Woodford Youth Football Club

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After nearly 8 weeks sleeping and eating lots of mince pies, the Woodford C team came to a wet, and very muddy Academy to face Boca B.  From the outset it was obvious the Woodford team had too many pies over Christmas, and these had been retained in their stomachs! The pace was very slow on our side, whilst BOCA were out of the traps like a rabbit with a greyhound behind it!  BOCA used their physical presence to power through a sleepy Woodford midfield, and had a couple of good early chances. The Woodford defence decided that they wanted to be midfield players, leaving BOCA to use the wings to get past a non-exsistent  back line, only to kick the ball wide of the posts.  The Woodford coach then swapped over midfield and defence players, strengthening midfield, but weakening the defence, but at least we now had 2 defenders!  BOCA were still dancing past the Woodford midfield, and in the wide area's, only to be thwarted by the keeper Idris who was having a great game.  All of a sudden Mustafa decided to take the game by its horns, and made a tackle passing the ball up to Diplock, who had a shot, only for the BOCA keeper to save it, but suddenly drop the ball. Diplock took full advantage to tap the ball into the back of the net. 1-0 Woodford.  More attacking from BOCA through the middle made it feel like a goal was iminent from the home team, only for Mustafa to nick the ball in the midfield, and make the run to to BOCA goal, and thread it past the keeper. All against the run of play! 2-0 Woodford! Half time.  The Woodford coach decided to make some more changes, but with only 7 players and no subs the players were feeling the pain, and also the mince pies!  This time Woodford came out of the traps quickly only to slow down for a cup of tea, and watch BOCA attack time and time again with power. Again the Woodford keeper Idris was making saves to preserve the score line. Mukhtar got stuck in to stop surge after surge from BOCA.  Mustafa decided he liked what he saw in Mukhtar, and that he would have some of the action, and started tackle after tackle.  With Diplock, Ide, and Kullar now all getting involved, Kullar put a superb ball into the back of the net, then another Drogba-like shot out of nowhere, and then another, all through a very unlucky keeper! Hatrick Hero!  Once again BOCA tried and tried time and time again only to be met by either Mukhtar (who wouldn't have let Drogba past today!), or by Idris who left Petr Cech wanting Idris's autograph! In the middle of the Kullar trio the BOCA forward was bought down in the box.  Penalty to Boca!  The BOCA striker smashed the ball straight at Idris who could only parry away only for a BOCA player to follow through , and score. Final Score Boca 1 - 5 Woodford.  Reality of it was that it could easily have been the other way , and this was a very close game, one that an neutral would have said should have gone to BOCA.  Well done BOCA you fought like Spartans to the end, and we were just plain lucky!  MOM:  The Team.

Match report: RK

Matchday Squad: Idris, Khiroya, Spalding (capt.), Diplock, Byers, Mukhtar, Ide, Kullar, Mustafa, Francis.

Match report: DS

On a sloping pitch Woodford took on local rivals Chigwell Boys and were playing up the slope in the first half. Both sides took some time to settle and the first five minutes of the half were played out in midfield, each side battling for dominance.  Woodford were the first to break out and a run by Diplock forced a corner; Chigwell cleared the corner and broke down the pitch but Spalding was across quickly to snuff out the opportunity.  Woodford’s passing game was again in evidence and one such move resulted in a first time shot by Mustafa that was saved by their keeper, he cleared his lines quickly, using the slope, and Chigwell broke towards Woodford’s goal, this time Byers was on hand to clear the danger.  Woodford were well up for the game and Spalding cut out a through ball and fed Mustafa he passed to Kullar who hit a shot that the keeper pushed out, the ball was recycled and Diplock had a shot blocked but the rebound fell again to Kullar who’s shot was heading for the top corner before the keeper stuck out a hand to save it.  Chigwell tried to mount an attack but Spalding broke it up and brought the ball out of defence and forced a throw, they moved the ball down the pitch and turned it into a corner which Byers hit low across the box; no one touched it and it went to safety.  Spalding brought the ball out from defence and fed Ide who passed on to Mustafa whose effort was just wide.  Chigwell broke out of their half and kept the pressure on Woodford for the first time in the match. They found a way through Woodford’s defence only to be met by Idris who narrowed the angle and saved with his legs. This kept the score 0-0 at half time.  Woodford were asleep for the second half kick off and Chigwell were straight through on goal which Idris again saved. Woodford, playing down the slope, forced a corner which resulted in a snapshot from Diplock cleared off the line. Chigwell mounted an attack and fed the No.10 who went on a good run beating a couple of players before Idris came out and dived at his feet before he got his shot away. Mukhtar was getting involved in the midfield battle and using his left foot to start moves down the wing.  Chigwell were trying to gain the upper hand and from a corner that was cleared to the edge of the box hit a fierce shot that Idris got his body behind and gathered the ball up nicely.  Woodford moved the ball down the pitch to force their own corner Byers took and it was cleared for a second corner which Mustafa took, this time it fell to Byers who shot home from close range 0-1. This gave Woodford more confidence and they gained another corner which was cleared to Byers who punted the ball back high towards the goal. The keeper gathered the ball but his backward momentum took him perilously close to crossing his own line. Khiroya received the ball and fed Kullar who ran down wing but couldn’t get his cross away.  From the clearance Mukhtar was fouled and Byers drove the free kick into the box a Chigwell boy handled and it was a penalty and opportunity to seal the points. Byers stepped up and fired it low and under the Chigwell keepers’ body, 0-2. That was the last action of a close fought match and got Woodford back on the winning trail. MOM: Spalding and Idris 
 

Matchday Squad: Idris, Khiroya, Spalding (capt.), Diplock, Byers, Mukhtar, Ide, Kullar, Mustafa.

Match report: DS

The first of two important games for Woodford saw them paired away to Dagenham Utd A – a team close to them in the league and the early exchanges were even enough to suggest a close game was to unfold.  But as the first half progressed it was Woodford who began to dominate Byers was fed in by Kullar but his shot went just wide of the mark. Dagenham went up the other end and with their forward about to shoot from close range Francis got in a last ditch tackle to block the shot. Woodford countered and it was Ide’s turn to come close to opening the scoring.  Francis halted a Dagenham attack and started the Fox’s forward by finding Ide who forced a corner form which Byers connected with a header but couldn’t direct it towards goal. It was Dagenham’s turn for a corner and it bobbled dangerously across Woodford’s goal with both sets of players unable to connect. In a sweeping move Mirjah passed to Spalding from the goal kick, he brought the ball out and found Mustafa down the line who in turn found Ide but he couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet and the keeper smothered it.  Next up it was Francis who tested the keeper with a run and shot but he got his body behind the ball and saved easily. Woodford possession and territorial advantage was mounting and Byers passed to Spalding on the overlap who crossed into the box but there was no Fox on hand to finish the move, as the ball broke out Mustafa had a shot that flew just the wrong side of the upright. Khiroya was working hard and helped Woodford to keep the ball in Dagenham’s half and as it came to Ide he slotted it into the corner for a well deserved lead, 0-1. Almost immediately Woodford won the ball back and as the half was drawing to a close Diplock finished with a deft touch at the near post after a neat one two from Ide and Kullar got round the back of the Dagenham defence, 0-2.  Straight into the second half and Byers and Francis followed a big punt into the Dagenham area to put the keeper under some pressure, he failed to gather the ball cleanly and Francis was on hand to poke it home, 0-3.  It was all Woodford now and straight from centre Byers won the ball back and fed Francis who beat two players before shooting accurately from just inside the box into the bottom corner of the net, 0-4. Khiroya came on to inject some fresh legs into midfield and was immediately called into action to break up a Dagenham attack on the edge of his box. Dagenham’s attacks were becoming less frequent but on the one occasion they did get through the Woodford defence Mirjah was more than equal to the shot. Mukhtar was also sent in to bolster the midfield and found his stride immediately with some good neat passing to keep the ball in Woodford’s possession. Khiroya got himself into a good position on the edge of the box and as the ball fell to him hit a shot that was on target but the keeper saved with his legs. From the following corner Mustafa found himself unmarked at the far post and as the ball came through stroked it home to finish the scoring, 0-5. The ref blew for full time moments later; the close game predicted didn’t unfold! MOM: Francis

Matchday Squad: Mirjah, Khiroya, Spalding (capt.), Diplock, Byers, Mukhtar, Francis, Ide, Kullar, Mustafa.

Match report: DS

A bright October day provided ideal weather conditions at the “Bridge” and with renewed vigor and enthusiasm the boys started brightly.  Early Woodford pressure led to two goal line chances with good crosses and link up play between Diplock and Kullar.  Francis and Spalding were tidy in defence with great back up from the keeper Mirjah, who was rarely troubled.  Between them they set up many attacks from the back with some good passing and mazy runs, which the Boca midfield had to work hard to contain.  The Woodford pressure continued as the half went on and the Boca keeper was not found wanting, saving on the line from Diplock.  Francis hit a hard free kick from half way which was deflected wide.  Inspired by their resolute defensive play Boca began to gain confidence late in the half breaking through from a well manned midfield to pressure the Woodford defense. Mustafa, often outnumbered in the middle worked hard to gain Woodford possession and broke up many a Boca attack at source.  Ide playing left wing looked good on the ball contributing well to the Woodford attack.   As the half came to a close Woodford turned up the heat with a sublime back heal from Kullar setting up a Diplock and Ide passing combination, culminating in a shot just wide from Kullar who found himself one on one with the keeper.  The score remained at 0 - 0 as the whistle blew for half time.   The coaching team encouraged the boys at half time and sent out the same boys for the second half, Ide and Diplock switching positions.  Woodford carried on where they left off and continued pressure led to a stream of corners.  Eventually, one was scrambled home by Ide who shot beneath the keeper to score (1 – 0).  Shortly after, another corner was headed just wide by Diplock.   Spalding and Francis started getting forward more as the team’s confidence grew and the continued pressure resulted in further goal mouth scrambles.  However, in an almost identical goal to the first half Ide again was on hand to poke the ball home following an excellent corner delivery (2 – 0).   Keen to build on Woodford’s advantage the coaches bought on Mukhtar & Khiroya (for Diplock & Ide) who immediately settled working hard in their midfield positions and contributing positively to both attack and defence.  Some good running from Mukhtar and solid tackles and passing from Khiroya kept up the Woodford pressure.  Shortly after a long range shot from Mustafa just missed.  The Woodford pressure continued to the final whistle and the Foxes secured their second win of the season (2 – 0). 

All commented after the game about the spirit in which the game had been played by both sides.  The referee (who was excellent), rarely having to stop the flow of the game.  All the Woodford players turned in excellent performances and Man of the Match awards went to Ide (for attacking play) and Francis (for defensive play).   
 
Match report:  RD

Another glorious Autumnal morning for football saw Woodford take on Colebrook Royals at Elmbridge. Colebrook were straight on the attack and Mirjah did well to be on his toes and came out to gather the ball. Another quick attack saw Diplock getting back but had to concede a corner, which came to nothing.  Woodford took their turn to press forward but couldn’t find the killer pass which allowed Colebrook to break out and ended with a shot into the side netting.  After some midfield scuffles Francis emerged with the ball and beat two players but couldn’t get the final shot away and the ball went out for a throw. The ball was worked downfield by Colebrook and came to a forward who hit a first time shot that Byers instinctively put his hand to and the referee had no choice but to give a penalty. The No.10 put the ball away confidently, 0 -1.  Almost immediately from the kick off Woodford lost the ball and as it came through the midfield it slipped under Spalding’s foot and the No.10 ran on to score his second, 0-2.  Colebrook were having the best of the first half and Mirjah brought off a brilliant save to keep the score to 0-2, again from the No.10.  Idris came on and was quickly called into action to stop another Colbrook attack. Spalding brought the ball out and fed Mustafa who in turn found Ide but the Colebrook defence crowded him out. There were some niggly tackles and persistent pushing by Colebrook players but in the main they went unpunished, 0-2 at half time.  Straight away the ball was played forward by Colebrook and Idris came out to beat two forwards to the ball.  Woodford started to get into the match and had a good shout for their own penalty go unheeded, the ball eventually going out for a corner.  The ball was cleared but recycled and Francis hit a rising shot into far corner of net, 1-2.  Colebrook responded with an attack and as Spalding forced the forward wide he got a shot away that produced the save of the match by Mirjah as he tipped the ball round the post. Ide had a great run and beat his marker but couldn’t deliver the telling cross. Woodford continued to press looking for the equalizer and brought on Khiroya to drive them on and he was involved in some tough tackling as both teams fought to come out on top.  Francis emerged from midfield with the ball and beat two players before shooting just wide, but it was a good effort. Colebrook had time for one last attack that Mirjah ended as he caught the cross.  MOM: Mirjah/Idris.

Matchday Squad: Mirjah, Idris, Khiroya, Spalding (capt.), Diplock, Byers, Mukhtar, Francis, Ide.

Match report: DS

A great day for football saw some early Woodford pressure and a swift passing move ended with Kullar shooting into the side netting from a narrow angle. Cobra responded with a quick break and a fierce shot that Mirjah, at full stretch, brilliantly tipped around the post. He then collected the resulting corner to end the attack. Another break by Cobra saw Mirjah at the feet of the forward to smother his effort. With the game ebbing and flowing the Foxes broke out of midfield and Kullar crossed for Mustafa whose shot went into the side netting. Byers was having a storming game in defence and was clearing Cobras high balls straight back down the field with powerful headers.  Woodford’s next attack saw Diplock in the area; he did a neat dragback to beat a defender but could only slip the ball wide of the goal. Woodford were managing to keep the pressure on Cobra and Kullar broke down the right to force a corner which flew across the goal without getting a touch from anyone.  A good exchange of passing between Francis and Spalding led to another corner, which was cleared by Cobra. Mustafa broke out of midfield next and brought a great save from the home team’s keeper and could only shoot wide from the rebound.  Spalding broke up the next Cobra attack and burst forward to find Kullar whose effort was kept out by the keeper, 0-0 at half time.  In a keenly fought midfield Woodford were coming out on top and Kullar had another shot, this time with his left foot, saved. Cobra still posed a threat going forward and Diplock broke up one attack and fed Francis who ran the length of the pitch but was just forced out at the end.  A Spalding throw down the right which Kullar collected and forced a corner, which was caught by the Cobra keeper. Mustafa and Kullar both broke again but the excellent Cobra stopper saved well twice. Khiroya came on and was quickly into his game, tackling hard and closing the Cobra midfield down before they could start any attacks. The last action of a well fought match saw Mustafa trying to feed Francis but the ball was cut out by the last defender, full time 0-0. A good match with the Foxes having the best of the action as proved by Cobra naming their keeper as their MOM. MOM: Byers.  

Matchday Squad: Mirjah, Khiroya, Spalding (capt.), Diplock, Byers, Mukhtar, Francis, Kullar. 

Match report: DS

The first match of the season and Woodford Under 9 C’s were keen to carry on where they left off last year – winning!  Their first home game since moving to a new ground and the boys were looking forward to playing on a great surface. Straight away Woodford were on the attack and weren’t fazed to be playing a team established in this higher league. The Bealonians goal was under a lot of pressure but they were surviving with a mixture of solid defending and no killer ball from Woodford. A slightly changed formation saw Spalding and Byers at the back, protecting the goal of Mirjah, and the new pairing coped well with anything that came their way, with the usual help from a midfield trio of Idris, Kullar and Francis. Diplock and Ide were rotated upfront as were Khiroya and Mirjah in goal. Several Woodford attacks came to nothing and then Kullar had a second bite at crossing, this time it found Francis at the far post who shot confidently past the keeper, 1-0.  More Woodford pressure saw the ball again come to Francis at the far post but at a tighter angle, this didn’t stop him beating the keeper again, this time with a shot into the far corner, 2-0.  This brought a response from the away team and after a couple of breakaways had a one-on-one with Khiroya who bravely dived at the forwards feet but couldn’t stop the ball going in, 2-1.  Neither team could find the net again and Woodford ran out worthy 2-1 winners to record their first win on the opening day of the season, 3 points in the bag!  MOM: Kullar.

Matchday Squad: Mirjah, Khiroya, Idris, Spalding (capt.), Diplock, Byers, Ide, Mukhtar, Francis, Kullar.

Match report: DS