with the keeper, he cooly slotted the ball past the keeper to give us the lead for the third time in the game. Further chances fell to Brooks and Ahmadi but they were unable to capitalize. Thurrock then equalised for the fourth time to square the game up at 4 4 with 10 minutes to go. Turner hit a free kick inches over with minutes to go, and it was now looking like this amazing game would end in a draw, but with 30 seconds to go Thurrock were awarded a throw deep in Woodfords half. as the throw came in a flick-on found Thurrocks left back running onto the ball and from just outside the area he hit an unstoppable left foot volley into the top corner. With less than 20 seconds on the clock this looked like the cruellest of defeats for the Foxes, but there was to be one more twist! Full credit to O'Toole who instead of standing there in disbelief retrieved the ball from Woodford's net and sprinted to the centre spot. O'Toole quickly took kick off and passed to Turner who then went on and beat 4 players before sliding the ball through to Harris, as he approached the keeper he hit a great shot which smashed against the upright and then hit Fahy on its way back out, the ball bounced back out to Harris who then chipped a delightful ball to the backpost, where former East Thurrock player Naidoo headed a most dramatic equaliser to send the Woodford crowd wild! The  game ended in an amazing 5 5 draw. Today we showed great spirit to come back so late in the game, and both sets of players deserve a lot of credit for what was the most exciting game I have ever  been involved in.  Notable performances today from Turner, Harvey and Fahy, and a special mention to Hunt who was again superb in goal and had no chance with any of Thurrocks goals. 

Match report:  SC

Woodford travelled to  Dagenham this week for a long awaited clash with Euro Dagenham. With Clements and Brooks still out injured and Weir sunning himself in Cyprus. We lined up with Hunt in goal, a back four of Lea, Muca, O'Toole and Harvey, Harris, Ahmadi, Turner, Richardson and Naidoo across the middle, with Fahy upfront on his own. Da Silva started as sub. The first ten minutes were scrappy and mainly being fought out in midfield. As the half wore on Woodford started to gain the upper hand, Ahmadi was already starting to impress on his debut and looked like he had wrong footed the keeper with some of his normal trickery, but the keeper did well to hold his shot down low. Woodford continued to push forward but couldn't really create any clear cut chances, with 20 mins on the clock a long ball over the top found Euros pacy striker and he finished well to put Euro 1 up. Harris, Turner and Fahy had further half chances but the half ended 1-0.  The second half started with the introduction of Da Silva for Naidoo and with Ahmadi being pushed upfront to support Fahy. Right from the start of the half Woodford piled on the pressure and with less than 10 minutes gone, Ahmadi found himself upended in the area and was awarded a penalty. Before we could work out who was going to take it, Turner had already picked up the ball and placed it on the spot. The crowd held its breath as Turner cofidently strode forward and smashed the ball into the roof of the net to equalize. The Foxes tails were now up and less than a couple of minutes later, great work by Da Silva down the left  found Fahy on the edge of the area, who shifted the ball onto his right foot and placed his shot into the bottom left hand corner, 2-1 to Woodford. With the passing now flowing Woodford pushed on and apart from a couple of long balls over the top which where both dealt with superbly by O'Toole and Harvey, Euro never really threatened. The game was made safe when great work in the middle by Turner found Ahmadi who slid the ball through to Fahy who finished cooly to send the large crowd wild. For the remainder of the game Woodford were very professional and showed great maturity to close the game out. Final score 1-3.  Special mention to Harris and Turner today who both faced their old team, and both can be very proud of their performances, and both were major influences in us winning this game. Also well done to Euro's captain who was superb all over the pitch and made two unbeliveable goal line clearances.  Notable performances from Harvey, Muca, Harris, Turner, Ahmadi, Da Silva.  Man of the Match: The whole team.

Match report:  SC

Woodford lined up this week with Weir in goal, a back four of Harvey, O'Toole, Muca and Lea, across the middle Harris, Turner, Richardson and Da silva, with Hunt and Fahy up front, Naidoo starting on the bench. Woodford started strongly and looked as if it was just a matter of time before we took the lead, but midway through the half a debatable free kick was awarded to Cowley, and up stepped their captain who curled a great free kick into the top corner giving Weir no chance. The rest of the half Woodford had  more of the play but were all unusually off the boil with nobody looking like they wanted the ball.  Half time 1-0 to Cowley.  Second half and Woodford were slightly better and were trying to pass, and although we dominated this half we were struggling to break Cowley down. When we did create chances we seemed to hit every shot straight at their keeper. In the last 10 mins we created enough chances to win two games but lacked composure when in and around the area. In the final minute of the game O'Toole burst through the defence beat the keeper only for the ball to come back off the post and into the path of Turner who, to be fair was stretching so he couldn't find the target, at this point we all knew this wasn't going too be our day.  Although we created lots of chances and must have had 20 shots at goal we couldn't make any of them count, too many players were rushing their passes today and not once did we really play the type of football we are capable of. Hopefully this was just one of those games and Cowley are always our bogey team, we will need to up our performance next week and bounce back straight away.  Notable performances from Harvey, Fahy and Weir.  Man of the Match Harvey.

Match report:  SC

Woodford were down to the bare bones today, with Clements still out injured Hunt continued in goal, O'Toole away Muca started his first game for 3 months at centre back and with Ahmadi still not registered, we were down to one sub. We lined up as follows Hunt in goal, a back four of Harvey, Weir, Muca and Lea, in midfield Harris, Richardson, Turner and Naidoo with Brooks and Fahy up front, Da Silva starting as sub.  Woodford started the game the stronger and could have been a goal up in the first 10 mins, but gradually Buckhurst Hill clawed their way into the game and opened the scoring midway through the half with a smart finish from their pacey forward. For the next 10 mins Hill were the better team and found themselves 2 up when a great free kick from the left found the top corner of the net. This seemed to be the wake up call we needed and with only a couple of mins to go in the half Turner picked up the ball outside the box held off his man and curled a beauty into the top corner. Almost from the re-start great work from Richardson out by the corner flag enabled him to cross low and find Brooks at the back post to tap in the equaliser. Half time 2-2.  The second half saw Woodford on top for much of the half but Hill still looked dangerous on the break and the next goal was going to be crucial. Midway through the half a great corner from Brooks was floated in and Weir and Richardson bundled the ball in at the backpost with Weir getting the final touch to put us 3-2 up. This game was now turning into a thriller and Harvey, Lea and Muca showed great maturity at the back keeping Hill at bay, Hunt was largely untroubled in goal the second half but was quick off his line when needed. Naidoo was working hard in the centre with Turner, and Harris was very strong today down the right, Richardson needed to be replaced by Da Silva and showed a real Captain's performance today having been unwell for much of the previous night. The final goal came with 10 mins to go when another superb corner found Man of the Match Weir on the edge of the 6 yard box who superbly headed past Hill's keeper to put the game safe. Final score 4-2
Today's performance was superb with so many players missing and against a strong team like Buckhurst Hill, we showed great character to come back from 2 goals down. The second half was scrappy but the first was great to watch, with both teams evenly matched and chances at both ends. Notable performances today from everyone.

Match report:  SC 

Woodford lined up for the final pre-season friendly, with Hunt deputising for the injured Clements, a back four of Lea, Weir, O'Toole and Brooks, across the middle Da Silva, Richardson, Turner and Naidoo, with Ahmadi and Fahy up front. The first 15 minutes were tight and we knew we were in for a tough game.  The game was being fought out in the midfield and both teams were struggling to make any telling passes. Harris replaced Da Silva and Harvey came on for Lea after 15 minutes, and from then on the Foxes really started to stamp their authority. The first goal arrived when great work from Naidoo on the left found Turner unmarked in the area, a well controlled left foot volley found the top corner to put us 1-0 up. The second arrived shortly after when Fahy picked up the ball midway inside the opponents half and powered his way through 4 defenders before placing the ball into the bottom corner. Just before half time Fahy again scored another great individual goal but this time with his left foot, to take us into a 3-0 lead at half time. The second half started and Woodford flew out of the blocks. A Turner free kick was floated into the area and Richardson nipped in front of the keeper to flick his volley home and surely put the game beyond our opponents. Changes were made and Muca made his long awaited return after a long injury lay off. 10 minutes into the second half Man of the Match Fahy completed a superb hat trick to put us 5-0 up. The sixth goal arrived when great thinking by Harris found Turner on the edge of the area, as the defender closed him down he opened up his body to dummy the defender and then unleashed a 25 yard scorcher into the top corner 6 0. The boys were playing some great football now and the centre back partnership of O'Toole and Weir supported by Lea and Harvey looked comfortable with anything the opponents threw at them. Naidoo was rewarded with a well taken goal with 5 minutes to go when the ball dropped in the area and he made no mistake smashing the ball through the keepers legs. Brooks capped off a great team display when he broke down the left and from a almost impossible angle he smashed his shot into the top corner to bring the final score to 8 0.  Todays team performance was top draw, although on paper it sounds like this was a miss match, it was anything but. Todays opponents had some very good individual players, and everyone of our boys needed to be on top of their game today to beat a team of this standard so convincingly. Special mentions today for Hunt who filled in in goal and didn't put a foot wrong.  Notable performances: Turner,  Richardson, Weir, and O'Toole. 

Match report:  SC