Woodford Youth Football Club

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Who overindulged over Xmas? Certainly not our boys, hitting the ground running, after recent fixture cancellations, was the request - and how the boys delivered. PARSONS opened the scoring just after the kick off with a looping shot over the keeper assisted by FRANCIS.  The lead was short lived as LOASS equalised with a terrific shot on the the of the box.  The reaction of our boys, instead of backing off, just seemed to spur them on to move up gear.  More link play and communication throughout the whole team allowed FRANCIS to tap in from close range after good approach work. Mistakes were unusually being made by a strong LOASS side, allowing PARSONS to grab his second, following in after a fumble by the keeper.  The first half carried on with our boys retaining the majority of possession and dealing with what little threat LOASS offered.  FRANCIS netted his second just before the break with his growing reputation of his turn of pace and strike across goal, comfortably taking his tally to nine so far this season. The second half carried on much the same with our boys holding their own, although being unable to extend their lead, this was no concern as their discipline is showing and the ability to close out games is more of a reward. The central defensive partnership of VASU and KUFORIJI, as well as THOMPSON and KWETE is solid and with the midfield being so well balanced anyone on the subs bench knows they have a fight on their hands to get on. A very solid and confident display by goalkeeper BURTON to win MAN OF THE MATCH showing the way for the rest of the team.

Match report:  V V, a still very jubilant Manager.

A well fought out display against a TIGERS side showing true grit and ability where with better finishing could have brought them more reward , after holding back this early threat our boys moved up a gear resulting in better communication and link play where the lesson in finishing was given. FRANCIS opened the scoring after good approach play by AGYEI feeding the top scoring striker to finish in his distinctive explosive style, GARBER smashed the second from the edge of the box into the top corner again after good challenging work by AGYEI, the third was scored just before half time with an opportunist strike by MERRITT from the outside the box assisted by a deflection over the stranded goalie but we will take all the luck we can. The second half resumed in much the same vein with our boys enjoying the majority of possession but being unable to finish the game off in the final third, the alarm bells started ringing after TIGERS scored with what seemed their first real attempt at goal but rather than folding and laying down as in past performances our boys showed their true ability and growing maturity by closing ranks and digging deep to hold back any further threat, the resumption of possession resulted in good link play and more chances with GARBER unfortunate to hit the bar after smashing a LEFT footed strike from outside the box , fortunately FRANCIS reacted first to show his growing predatory instinct to pounce on the rebound to score his second of the game.
An overall gritty performance by our boys showing at last that they are bonding as a team not forgetting that we had four squad players out through injury.  AGYEI deservedly won Man of the Match after a convincing performance on his WOODFORD debut.

Match report:  V V, a more jubilant manager

COMMITMENT! COMMITMENT! COMMITMENT! The only words to describe our performance against a LOASS side of whom we have bitter experience in trying to break down.  The link play, tracking back, closing down and challenging was just exquisite. Francis opened the scoring early on with his trade mark turn of pace to slot home rather fortunately under the keeper.  This luck which has been lacking in recent games seemed to spur our boys on, committed to keeping a clean sheet.  The second goal came in the latter part of the first half when Garber knocked in after good work from Francis. The defensive central partnership of Lennon, Vasu, Kuforiji and Kwete again held back any threats, this time backed up by a rejuvenated midfield being held firm by Merritt and St. Hill.  Burton gratefully returning in goal after a long injury absence was forced to make a few cameo clearances to remind LOASS where the goal was. The second half was much the same, with our possession dictating the play; Garber unfortunate to hit a post, Vasu having a free kick saved round a post and a goal box game of ping pong which should have been put away.  LOASS were forced to having pot shots outside the box to no avail. A revitalising performance with Merritt deservingly picking up Man of the Match with a faultless display, although it must be said that he was also pushed close by other team mates.

Match report:  V V, a very jubilant manager

Firstly I would like to say how proud of my boys I am.  We only had ten players today, no goalie, no top scorer and we lost a couple more key players to injury in training yesterday.  I still can't believe we have lost this game 4-1.  No, I have not lost the plot and the people in white coats are not taking me away either! You had to be there to see this game. My team talk was simple today; enjoy the game and give me 110% and that is exactly what you did. The coach of Newham said to my striker Francis that he could of had fifty goals today, a slight exaggeration but not far from the truth! When their goalie was not making fantasic saves, the bar and post was saving them. Francis who cut a lone figure up front, was far too quick for them and they could not cope with his pace. Merritt started in centre midfield today along with St. Hill, and had his best game for us today. With Garber back to his best and the impessive Edelman on the left, our midfield totally resembled a unit today. Newham are big and physical but we more than matched them in this area. We were playing great one touch football and setting up chance atfer chance. The back four of Thompson, Remi, Vasu, and Kwete were superb again we just need that bit of luck which has deserted us at the moment. When we get our squad back to full strength, we will be fine at this level if we continue to put in performances like that. Thanks again to Parsons for going in goal, hopefully our goalie will be back next week.  Lastly, Newham only had four shots all game and scored from all of them.  Also, I have been critical of some of my boys' commitment in the last month.  Today I take all that back, you were great boys - Parsons, Thompson, Vasu, Remi, Kwete, Merritt, St Hill, Edelman, Garber, Francis - I salute you!

Match report:  A very proud and upbeat coach

Okay boys, where do I start this week? I really don't know.  The performance again was not good enough. This is a hard division and if you keep putting in performances like this then we will get beaten every week. The midfield area is causing us most concern at the moment, we are simply not competing here.  I lost count of how many times we never got any challenges in and how many free headers our opponents had.  When we do play football and play the ball on the floor, we can compete with any team in this division, but it's frustrating to watching you fail to do this despite continued instruction and encouragement. The difference today was E. Thurrock were really up for it; they were organised, wanted the ball more and simply (and easily) won the midfield battle.  Our back four are now beginning to feel the pressure as well and mistakes are now creeping in in this area.  I would like to say thanks to Parsons who went in goal today today and was fantasic and pulled of at least 5 wonderful saves, but we badly missed him in midfield today.  Yes we have got injuries and we are missing our goalie and top goal scorer, but we have got to get on with it.  Again, one our defenders was MOM and this is happening every week now.  Well done Remi on an excellent performance.  Also well done to Francis on his great goal and for staying on his feet when two over the top challenges went in.   Having kept the scoreline down, we had our chances, but failed to convert them.  We have got to be more ruthless in front of goal, we now want total commitment in training.  Anything less will not be acceptable.  I hope my next report is more rewarding.  Prove us wrong and dedicate yourselves to the cause.

Match report:  An unhappy coach.

Firstly, well done to the boys for putting in a battling performance today, after being down to the bare bones with 11 players and without our goalie.  I feared the worst but full credit to you for taking the game to Tigers.  It was always going to be a game of two halves, such was the ferocity of the wind today.  The game was generally scrappy, both teams tried to play football but today was about getting something out of this game.  Our goal today was sheer quality, a fantastic cross in found Parsons who rose above the Tigers’ defence to plant a bullet header into the far post giving the keeper no chance.  We had more chances to put this game out of sight but we went in at half time 1-0 up.  We knew the second half would be back to the wall stuff, but we still tried to play football and although Tigers had more chances, we were still creating our own and a couple of times Dooney could have put this game beyond our opponents reach but eventually Tigers scored and it finished all level at 1-1.  A fair result for both teams who never stopped battling.  A special mention goes to our 3 goalies today - well done Merritt, Tijani and Dooney and a great defensive display earned Vasu our Man of the Match award.  Again, well done boys, it puts our second half display last week to bed.  Keep it up.
 
Match report: GT

An OK first half and a dreadful second half performance put paid to any hope of progression in this competition.  The back four aquitted themselves well, but mistakes were inevitable given the circumstances.  Losing a game will not be an issue in this team, IF 100% effort is displayed (think back to our opener against Boca), but now is the time for back to basics.  Hard work, committment and focus, all of which were lacking in this performance, will be the minimum requirement in both match day and training situations.  We were out-muscled and out-fought in the midfield today, despite the talent and potential we have in this area. Well done MOM Parsons who went in goal and performed very well.  Also, well done to Thompson who maintained his 100% record in penalty taking to put us 1-0 up, which should have been the platform for us to go on and win this game.

Match report:  GT

Well done boys.  What a great performance you put in today.  Every player today gave us 110%.  I was critical of you in my last report because you under achieved but today you were totally the opposite.  The back four again today were superb, Thompson, Vasu, Kuforiji and Man of the Match Kwete  were strong along with another excellent goalkeeping performance from Burton.  This is how I know you can play and we are now beginning to gel.  The midfield of Merritt, Lennon and St. Hill were playing admirably with Dooney playing just in behind Tijani.  The lively and impressive Garber, who I thought had his best game for us in a while, and it was from his persistence that we found ourselves 1-0 up, closed down their defence, got his toe in and scored with an excellent shot, and that’s how the first half finished.  The second half started in much the same vein and it wasn’t long before we found ourselves 2-0 up after Parsons hit an excellent half volley to give the keeper no chance.  We now began to dominate and it was not long before we were 3-0 up after Francis’ great cross found Edelman who made no mistake.  We were now beginning to launch wave attack after attack and Dooney scored to put the game out of Tigers reach to complete a very impressive day.  Again, well done to you all, and now let’s carry this forward to next week as we have another hard game in the Cup.  Also, well done to Tigers A who never stopped battling.  From a very happy, happy coach.
 
Match report: GT

Boys oh boys, when are we gonna learn that each half is 35 minutes and not 20?  The first 15 minutes of the first half you were simply awful. No leadership, stray passing, and the first touch of some of our boys today was terrible.  Its basic football boys, and we are doing all the simple things wrong and it is so frustrating.  We were 3-0 down inside of 10 minutes and it was only then that we decided to wake up and start talking to each other.  The rest of the half was better.  At half time me and Vij did our best to rally you and it seemed to work because you were a different team in the second half.  You were first in the challenges, neat passing and you were now talking to each other, it was just so much better.  Debden are a good team, big and physical but we more than matched them and I thought we were on top for much of the second half.  The introduction of Tijani up front made a big difference and he played very well there. There were now some excellent performances across the pitch and the back four, I thought, were once again excellent.  Who knows what would have happened had Tijani's shot gone in and not hit the post which would have made it 3-2 with 5 minutes to go.  However, that's football and it is now back to basics.  Needless to say have an early night on Friday.  Also, I would like to bring up the subject of St. Hill playing today after failing to show up at training on Saturday. It is something that me and Vij are going to review, because we are fair and will try to give all the boys a decent run over the course of the season, and we will definitely not be having one rule for one and one for another.  Tijani was our Man of the Match today as he gave us that little bit extra up front in the second half.  Well done boys only on your second half performance, which was encouraging but all too late.  From a very despondant coach.
 
Match report: GT

This game has to be one of the best that I have been involved in as a manager/coach.  It had everything from great goals to goal line clearances.  Five times in this game we took the lead and five times Catholic refused to lie down and clawed their way back into this game.  The action started as early as the 3rd minute when a long kick from Burton found the lively Francis who after fine control slotted the ball in to put us 1-0 up.  Minutes later another punt up field found the pacey Francis who again, was too quick for the Catholic defence and we were now 2-0 up but we know how good a team Catholic are and they scored two quick goals to put the game all level.  However, it wasn't long before Dooney found his shooting boots, took on two players and found the bottom left hand corner to put us 3-2 up.  Again, Catholic went on to equalise and it it wasn't long before Francis completed his hattrick with a coolly lobbed shot to put us 4-3 up at half time.  The second half started in much the same vein with both sides taking it in turns to attack and again Catholic equalised.  We once again grabbed the initiative and fine work by Tijani put us 5-4 up.  Surely that was it, but with the minutes ticking away Catholic's persistence paid off and they finally equalised and it finished all square at 5-5.  It was now 10 minutes each way and still both teams went for it, only this time both goalies came out on top.  So it was now down to penalties and Thompson was first up.  He picked his corner - the goalie got a hand to it but it went over the line.  Lennon then scored along with Parsons and Vasu.  Our goalie Burton pulled off two fantastic saves and one of their penalties went wide.  Unfortunately Kuforiji missed his penalty after the goalie pulled off a great save but we went through 4-2 on penalties.  It was a fantastic team effort and everyone played their part.  My head is still spinning as so much went on in this game.  Credit goes to a spirited Catholic team who refused to lie down and good luck to them for the rest of their season.  We gave Francis Man of the Match for his hattrick but it could so easily have been several others. Again, well done to every one of you from a deliriously (older) happy coach.
 
Match report: GT

The scoreline does not do us justice today.  With most of our midfield from last season now gone and without newest signing Merritt (injured), along with Lennon and Sooriyacumar not fit, we were down to bare bones for our first game.  We decided to play a 4-5-1 formation with Tijani playing up front on his own.  We were desparately unlucky not to get anything from this game today.  We only conceded to a free kick and a penalty but the boys can take plenty of heart from this game as they put in a real battling performance.  With five new signings making their debuts it will take time for them all to gel.  Our new goalie Burton was not overworked in goal but calmly dealt with anything put his way.  The back four of Thompson, Vasu, St Hill and Kuforiji were very impressive and only a couple of what can be described as controversial decisions were to be our undoing.  Kwete was working well with Dooney in the centre of midfield along with Parsons who was particulary impressive on the right.  Francis also settled in well in midfield along with the impressive Edelman on the left.  It was not long before we equalised through a cracking half volley from Edelman.  We now took the game to Boca and started to dominate.  Boca are a good footballing team and the game was fast with both teams trying to play football.  We went in all square at half time.  The second half got under way and we were the better side.  We started to pepper the Boca goal only to find their keeper in fine form.  It was at this point I thought we would go on to win comfortably  but then the ref gave Boca a penalty when the ball hit Kuforiji's hand.  I have seen these decisions given and not given, only this time it went against us and the Boca striker coolly struck to put them 2-1 up.  We continued to attack and wth five minutes to go Dooney turned and hit a half volley which Boca's goalie pulled off a wonderful save.  I now knew it was not going to be our day today.  Well done boys - keep putting in performances like that and we will win more than we will lose this season.  The ref congratulated me at the end and said what a good battling team we had and that it was a pleasure to ref such a good game.  I totally agree.   Our Man of the Match today was Thompson who put in a near perfect performance at right back.
 
Match report: GT