Woodford Youth Football Club

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Woodford Youth U9A crashed out of the Challenge Cup in the semi-final after coming up short against a skilful Byron team. The Foxes, as is their want, started slowly and spent most of the first half under attack. Dady and Swan thwarted numerous attacks and MOM Lefevre was magnificent in defending his goal against a series of long range efforts. A goal was perhaps inevitable and it came from a free-kick near the touchline about 25 yards out. The ball was expertly tossed into the penalty area and headed into the net. Woodford had very few scoring opportunities in the first half as they struggled to get out of their own half. At one point Parsons was released with only the keeper to beat, but scuffed her shot wide. On another occasion, Cannon opened up the right side of the field, but was unable to get a shot away. After the break, Solanki and Bibbs took over defensive responsibilities and Dady and Swan moved into midfield. More importantly, the team started to play like they wanted to be in the cup final and we had a different game on our hands.  Play switched from end to end with perhaps Woodford having a slight edge. On several occasions Ellis danced through the defence, but to his chagrin found no support in the penalty area, the midfield apparently being indifferent to scoring. Byron had far fewer chances on goal than in the first half, and Bibbs and Solanki dealt with them calmly and with assurance.  As the game drew to a close, it looked as if there would be no further scoring. Then the ball fell kindly to a Byron player who finished well. 2-0. The Foxes appeared to be down and out, but they refused to give up. Bibbs demonstrated this determination as he picked the ball out of the net and ran to the centre spot eager to restart. Everyone pushed forward and the ball found its way to Bickmore on the left. He floated a cross (shot?) into the goal mouth, which Ellis volleyed into the roof of the net. 2-1. Woodford tried desperately to get the equaliser, but it was not to be and ultimately they paid the price for a lacklustre first half. We wish Byron well in the final. They certainly deserve to lift the trophy for their on-field performance as well the sporting behaviour of their supporters and management. The Oranges will turn their attention to the league...... 

Team: Lefevre, Bibbs, Solanki, Ellis, Swan, Parsons, Dady, Cannon, Bickmore  

Match report:  TB

Having heard that league leaders Byron had lost in an earlier game, Woodford Youth started this game knowing that a victory would see them head the Echo League Premier Division. However, the opportunity was squandered. The Oranges took command of the game from the kick-off and put Senrab under constant pressure. The passing combinations between Dady, Bickmore, Cannon and MOM Parsons were a pleasure to behold. Senrab’s massive goalkeeper protected his goal for a long period, but eventually Woodford scored through a fierce drive from Bickmore, which the keeper could not hold. Victory appeared to be all too easy for Woodford and more goals were expected. However, when a Senrab counter-attack reached Foxes’ penalty area, three defenders failed to clear the ball out of the mud and an attacker too easily put the ball past keeper Lefevre, who had had very little to do. The Woodford team was confident at the turnaround, but conceded again soon after the restart from a long distance strike. Unbelievably they were 2-1 down. The Oranges continued to dominate the game and had innumerable strikes on goal –  some accurate, but without power, and some off target. Swan was a powerhouse, but could not convert. Parsons, Ellis and (even) Bibbs had chances, but failed to find the back of the net. Eventually, Cannon struck the ball into the top of the net from just outside the penalty area and levelled the scores. There were 4 minutes left to play and Woodford tried everything to win the game, but it was not to be. 

Team:   Lefevre, Bibbs, Bickmore, Ellis, Swan, Parsons, Dady, Cannon  

Match report:  TB

This quarter final cup game between two of the top teams in the area – and fierce local rivals – was always going to be tough battle with no quarter given and so it proved. On this occasion Woodford were successful and progress to the semi-finals, but it took penalties to separate the sides. Ryan started the game slightly stronger, but all of their attacks were snuffed out by the new defensive combination of Dady and Swan, and keeper Lefevre had little to do. As the half progressed, the advantage swung Woodford’s way with Parsons and Cannon testing the flanks and Bickmore and Ellis pursuing the central channel. However, the Ryan defence was equal to everything thrown at it. The passing was somewhat erratic, perhaps reflecting the tension felt by both teams. Solanki and Bibbs took over defensive responsibilities in the second half for the Foxes with Swan and Dady pushing forward. However, little changed, with play surging from one end of a small pitch to the other and both defences holding firm. As the game drew to a close, Ryan got stronger, but there was no goal to break the deadlock. And so the game had to be resolved by penalties. Woodford took the initiative with fine strikes by Solanki, and Bickmore and the usual heroics from Lefevre. Swan converted the final kick of the game and Woodford marched on in the completion. Our thoughts go to Ryan, who gave everything and, as always, were gallant adversaries. Unfortunately, there had to be a winner in this game. The MOM award was shared by all the Woodford players in recognition of the valiant efforts they all made. However, special mention must go to Captain Dady for the series of magnificent goal-saving tackles that he put in. 

Team:   Lefevre, Bibbs, Solanki, Ellis, Swan, Parsons, Dady, Cannon, Bickmore

Match report:  TB

Woodford Youth U9A team tasted defeat for the first time this season in a top-of-the-table clash with a highly motivated and skilful Byron side. Despite the Oranges’ best efforts, they were never really in this game. From the kick-off Byron put Woodford under pressure and it was not long before they took a deserved lead. Their passing game was excellent and it was only thanks to some desperate defending and magnificent goalkeeping that there were not more goals. As the first half wore on, the Foxes began to get into the game and some promising attacks did develop. However, the accuracy of the final pass was poor allowing the well organised defence to thwart all efforts. There were few shots on goal. In the home fixture against Byron earlier this season Woodford were 2-0 down at half time and came back strongly in second half to secure a well deserved draw. This time it was not to be and the second half’s play followed the same pattern as that of the first. Byron skilfully constructed attack after attack and Woodford, failing to exert pressure up the field, were left to defend their goal. As a result, Byron added two more goals to their tally. If it had not been for the heroics of MOM Lefevre there would surely have been more. Woodford’s attacks were limited by poor distribution from the back and a lack of determination up front.  The Oranges did get a consolation goal thanks to a mesmerising solo effort from Ellis. This victory means that Byron leapfrogs Woodford into first position in the Essex league. However, their lead is only two points and Woodford has a game in hand. The title race is far from over! Hard work and determination are required from here on. 

Team: Lefevre, Bibbs, Solanki, Ellis, Swan, Parsons, Dady, Cannon, Bickmore  

Match report:  TB

In the third round of the cup, Woodford found themselves up against opposition from a lower division. But Dagenham, who are top of their division with pretensions to go far, were no pushover. The Foxes elected to play with the strong wind in the first half, but made little of this significant advantage. True, they led 1-0 at the break, but failed to dominate the half. Although, Dagenham never looked like scoring, they did mount a number of good attacking moves. The Woodford goal, when it came, was sweet. Ellis played a ball across the face of the Dagenham goal and Parsons popped up on the far post to squeeze the ball between the keeper and the post. The Oranges faced the wind in the second half, but upped their game in response. Inevitably, given the wind advantage, Dagenham spent more time in the Woodford half than they had during the first period. However, Bibbs, Solanki, Dady et al, kept them at bay. LeFevre was both brave and decisive between the sticks. Without the benefit of the wind, the Foxes began to play shorter balls along the floor and this paid dividends. Parsons up the left flank and captain Bickmore up the right were especially effective. The second goal came after Bickmore was upended when he burst into the penalty area. He coolly slotted in from the spot. Bickmore was also instrumental in the final goal when he played a lovely ball into the feet of Ellis on the far side of the penalty area. True to form Ellis made no mistake. Cannon picked up the MOM award for a great performance in attack and defence. 

Woodford congratulates Dagenham on a strong performance and wishes them well in the league. Their captain and goalkeeper both turned in excellent performances.

Team:  Lefevre, Bibbs, Bickmore, Ellis, Parsons, Dady, Solanki, Cannon. 

Match report:  TB

Woodford turned in a top quality performance to outclass a battling Romford Royals team in an entertaining game. As is their want, the Foxes started quietly and absorbed some good Romford pressure for the first five or ten minutes. Dady, Bibbs and Lefevre, with the support of the midfielders, were the equal of everything thrown at them Woodford gradually began to show their class and opened up the Royals’ defence with some quite wonderful passing. Parsons, who well deserved the MOM award, wrecked havoc down the left flank while Cannon was a mirror image down the right. Ellis and Swan in the middle were always threatening. The Oranges opened their account when Cannon played Swan into space well outside the penalty area and he rocketed the ball into the back of the net. Shortly thereafter, Ellis was played into space in the penalty area by Parsons and casually stroked the ball past the keeper. The Foxes came out for the second half full of confidence and continued where they left off at the end of the first half. The only change was positional with Swan dropping into defence and Dady moving up into midfield. Dady’s creativity was immediately on display and it was he that set up Ellis for his second goal. Although struggling against Woodford’s fluid play, the Royals never gave up and forced a series of corners. One of these was headed firmly into the back of the net. By the later stages of the game, the Royals defence was looking ragged and being pulled left and right by Woodford’s smooth passing. A good through ball from Dady found Ellis unmarked and he completed his hat-trick. A late Romford counter attack forced a defensive error and left one of their players with space in the Woodford half. He evaded the recovering defenders well and slotted the ball away to make the score respectable. 

Team:   Lefevre, Bibbs, Ellis, Swan, Parsons, Dady, Cannon  

Match report:  TB

This clash between the top two teams in the league took place in weather served up by the evil spirits of the preceding Halloween evening - the rain poured down and the wind howled! Despite this, the game pulsated and the quality of football was a credit to both sides. Byron started the brighter and a combination of pace and slick passing asked many questions of Woodford. Within minutes the defence had been caught out of position and the Oranges found themselves a goal down. The strong wind and poor positioning by the midfielders confined the Foxes to their own half for much of the first half. Giving Byron this much possession inevitably led to a second goal and Woodford turned around 2-0 down. The situation could have been worse but for some magnificent goalkeeping by MOM LeFevre. Hence the Oranges found themselves in the same position as they had been in at half time in the first two games of the season. Both of these games were eventually drawn and so there was no loss of confidence. Greater tenacity found the Foxes winning all the 50-50 balls in the second half and a much improved passing game cut the Byron midfield apart. Cannon and Bickmore were tireless and Solanki and captain Bibbs snuffed out the opposition’s attacking thrusts.  A goal was inevitable and a rejuvenated Ellis duly obliged. Swan dummied the defence and played the ball into Ellis at the near post who managed to get his foot over the ball and direct it into the back of the net. Minutes later Woodford were on equal terms. A powerful Swan free-kick was only partially cleared and Dady picked the ball up on the edge of the penalty area. He skipped past two defenders before shooting into the left side of the goal, giving the keeper no chance. Woodford continued to look for the winner and Parsons was unluckily denied by the post near the death.  

Team:   Lefevre, Bibbs, Bickmore, Ellis, Swan, Parsons, Dady, Solanki, Cannon

Match report:  TB

Woodford found themselves paired with EMH C in the second round of the cup and ably demonstrated the gulf between the first and seventh divisions. The Foxes were slow out of the blocks, but soon settled down and peppered the EMH C goal with shots. During the first half Parsons hit the target and Ellis and Bickmore both picked up a brace. However, the first half was not all one way traffic, and with the defenders, Solanki and Bibbs pushing forward, EMH engineered a slick attack and slotted past captain Lefevre on the second attempt. With the game won by the break, Woodford’s manager rang the changes. Cannon and Dady substituted for top goal scorers Ellis and Swan, Parsons and Bickmore took up defensive responsibilities and Bibbs and Solanki moved forward. If anything, the re-jigged team of the second half was more dominant than that of the first half. The passing at times was mesmeric and shot after shot was struck at the EMH goal. The fact that only two goals were added to the Oranges tally in the second half was partly down to poor finishing, but mostly down to a great performance from EMH’s reluctant goal keeper. Cannon and MOM Bibbs got the goals. Woodford thanks EMH C for being worthy opponents and wish them well in the league. They themselves look forward to tougher opposition in the next round.

Team:   Lefevre, Bibbs, Bickmore, Ellis, Swan, Parsons, Dady, Solanki, Cannon 

Match report:  TB

Woodford Youth went into this local derby full of confidence following some encouraging recent performances, but were met with solid resistance from the newly promoted Buckhurst Hill B team. The Foxes started the game with gusto, Ellis and Swan pushing through the middle and Parsons and Cannon supporting from the flanks. Within the first 10 minutes they could have taken a commanding lead with several opportunities being squandered. Swan missed the target and both Cannon and Ellis missed what should have been tap-ins. As time wore on the Oranges let The Hill get into the game. Woodford’s midfield failed to defend in the manner they have done over the last few weeks, but Solanki, Dady and Lefevre at the back snuffed out all opposition attacks. Dady, in particular, made countless fearless tackles before being forced off with a mouthful of blood. The second half continued where the first had left off with the familiar midfield fluidity missing from Woodford’s game. The team had plenty of attacking opportunities, particularly through Bickmore, but their failure to link up made it easy for the solid Buckhurst Hill defence to deny them scoring opportunities. Buckhurst Hill launched numerous attacks themselves, but never seriously threatened the Orange goal. The game was settled late in the second half by a beautifully struck free kick from Ellis. Woodford hung onto the lead for the last few minutes with MOM and captain Solanki leading the defence of the line. Buckhurst Hill must be applauded for the way in which they have adapted to the rigours of the top division, while still playing attractive football.

Team:   Lefevre, Solanki, Dady, Bickmore, Ellis, Swan, Parsons, Cannon.

Match report:  TB

Team:   Lefevre, Bibbs, Bickmore, Ellis, Swan, Parsons, Dady, Solanki.

Match report:  TB

Match report:  TB

Team:   Lefevre, Bibbs, Solanki, Dady, Bickmore, Ellis, Swan, Parsons, Cannon. 

Match report:  TB