Woodford Youth Football Club

With Christmas and New Year celebrations behind us the football addicts that make up the Orange Army ventured to Colchester for a friendly against Eastern Junior Alliance side Chelmsford City.  The Woodford squad comprised of our regular players, new signings and trialists and the game was set for 4 x 20 minute periods on a 3G Astro surface.  Woodford were quickly into their stride and passed the ball well on the slick surface. New signing Ladyman was already showing himself to be a quality addition with his reading of the game and precise distribution.  Andrews and Rouse were a constant threat to the Chelmsford back line.
McDermott, Kenny and a trialist were winning the centre midfield battle so Woodford throughly deserved their first phase lead with a poachers goal from Adjei.  Going into the second phase the changes were rung and Chelmsford showed that they are a quality side with some incisive passing that put Woodford onto the back foot but the score remained 1-0.  The third phase was an even affair with Fox, Sherry and Gokcimen showing good ability both on and off the ball.  So the final 20 minutes began with Woodford holding a slender 1-0 advantage.  Despite Chelmsford pressure it was Woodford who scored with a well taken goal from one of the trialists.  So 2-0 to Woodford and a performance from all of the boys that even managed to warm us up in the Arctic weather conditions.  Good Luck to Chelmsford City for the rest of the season.

Match report:  An impressed Woodford Parent.

With a place in the last 16 at stake Woodford took to the field against Thurrock Tigers in an Essex County Cup tie played in monsoon like conditions.  During the first half Thurrock raced to a two goal lead leaving the boys in Orange with a mountain to climb in the second half.  The response was immediate with Woodford laying siege to the Thurrock goal throughout the second half and  goals from Mcdermott and Arbiso sending this enthralling cup tie into extra time.  During ET Mcdermott struck again...3-2 Woodford and in control of the match but to their credit Thurrock's heads did not drop and a long range shot  leveled the score and with the rain still teaming down we moved onto penalties. Woodford held their nerve and ran out 4-2 winners.  MOM was given to Sherry who in adverse conditions produced a performance of finesse and power.  Our next round opponents were Harold Hill. But they were unable to field a
side on the date of the tie so we meet Bowers and Pitsea in the Quarter Finals.  really looking forward to that one!

Match report:  A soaked Woodford Parent.

The boys in orange came up against a hard working and defence minded UPR side in this Echo Premier League game.  UPR posed a threat on the break but really Woodford had several chances to put this game beyond doubt. Ultimately we had to settle for just the one
goal, but a well crafted goal it was.  Arbiso played a delicious ball into Adjei, who inside the area, could have shot, but instead squared the ball to Andrews who calmly side footed home for 1-0 Woodford.  Anderson in goal and Hyland and Olubunmi in front of him enjoyed good games today as did the industrious McDermott and the versatile Gokcimen.  MOM was given to Kenny for another 8 out of 10 performance in the middle of the park.

Match report:  A satisfied Woodford Parent

In the build up to this crucial Premier league encounter, manager Rob Fox found himself with just eleven fit players to choose from.  With forward Gokcimen showing his versatility and playing at full back, the Foxes lined
up as follows: Anderson in goal, Gokcimen, Hyland, Olubunmi and Abraham made up the back four, Fox, Kenny, McDermott and Sherry the midfield quartet, Arbiso playing in behind lone forward Rouse.  Woodford played the first half into a fierce gale and produced a real
backs to the wall performance during this half with Hyland showing all his leadership qualities in organising the back four.  Fox, Kenny, McDermott and Sherry tackling like lions and Arbiso and Rouse closing down and trying to relieve the Senrab pressure.  In fact the boys were so committed that Senrab were unable to create a clear cut chance despite their waves of attacks.  The whistle blew and Woodford broke for their half time instructions with the knowledge that the gale would be blowing in their favour for the final 35 minutes.  But all was not well with McDermott and he was forced to step down due to illness.  So the boys in orange were sent out for the second half in a 4 3 2 formation and with instructions to deliver the three points that would take us to the top of the Premier.  What followed was an enthralling second half that a good Senrab side played an equal part in.  Olubunmi was immense at centre back and Abraham was seeing more of the ball on the left hand side.  Arbiso was now creating half chances for the ever willing Rouse.  Our winner came courtesy of Rouse, who received a pin point Arbiso ball, directing the ball into the Senrab six yard box which was deflected off an unfortunate Senrab defender into his own net.  1-0 Woodford.  The impressive Gokcimen was asked to come out of defence and help the inspired Sherry and Kenny in midfield. Fox had run himself into the ground and dropped into the right back position.  To their credit Senrab again came at Woodford and after an hour of football had their first clear cut chance that produced an astounding save from Anderson.  So into the last fifteen minutes, and the ten men of Woodford now started to gain the upper hand and quite remarkably even tried and succeeded in playing some possession football which for the first time in the match took the heat out of this encounter. So matters were bought to a close and Woodford were sent hurtling to the summit of the Echo Premier League.

I make no apologies for the above ramblings as this was, taking into account the circumstances, the finest performance I have witnessed as a parent and wanabee match reporter.  WELL PLAYED BOYS, you should be immensely proud of yourselves.  MOM was given to all ELEVEN players.

Match report:  A glowing Woodford Parent

The Orange army didn't have to travel far for this 'away' Echo Premier fixture versus Xcel!  What we witnessed was an impressive performance by Woodford, that for the first time this season could be called an all round team performance.  Xcel opened the scoring against the run of play with a speculative long range shot that some how found the top corner. To their credit Woodford didn't panic and led by Capt. Hyland carried on with their passing game knowing that further chances would come.  With Kenny now realigning his partnership with McDermott in the centre of the park, Woodford poured forward only to be frustrated by an over zealous linesman and wayward finishing.  But Rouse was not to be denied, with 2 goals just before half time including one expert finish.  2-1 to the boys in Orange at half time.  As the second half wore on Woodford became even more dominant with Abraham,Sherry and the powerhouse Andrews seeing plenty of the ball in the wide areas.  More goals were sure to come but what we didn't expect was the quality of them; two screamers from Andrews from the edge of the area gave Woodford a 4-1 victory that in no way flattered us. Well played boys!  Joint Man of the Match awards were given to Kenny and McDermott who both worked tirelessly for the cause.  A special mention to goalkeeper Anderson and defenders Hyland, Dalby, Olubunmi and Abraham who responded to recent criticism with solid performances today.  Finally good luck to several of our players who have been invited to attend trials at professional clubs over the coming weeks...just do what you do week in week out boys.

Match report:  A chuffed Woodford Parent (County Cup starts next Sunday)

After an unconvincing performance the previous week, Woodford U13's A started in determined fashion against Aztec in this Echo Premier League encounter.  With all the Woodford outfield players having many touches of the ball, the possession stats were at least 80%-20% in favour of the home team.  However, frustratingly the half-time score was only 1-0 in favour of the boys in orange courtesy of a successful penalty by McDermott, with Fox, Abraham and Adjei notable performers.  The second half produced the goal fest that the stats warranted.  With two from Fox (one a pen), and one a-piece from Rouse, Adjei and Gokcimen. The spirited Aztec side scored a consolation to give Woodford a 6-1 victory and move us up to third in the league table.  This game was further evidence that in the midfield and forward positions Rob and Andy have many options.  In fact two of our more offensive players were missing today through a Club suspension.  Without question these areas are operating well and competition for a starting berth is keen. But our defensive players and goalkeeper are not playing as a unit and, with the exception of Abraham, look short of confidence.  Man of the Match was Adjei for a performance of industry and talent.

Match report:  A reflective Woodford Parent

Woodford Youth U13's visited Valence Park on a sunny morning for an Echo league encounter with newly promoted Valence United.  The pitch was uneven at best and like all pitches in the area, desperate for some rain.  In the early encounters neither side were able to keep the ball and the Woodford forwards were constantly caught offside.  The hosts opened the scoring with a ball played through the centre of Woodford's defence that was uncleared and converted.  This sparked Woodford into action and McDermott, Gokcimen and Arbiso now controlled the centre of the park.  With probings from Fox and Sherry it was only a matter of time before the lively Rouse would convert the chances...and so he did...scoring two goals in quick succession to give the lead to Woodford. But Woodford's uncertainty was to strike again, with another defensive lapse, gifting Valence an equaliser.  2-2 at half-time.  The second half started in similar vein to the first, but this time Woodford opened the scoring with a goal from Gokcimen, which was followed by Rouse scoring a well deserved third for his hat-trick.  Just when Woodford's supporters thought they could relax...another weak goal was conceded...4-3 to Woodford and the next goal would be crucial.  Happily the goal went to Woodford with a brave effort by Gokcimen.  So the boys in Orange took the three points with a 5-3 victory. But the display offered more questions than answers...a busy Saturday training session lies ahead!  Well played to Valence United, who are more than good enough to play at this level.  Man of the Match awarded to Fox and Rouse.

Match report:  A relieved Woodford Parent

Woodford started well and were on the front foot but with Barca's first attack and against the run of play, Barca were awarded a penalty from which they scored. The tackle, which was deemed to be a foul, was perfectly timed and was met by applause and not one appeal, but the ref in his wisdom gave a penalty.  With the 'penalty' converted, the Woodford players felt hard done by and began to lose their shape, which contributed towards the game becoming end to end. Barca's long ball game is very difficult to play against with the midfield becoming redundant at times. Even the Barca defenders were trying to find the two big strong boys up front direct, not pretty, but effective. Half - time 0 - 0.  The second half started with some strange decisions by the ref, lots of free kicks for Barca, none for Woodford. Barca made it 2 - 0 with only their second shot on target.  Woodford immediately got one back with an own goal to make it 2 - 1. With everything to play for Woodford grew stronger and stronger and had goal line clearance after goal line clearance, and also hitting the woodwork.   Having checked our watches, the ref confirmed that 12 minutes remained.   I decided that if the score remained the same, the last 5 minutes would see Woodford switch to a 3-4-3 formation.  The boys in orange laid siege to the Barca goal, an equalizer looked iminent.  The last 5 minutes arrived, signalling the change of Woodford tactics, BUT NO!  The ref blew his whistle for full time.  Five minutes plus injury time still to play, but the man in the middle decided the game was over.  The Barca linesman remarked to me that the ref had blown early, confirmed by Woodford's two time keeper's watches, which read the same - five minutes still to play.  The match official was not interested in an explanation and walked away.  Barca's manager said there was nothing he could do.  MOM:  Dalby.
 
Once again the kids lose out because of an individual influencing the result of a game.  The continent might be right after all, could friendly fixtures only, be the way forward?
 
Well done to all the children who were great on both sides and tried so hard to earn an honest victory.  Well done also to both linesmen for your integrity and fair play.

Match report:  A jaded fan of football.