Woodford Youth Football Club                                       In  Association With Manford Way FC

Woodford started the game well and scored in the first minute when Eeley bundled home at close range on the first attack. A few minutes later Palace were 2-0 up when Seager ran forward from midfield, held off a couple of Row players, then cut back onto his right foot and curled in a good shot from twenty yards. Collier Row fought back into the game and Palace suddenly looked complacent, second to every ball. Field made a good save diving to his right, catching in mid air but the signs were there. Palace allowed Collier Row to get behind them, dribble along the by-line and were lucky when the ball was skied from two yards out. By half time it was 2-2. The second half started badly when a mis-kick in central defence allowed Collier Row to run in unchallenged and make it 2-3. Palace were troubled by good crosses and good set piece deliveries from Collier Row who went 2-4 up with headed rebound after hitting the bar, another when the ball was rifled home after a goal mouths scramble 2-5 and a final goal driven inform the left channel, 2-6.

Things to note: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. Training, pre-match preparation, be there on time, understand the team formation, eleven captains, will to win.

A good result on a difficult windy day. Palace started well and put Cowley under pressure. Gayer-Williams crossing for Unwin to have a shot well saved at the near post.  Another good Gayer-Williams corner saw the ball kicked off the line. Seager was prompting well, Eeley playing well in front of the back four and gayer-Williams and Fenton lively up front. Fenton opened the scoring then Baker hit a great angled shot high into the net 2-0. At half time it was 2-0 to Palace. Seager played in Baker wide on the right and he cut in to make it 3-0. Thompson played in Fenton to make it 4-0 with Palace bright, aggressive and full of confidence. Cowley had some late pressure when they hit the post, Thompson saved off the line and finally they got a consolation goal.  Great Palace performance.

Palace went into this cup game full of confidence after three league wins onthe bounce.   The boys started very brightly against ten man Ferns and raced into a two goal lead with Cooke finishing well for the first.  A good through ball from Gayer-Williams set up Cooke again a few minutes later and he finished well again for his second. Ferns 11th man arrived late but made an immediate impact. Ferns put pressure on bombarded the Palace box with long throws that Lawal, Clements and Field did well to deal with.  The pressure continued and Ferns cut in from the Palace right and a low crow cross was turned in 2-1. Ferns sustained the pressure and Field produced another good save before Ferns broke into the inside right of the box and curled in second 2-2.  Field saved another header but Ferns were first to the ball to force home 2-3. The fourth goal was almost identical as Field saved well again but the defence were caught flat footed and Ferns pounced on the loose ball to make it 2-4 at half time. The score remained the same for most of the second half. Palace tried to attack but could not sustain the pressure and Ferns continued to have chances but not as clear cut as the first half. Eeley came on to play wide right and had a good game battling and running at the Ferns defence as Palace changed players and formation to try and pull a goal back. The decisive goal went to Ferns. Yet another long throw was hurled into the box, bounced up and Ferns finished with an overhead kick. Palace rallied. Thompson hit a free kick over and Fenton turned and fired wide of the right post but Ferns broke free on the right and scored with a close range header to finish the game 2-6. Palace  showed recently that they have the team spirit to fight back and win games after falling behind. They slipped in this game and know that they must encourage each other, be at their best and have leaders all over the pitch to be a winning team. Eeley was Man of the Match.

Palace suffered a  2-0 home defeat against 4th placed Ferns in this game and yet there was little between the sides.  Palace could and should have taken something from the match and with a little more confidence and self-belief they will get the first win. The boys started positively and brightly with a desire to compete. If anything, over enthusiasm resulted in some unnecessary fouls and Ferns took advantage with a goal direct from a free kick. For the first time this season Palace controlled parts of the game and Field who has previously been very busy in goal had a much quieter game although showed good awareness to come and collect the ball when needed.  In front of him fullbacks Thompson and Chambers are strong, can tackle and clear well. Clements partnered Lawal in central defence and both worked hard to restrict Fern to a handful of efforts on goal. Fern hit the bar but that aside Palace was not under the same pressure as recent weeks.In midfield both Fenton and Seager worked hard. Seager used his body well to shield the ball and find a decisive pass. Fenton used pace and power on the ball to run at opponents and dropped into space to get the ball. Both Eeley and Unwin saw the ball in wide positions and provided service to Baker and Cooke to run into the channels. Eeley was injured near the end of the first half and replaced by Carver. Baker and Cooke need time to develop a partnership but both are quick, mobile and carry a threat.  While Palace had some good possession they did not create clear chances and strikes on goal until later in the game. The boys needed to attack and exert pressure early in the second half, but allowed Ferns to score a second from distance before asserting themselves. Palace then created three chances in quick succession. Eeley returned to the pitch and immediately caused Ferns problems on the right that led to Unwin going close. Baker turned his man to put a curled shot just wide and Cooke hit an angled drive wide as Woodford mounted pressure to get the break through needed. There was a lot in this game to offer encouragement to the team. The defence looked organised although need to talk more and work tighter as a unit. The midfield showed more control and better distribution to the wide men and the forwards worked hard to make themselves available. Key point:  more talking, more leaders.  Cooke was Man of the Match.

This performance was so much better than last week. We were up for the fight this time round, and just a couple of silly mistakes that cost us but that is stuff that can be ironed out on Saturday at training. Dagenham were a big and physical side but the boys matched them today in a game which was played with equal fairness. I feel now I am looking for that one boy, a 6ft 8 striker, possibly another Peter Crouch, because some of the balls that were whipped in by Thompson today were simply superb. We just could not find anyone to get on the end of them. Both my debutantes, Baker and Spelling scored today and gave us that extra bit of pace sadly lacking last week and throughout the game caused Dagenham lots of concern. Seager who I played in the holding role found that position to his liking, something which I can look for in future games. I also had the luxury of three substitutes and bringing on fresh legs was a bonus. What we have got to remember (especially me) is that we are a new team and we are still gelling but to see such an improvement in one week is encouraging. Most of the teams in this division have been together for years so I feel now we are getting organised. Thompson was my Man of the Match today for a terrific performance, not only for his crossing but also for his experience and his cool head in tense situations.

Again, I would like to congratulate all the boys and let’s move this forward to next Sunday when hopefully we can pick up our first win.

Palace produced a terrific performance to beat 5th placed Team Armada 2-1 and record their first win of the season. The victory was hard fought, thoroughly deserved and all credit to the team for battling back from 1-0 down.  Not easy at the best of times and especially when you have not won a game.  The match started evenly with both teams looking to attack and it was good end to end stuff. Field produced  a great save to keep out a powerful drive then Palace counter attacked quickly with Unwin doing well on the left before releasing Baker who was just offside. Palace restricted Armada to shots from distance and then slipped up. A long throw was allowed to bounce in the area, looped up and was headed in off the underside of the bar giving Field no chance.  1-0 Armada.  Palace recovered and battled all over the pitch.  The defence held firm , Thompson timed tackles well,  Clements cleared decisively every time.  Fenton used his body strength and power to get on the ball in midfield. Gayer-Williams fast and lively took the ball down the left fed Cooke just inside the penalty area, he stepped inside his defender and drove hard and low across the keeper into the far corner 1-1. The second half belonged to Woodford. Baker’s energy and skill caused Armada problems all afternoon and he got the decisive goal. He wriggled free on the left side of the box, his first shot was blocked then took the rebound went past the defender and from a narrow angle hit the ball right footed into the corner 2-1.  Confidence ran through the team. You could hear the encouragement.  Palace could smell that win and wanted it. There was some great fluent play: Seager found Fenton who beat two or three, played in Cooke who drove wide. Seager again, to Baker, to Eeley and played in Fenton who shot wide.  Unwin and Gayer-Williams kept the width and worked hard all game. My reckoning Baker, Cooke, Jacdonmi, Unwin, Gayer-Williams, Fenton all had efforts on goal – a vast improvement on last week. Jacdonmi came back on, told to be a nuisance as Armada had a late flurry. Seager returned to play deep, calm it and keep possession. Thompson always composed with time to pass out.  Lawal took the high balls and Chambers and Clements weren’t letting anybody past. Field dived bravely to save at feet, Armada flashed a header wide from a corner and then it was all over.

A deserved first win, not a lucky win. It is exactly what the team needed and now it is all there to play for. That’s what you can do when you work hard for each other all over the pitch and play as a team. Well done everyone, players and coaches - you sent us all home happy and we want more. Clements was Man of the Match. 

It was a disappointing start to our league campaign today. The game started at a fast pace and the opening exchanges were more than even. Bardag scored to go 1-0 up. We then regrouped and played some good football. The pleasing point in this period was that we were looking to pass the ball and we deserved the equaliser when Eeley scored on his debut. At this point I thought we would go on and win, however we gave away 2 soft goals to go 3-1 down at half time. Down to 11 players today the boys look tired in the second half and the performance was very disappointing. We looked very weak in the midfield area and up front, two areas I will be addressing with some urgency. We have to learn quickly, sometimes boys you have to attack open spaces, look to lose your markers - the ball will not always be delivered to your feet, you have to work to get the ball. Parsons was his normal buzzing self with his non-stop running and his desire to win, along with notable performances from Thompson and Clements who also performed with the desire to win. The foundations are there and we now have to quickly build on that so let’s get our heads up and rebuild for this Sunday, starting at training on Saturday. Parsons was Man of the Match.