Woodford Youth Football Club

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Battling display despite disappointing eventual scoreline
 
Back to League action at long last for the first time in 2010 for our Boys today, and against table topping Senrab we knew things potentially would be tough, and this was made all the more difficult by an almost unplayable pitch. The midfield area was like a total mudbath, where a Hippopotamus would have felt at home, and the only grass visible was on the wings. Despite the conditions our boys applied themselves well to a new formation and for long periods controlled the game, without getting any real breaks. The back four of Coates, Dann, Banks and Applewhaite , with Man of the Match Griffin immediately in front, held a good line and managed to counteract the majority of Senrab’s attacking threat. McGilloway and Harrington battled in the middle, trying to keep the ball out wide to Sumithran and Edelman/Grafton as much as possible, and Walker ran his legs off up front despite limited support and little change from an very tight Senrab defensive unit. Unfortunately for us, with the limited chances Senrab were allowed, they managed to find the target, and despite Orme putting in a fine performance in goal Senrab hit the back of the net twice in each half.  Despite the eventual result  the Boys accommodated the revised formation well today and can be proud of their performance in unplayable conditions against a good Senrab side. Well done.
We have a tough league programme remaining to complete now, but with continued hard work, application and dedication we can still end up with a very respectful league position.
 
Match report:  MMcG

Cup fever grips Woodford as we prove too strong for Grays in this much delayed 1st round game.
 
Due to weather and pitch restrictions, this was our first game of 2010 and first competitive game since November 2009, so we knew match fitness could be a key factor today. In addition we were down to bare bones with only 11 fit players, so we were very aware our backs would potentially be against the wall, but to be fair all the Boys gave a 110% performance as we overcame a spirited Grays team. We played Orme as usual between the sticks, and he looked sharp when call upon, quick of his line and good reflexes. The back four today were Coates, Dann, Banks and Applewhaite and they all performed admirably, held a good line and made some great saving tackles. Dann in particular deserves special mention for a fine vocal performance deputising in the heart of defence – there was definite leadership potential shown today. In midfield, Sumithran played on the right, McGilloway and Griffin in the middle and Harrington as usual on the left..  All covered plenty of ground and were an attacking threat all day, and Griffin clearly enjoyed the freedom of midfield and gave a Captains performance, and up front Grafton and Man of the Match Walker were striking fear into the Garys back four, running some great lines.
Our boys started brightly, and had a couple of chance, before against the run of play Grays broke away and finished well beyond the reach of Orme, to take a 0 : 1 advantage. This was short lived as our Boys responded superbly attacking Grays from the restart, and Grafton getting on the end of a fine move to finish, 1 : 1 and Game On. The first half ebbed and flowed, but we managed to get our noses on front before half time, with another attacking move, and Griffin running on from midfield getting on the end of the move within the box. ( 2 : 1 ). We finished the 1st half and started the 2nd with only 10 men, following an injury to Sumithran, but you wouldn’t have know it as the Boys doubled their effort to ensure all bases were covered. With tired legs as the half wore on, we still created a fair number of chances, but were unable to convert them, thereby keeping the game on a knife edge, and a real cup tie.. Eventually Grafton got his second of the day, putting the result beyond doubt finishing with a fine lob over the keeper and dipping just below the bar. Final score was 3 : 1 to Woodford, and a very professional performance by the boys in Orange. Today’s much awaited game, was played with a great atmosphere and a very sporting approach by both teams, and we would like to thank Grays for hosting this game on our behalf.
Looking forward to the next round.
 
Match report:  MMcG

BELOW PAR 1ST HALF PERFORMANCE PROVES IMPOSSIBLE TO RECOVER FROM
 
It was obvious we had not played in weeks ( despite training regularly ) as you cannot replace game time on the pitch. The first half was one of the poorest we have put in to date, as we were slow to react, second to most balls and lacking in touch and feel, and unfortunately today we got punished for not being UP FOR IT AND WANTING IT BADLY ENOUGH. To be fair to Benfleet they are not a bad side, but having beaten them earlier in a summer tournament, today we just stood back and let them play unopposed in the first half. Goals came fast and frequent due to too many individual and collective mistakes throughout the team. By half time we were 4 : 0 down and shell shocked, as we had not let another side do this to us in a long time.
With the game potentially already beyond our reach, the 'hair dryer'  treatment was given at half time, with the boys left in no doubt that what we had just witnessed was unacceptable and would not be tolerated again - people had travelled along way and spent good money and the least they could do was show up and put on a performance. We can't change history so the boys understood they were playing for personal and team pride in the second half, and thankfully we got the reaction we desired. Too a man they stood up and battled, and won the second half hands down. We took our game to Benfleet and started pressing their box, looking for an opportunity or any weakness - it was like watching two different teams. Why can we not do this from the start ? We eventually got some reward for our efforts with Walker getting on the end of an attacking move to drill the ball home. Towards the end of the half Benfleet got a further goal to make the final score 5 : 1. All in all a disappointing day, but atleast we showed in the second half that we can stand up and be counted when the going gets tough. Pride and passion can be powerful weapons when harnassed in the right way. Well done boys on a strong second half performance, and please remember the pain and hurt of coming off at half time having been second best, and endeavour to never be found wanting again, when you step over the white line.  Man of the Match was Edelman for a hard working second half performance when pushed out on to the left flank - well done.
 
Match report:  MMcG

BATTLING DRAW EARNED AWAY TO DAGENHAM AS BOYS DIG DEEP
 
With one point separating the sides and all to play for, we knew travelling to Dagenham that it would be a tough day's work ahead of us, and so it proved. In the first half both teams had chances but failed to execute the final finishing touch, the nearest being a great drive by Walker, which bounced back of the post, unfortunately for us not quite in line for a fast approaching Grafton. The back four and Orme where busy throughout with Dann, Coates and Banks all standing firm and the team superbly lead by Griffin forming a defensive rock of a wall, which appeared 20ft tall at times, as time and again he stopped Dagenham in their tracks. Half time came with neither team having broken the deadlock, so we tried some formation changes to push for a result. Applewhaite and Sumithran dropped into defence on the left and right sides, Harrington remained on the left wing and Edelman stayed in the middle, with Murphy joining him to add some teeth and bite, whilst McGilloway in a Man of the Match performance moved out onto the right wing and terrorised the opposition with pace and touch. Up front, Walker and Grafton ran their legs off all day despite the low scoring result. The deadlock was finally broken by Dagenham who briefly secured a 0 : 1 advantage managing to squeeze through the middle, but in a new and positive development this season, our boys head's didn't go down and within minutes were back on level terms. McGilloway, having battled all the way down the wing, finally secured a corner, which was well delivered by Grafton into the danger area, where following a moments chaos, Walker drove his shot past an outstreatched keeper to level the scores 1 : 1. Both teams pushed for the winner as the game drew to a close, in a tense and passionate final ten minutes, but with avail, the best chance probably falling to Dagenham, however fortunately for us the ball ran along the line where the danger was finally cleared by Sumithran.  Great to see a second game on the trot where we have really stood up and battled, refusing to be intimidated by the home team. Now we know what it takes to secure points in this tough division, hopefully we can push on and turn some of these single points into three. We are now unbeaten in four games, and beginning to look more solid. Back to the Cup next week boys, so no time to rest. Well done, keep it up.
 
Match report:  MMcG

VALUABLE 3 POIINTS EARNED AS FOXES ESTABLISH TOP DOG STATUS AND SILENCE THE TIGERS ROAR
 
It might have been a cold morning, but parents and supporters were soon warmed up in this red hot, end to end encounter, with both teams being attack minded from the off. Following chances at both ends we initially went 0 : 1 down with a breakaway goal by Tigers, but fair credit to our boys their heads didn't go down and they promptly battled back, and with pressure in the Tigers box, Walker reacted smartly to a through ball to level the scores 1 ; 1. The half continued and Grafton gave us a 2 : 1 lead with aN unstoppable shot into the top corner when racing onto another through ball. The Tigers wouldn't lie down and fought back to level the scores again at 2 : 2, and then took the lead  2 : 3 with some great finishing, giving Orme little chance between the sticks. At this stage we were clinging on and looking forward to a respite at half time, when fortunately for us Edelman popped up in the box to finish coolly to allow both teams to go in at half time with honours even 3 : 3. Finally a chance to let the blood pressure settle down.  With strong wordS ringing in the boys ears at half time, we send the boys back out with a slightly changed formation, and clear instructions to take control of the game, shut down the Tigers attacking options and leave the pitch with a win. To a Man, the boys all did a fantastic job in the second period, denying any further clear goal scoring opportunities to the Tigers and continuing to cause an attacking threat throughout. Eventually we got our reward when Walker got his second of the game when again reacting sharply within the box to a near post corner.  Fantastic result today boys, Tigers are a good side and we matched them around the pitch, and came away with 3 points in an entertaining encounter, you were all MEN OF THE MATCH.
 
Match report:  MMcG          

Disappointing draw as we fail to put away our chances
 
We travelled to Colebrook with high hopes on Sunday on the back of a great cup win last week, but for some reason this week we just didn't get our fluent game going and things didn't go our way. To be fair we created a reasonable number of decent chances but we were unable to find the back of the net - looks like lots of shooting practice in training next week. We took the lead twice 0 : 1 and 1 : 2 but on both occasions failed to kill the game off, and let Colebrook fight their way back into the game by not closing them down, picking up the runners and making the tackles count, to break up the oppositions possession and play.  With us having already missed several decent chances, Grafton struck our first being the quickest to react in the box when their goalie spilled the ball, after a decent attacking move by our front players, and our second was event better with some great fast flowing football being played, turning defence into attack, with McGilloway providing the killer ball into the path of Walker to finish cleanly.  All in all however a disappointing day, as with the number of chances we created we should have finished the game off. We have got to learn to be a lot more mean and stop gifting points to the other teams around us, with sloppy play. With only one point to show for our endeavours this week, and similar points slipped in recent weeks, we need to start turning some of these leads into victories. Our style of football deserves better, and when we play we can be impressive, we just have to be more clinical for the entire game, and go on to punish teams when we secure leads.
 
Match report:  MMcG

PREMIERSHIP SCALP FOR WOODFORD AS BOYS DIG DEEP TO WIN CLASSIC CUP ENCOUNTER
 
Everybody went home happy after this gripping cup encounter away to Aztec. Woodford started the brighter and took the game to the home side from the off, playing some good fast flowing, atacking football, and you would question which team were the premiership sides as we matched our higher division opposition man for man. Early nerves were settled as we took a 0 : 1 lead with a great through ball by Applewhaite, met brillantly by Walker who finished in style. We didn't settle back and continued to press, and by half time had secured a 0 : 2 lead with again Walker ( who was a handful all day ) finishing with touch and skill. The crowd were really getting behind our boys, enjoying the cup atmosphere, and you could tell the boys wanted this badly as we were playing some of our best football of the season.  Aztec clearly were spoken to at half time as they came out after the break a different team, and brought the scores back to 1 : 2 within 1 minute cutting throught the heart of our defence - we really must learn to switch on as soon as the whistle goes, as these lapses are costing us points in the league. Aztec were now throwing everything at us, and the long ball through the middle for the pace of their forwards to race onto was always a danger. Nevertheless we held firm and increased our lead to 1 : 3 with Harrington in the box. At this stage we thought we had won it, but Aztec being the good side that they are continued to work hard and with ten minutes to go, pulled the scores back to 2 : 3. We were now in for a grandstand finish as both teams gave it their all to secure that vital final goal. Unfortunately for us it fell to Aztec and despite our boys best efforts the scores finished at normal full time 3 : 3.  Ten further minutes each way of extra time failed to separate the teams as chances fell at both ends, but nobody was able clinch that vital final goal, and as tired bodies came off at the end we all knew everybody to a man ( boy ) could not have given any more.  The dreaded penalties followed, but the boys stepped up bravely knowing they still had a job to do. Aztec went first and scored, and Orme levelled matter 1 : 1 immediately thereafter. Aztec missed their next spot and unfortunately Walker did likewise clipping the top of the bar and going over. Orme them gave us a glimmer of hope by saving Aztec's next kick and Griffin stepped up to coolly finish to give us a 1 : 2 lead. The next two penalties were tucked away by Aztec and Harrington for us, to give us a lead of 2 : 3 going into the final round of spot kicks. Orme ( who had already saved one penalty ) got his moment to be a hero, as he managed to guess right and deny Aztec, making McGilloway's final penalty unnecessary.  The boys, fans and parents rightly enjoyed this great win, and hopefully this will give our boys the confidence to go forward into the reminder of the season believing that we are good enough to not only survive, but flourish in a tough Division.
Well done today boys, you were all MEN OF THE MATCH.
 
Match report:  MMcG

Two great goals, but we fail to hold on to lead as points are shared with local neighbours
 
On the back to 2 defeats to table topping sides, we knew we needed to be on top form today against last season's premiership side Buckhurst hill, and the boys didn't disappoint as we took the game to our opponents in the first period, with the majority of play in their half. After several chances, we got our first clear opportunity when Walker was brought down by their goalie in the box whilst trying to round the keeper. Unfortunately today would prove not to be Walkers day, as his penalty was placed just wide of the post. Heads didn't go down and we battled on, but a long ball throght the middle gave Buckhurst Hill a break away goal against the run of play, and we needed to recover from 0 : 1 down. After a brief period of readjusting the boys picked up their game and just before half time a fine period of play culiminating in a smart cross by Harrington which was met by Sumithran in the box on the volley and slammed into the back of the net. Half time 1 : 1.
Buckhurst Hill came out the stronger in the second half, but we held firm and repelled their attacks with some fine defending and we remained in the game. Some more superb play result in a through ball being played by Walker into the path of an on running Garfton, who took the ball in his stride and sharply drove it into the net past the diving keeper. 2 : 1 to Woodford. We held out for another 10 minutes before we failed to properly clear a corner and Buckhurst Hill recovered the score to 2 : 2. More chances came and went in the final minutes as we desperately tried to secure all 3 points, but to no avail, as the final whistle went with the scores tied at 2 : 2.
Well done today boys, some great football and 2 superb goals. We are getting close in all games, and with a little bit more luck and continued hard work in training we can turn these single points into three points.
Special mention must also go to Dann and Grafton who both had good games playing out of position today.
 
Match report:  MMcG

Game of two halfs as Woodford fail to hold on to half time lead.
 
We travelled to Lakeview knowing we would be in for a tough game, with Lakeview having secured two high scoring victories in the league to date. In the first half we more than matched them, and deserved to go in at half time 0 : 1 up. All our boys battled and denied Lakeview the possession and space which we assume they must have enjoyed in their earlier two games. Our goal came early in the game, with McGilloway causing panic in the box, ball came out to Edelman on the left hand edge of the box, who played a well placed lob over the reach of an outstretched keeper, into the top RH corner. Lakeview threatened to get back on terms throughout the first spell but we held firm, and frustation was beginning to show on the opposition as they were denied any real clear cut chances. Half time came and went and the Boys knew Lakeview would continue to press for an equalizer, and they eventually got some reward when poor set piece defending from a corner again resulted in us conceding from an un-opposed header ( 1 : 1 ). All was still to play for, but to be fair we created little chances for ourselves in the second period, and our midfield struggled to impose themselves on the game ( against predominately physically bigger boys ). We absorbed a significant amount of pressure, but failed to clear our lines too often when given the opportunity, and eventually Lakeview struck again to give them a 2 : 1 lead. Both teams battled on, but Lakeview never looked like conceding the lead once secured.  A draw might have been fair today based on our first half performance, but to be frank we don't deserve points if we fail to defend set pieces, and continue to give away leads.  Lots to work on going forward. We have now played two of the top sides in the division in sucessive weeks and in both games given a good account of ourselves and not been outplayed, whilst elsewhere they have both secured high scoring victories. This tells you our boys are good, but missing that little difference or edge between good and top of the table material. If we can just find the right formation or missing link, this team could compete with the very best of them. Sometimes we are missing that real want, passion, desire and maturity, which makes the dfference between a good side and great sides. Keep believing, and remember they both have to play us in the opposing fixture, which having been pushed hard, neither team will be looking forward to the return leg.
 
Match report:  MMcG

Poor second half and inability of defend set pieces gifts Senrab victory.
 
The Boys started well in out first home game of the season and contained a strong Senrab side for the first period with the half time score 0 : 0. Chances fell at both ends and we created our fair share as both teams tested each other in a tough battle with no quarter given, without either side being able to make that clinical breakthrough. Man of the Match Orme was in fine form between the sticks, and made some top draw saves to keep us in the game, ably assisted by a strong back four. To be fair Senrab had the best of the chances, but we matched them around the park and the scoreline at half time was probably a fair reflection of play. To try and push for a goal, we changed things at half time, however still trying to keep the same basic shape, and as happens in Football the game turned in one moment of either skill or poor concentration. In this case, a poorly defended corner gave Senrab a clean header and they took their chance well to give themselves a narrow advantage 0 : 1. We continued to battle and created limited chances of our own, and it was obvious the next goal would be critical. Unfortunately for us it went to Senrab, in a move which possibly should have been stopped as the ball was clearly out of play when crossed into our box. ( 0 : 2 ) We continued to battle and Grafton came on as a second half substitute, and almost made an instant impact as his free kick was cleared off the line. Our clear cut chances today were few as we struggled to penetrate through the heart of Senrab, and they got a third goal towards the end of the game ( unfortuantely through another set piece corner ).  The final score of 0 : 3 slightly flattered Senrab, as we matched them for long periods, but they probably deserved to come out winners. Lots to work on in training, and its important to see how we react in our next game, after our first taste of defeat this season. Three points dropped, but with hard work we can move on and continue the improvement seen in recent weeks.
 
Match report:  MMcG

Impressive start to new season as Foxes prove too strong for Grays.
 
All the pre match hype and nerves finally came to an end on Sunday morning as we kicked off our new season in some style with an impressive 0 : 2 away win, to newly promoted 2008/09 Div B Champions Grays A. Having concluded our pre-season fixtures with an excellent tournament win at Southend last Sunday confidence was high amongst the boys and fitness evident as we took the game to Grays from the start, playing like the home side. It was pleasing to see all of the boys stuck to their allocated jobs, kept the team shape and controlled the game for large parts. Grays are clearly a decent side with good techincal players, and will no doubt again prove a stiff challenge later in the season as they establish themselves in the division. Both our goals came in the first half, with McGilloway providing the service into Sumithran on the right hand side, with the ball smartly crossed for Walker to finish accurately inside the box, and the second with Walker providing the cross for Harrington to finish beyond the reach of the diving keeper.  In a fine team performance it would be unfair to mention any particular individuals as all the 14 boys we had to choose from were superb, and have therefore been all jointly awarded 'Men of the Match'.  We started at the back with Orme who made a couple of Premier League saves when called upon, with Coates, Griffin ( Capitan ), Banks and Dann immediately in front playing with confidence and belief. Murphy swept in front and ran all day, with a battling Edelman and McGilloway filling the midfield births, providing the service and support to our flying wings of Harrington and Sumithran and the target man Walker proving a handful for any defence. With a few more boys to choose from this season we changed things at half time with Applewhaite, Grafton and Winfield coming into the action and with a fresh pair of legs created further opportunities.  Great start and 3 points in the bank, lots of hard work ahead and things to work on in training, but the boys are now a year older and it showed in their approach, strength, and work rate throughout, in a deserved win.
 
Match report:  MMcG