Woodford Youth Football Club                                       In  Association With Manford Way FC

The lads faced Senrab Lions for the first time this season in our penultimate home game at Ashton Playing Fields.  Lions started the better side, heading into the side netting early on and forcing a good save from Dev from a corner, however, Woodford soon took control of the game and when Soloman's shot was deflected wide in the 6th minute, Bexy rose like an eagle to nod in the resulting corner. Soon after, the ball went out wide to Greg who put in an excellent cross to Moses to head in for 2-0. Senrab kept battling though and Bostock, Solly and Bex were kept busy, Jack Miller looking imperious in his favoured centre-back spot. Senrab pulled one back after 25 minutes, their initial shot coming off the post and the rebound put in from close range.  Woodford came straight back at them though and Khairee played a lovely one-two with Moses for Moses to curl the ball high into the roof of the net, 3-1. Later on, Peter Mcdermott came close with a solid drive but MOM Khairee made it four just after. A Woodford penalty was then awarded when Moses was brought down in the box and Jack Miller converted beautifully to put the game beyond doubt. Senrab still had some fight in them though but Ricky, Joe and Nesar battled well in the middle of the park. The final Woodford goal came when Amran’s shot was tipped wide for a corner and the Lively Lucas headed in for a 6-1 win. Well done Lads!

The lads faced Interwood for the second consecutive match, this time in the league cup semi- final.

The manager was missing several players for the fixture in what was always going to be a tough encounter. The first half was very tight affair, Interwood shading possession but some fine defending by Bex, Solly, Elliott and Josh kept them at bay. Woodford chances were limited but Greg was working hard up top with McDermott and Amran also looking to get forward. The sides went in level at half-time. The second half was also tight, MOM Elliott keeping their very quick strikers under wraps and Bex battling well in the middle, however, Interwood scored with an unstoppable strike from 25 yards ten minutes into the half, the ball cannoning off the inside of the crossbar. Soon after the opposition went 2-0 up after intercepting Devs clearance and scoring from close range. The lads rallied well though and McDermott got a deserved goal with ten minutes remaining to bring the game to a climax. The boys suddenly started playing with more hunger and freedom, Khairee was bursting forward with his usual energy and Lucas started going on his mazy runs. Joe and Nesar started playing some nice balls forward but despite all the pressure the boys couldn’t get the equaliser and crashed out of the cup after a great run.

The boys faced a tough away league encounter this week against title rivals Interwood. The first twenty five minutes were an even affair, neither side crafting any real chances. Nesar was doing well in central midfield and Elliot and Khairee were battling well on the left. It was Twenty eight minutes before the deadlock was broken, Interwood volleying in from Dev’s clearance t teh edge of the box. Moses came close after 35 minutes shooting wide but even he was having an unusually quiet game today. Interwood bagged another just before the break to give them a healthy 2-0 lead at half-time. The second half saw changes to the team, Peter, Solly, Joe and the pacy Amran were introduced but Interwood scored almost straight from Kick-Off to put the game beyond doubt. Woodford played a little better in the second half but the home side always looked hungrier and more disciplined in their positional play. Of late the lads have been used to wandering forward out of position but they were badly punished for this today, Interwood scoring a fourth goal on the hour mark. The game finished 4-0 and this is a serious blow to the team’s title aspirations, however, with a lot of football still to be played perhaps this result will focus the team for the remaining games.

Another cup match beckoned for the Foxes today against in-form side Newington Rangers in the quarter finals of the Harry Barker League Cup.  Newington almost got off to a flyer when their striker’s attempted lob went just wide and they applied some early pressure which was well defended by Elliot, Bex, Josh and Jack Miller. With a strong wind against us in the first half, the home side found themselves with a major advantage but Ricardo was doing a great job in the central midfield holding role, allowing Lucas to push forward and try and create. Wright and Shakes were playing well on the left with Moses dragging Newington players to the right. Soloman came close in the 25th minute from a free-kick and Moses saw his shot well saved on 35 minutes after a great cut back from MOM Soloman. The sides went into the break level and seemed to have ridden the storm.  As is often the case the lads came out revitalised for the second half, with the wind in their favour Moses, Shakes and the lively Khairee were a constant threat to the opposition. In the 51st minute, Elliot delivered a lovely free- kick into the opposition box and Solly rose above his marker and nodded in to give the Foxes the lead. Woodford pushed on and with 55 minutes on the clock, McDermott blasted an accurate shot into the top corner of the net to give the lads a 2-0 lead, it was all Woodford now! The introduction of Joe and Archie saw fresh legs and reinforced the team in this tough match but a dubious penalty for handball was given by the referee soon after and the penalty was put away to make it 2-1. The last ten minutes of the game were an end to end affair, both sides desperate for the win but aside from Dev nearly scoring from a goal-kick, there were no clear cut opportunities.

Final score 2-1 to Woodford and we now face Interwood in the Semi-Final. Come on the Orange!!

After a good win in the AFA Cup the previous day against Kodak today saw the lads face table-topping Alliance side Thurrock in the Essex Cup. Woodford lined up with five across the middle today but couldn’t have got off to a worse start when a rare Bex mistake let their striker in on 11 minutes to go a goal down. The lads responded well though and this was looking like a very even match, Ricky and Nesar were doing well in the middle of the park and Lucas was making a mockery of the opposition at times with his weaving runs. Twenty minutes in Soloman came close to scoring with a long range effort but despite Peter and Greg battling well up top, a clear cut chance wouldn’t fall to either side. Khairee nearly made a grand entrance before the half-time whistle coming very close to scoring with a good drive, however, the lads went in one-nil down at the break. Woodford were on the ropes early in the second half, a rejuvenated Thurrock coming at them vehemently. Jack Miller and Archie Bostock were both containing the oppositions left winger well though and Elliot started his familiar forays forward on the left when Woodford were in possession. The remainder of the half was end-to-end stuff with defenders coming out top and Joe Massingham, Greg and Shakesy were unable to break through a dogged Thurrock defence. With four minutes left the ball fell to Solly on the edge of the box and he cracked it into the corner of the Thurrock goal giving their ‘Keeper no chance. With the Woodford faithful in ecstasy a roar went up but in the dying seconds of the game Thurrock headed in a corner to kill the game. This was a fine match and a very even contest from two well matched sides, proving that this Woodford team are as good as anyone on their day!

The lads had a rare Saturday fixture this week with an AFA Cup Semi- final against Kodak Youth in Harrow & Wealdstone. There was a modicum of doubt as to whether or not the fixture would take place as it was a very cold morning and the frozen pitch didn’t look like it would thaw for a 10am Kick-Off. After a slight delay the match got underway although the hard surface contributed to a poor game with neither side able to get the ball under control. Kodak shaded the first 15 minutes, but some stalwart defending by Bexy, Jack, Joe and Josh limited their chances, with Ricardo playing well in front of them the opposition looked unlikely to craft any real chances. Nesar and Peter were linking well at times but Woodford also struggled to find a cutting edge and despite Lucas using his trickery and coming close with a couple of efforts the sides went in level at the break. The second half saw a much better Woodford display, and straight away the ball went out wide to Joe Massingham who put a beautiful ball in to Greg Wright who beat his marker and slotted to make it 1-0. With Elliot dragging a shot just wide and Solly and Khairee threatening on the flanks Woodford were now dominating the game and the second goal came on 50 minutes, MOM Shakes driving in a low shot . Massingham came close soon after, his looping header rising just over the home team’s crossbar. Dev ensured that Kodak went out if the tie empty handed with a great save in the dying minutes, seeing Woodford through to the final where they will face Wingate & Finchley. Come on the Foxes!!

The lads had a rare Saturday fixture this week with an AFA Cup quarter final against Bethwin SE. The game always looked a mismatch when Woodford were 4-0 up in 10 minutes, Peter and Jack Miller scoring and Greg notching two goals. Greg bagged his Hat-Trick and the team’s 5th in the 20th minute and Nesar added a 6th 5 minutes later. Lucas scored a great goal in the 27th minute but was it a cross or shot? We will never know! The welcome return of Cameron saw him bagging the 8th goal on the half –hour. Bethwin scored a very good goal just before the break, their pacy striker getting behind Miller and unleashing a left-foot drive. HT – 8-1.The first ten minutes of the second half were a scrappy affair, Woodford hitting the post early on. Dev was forced to make a fine save in the 50th minute, injuring himself in the process forcing Pete McDermott to don the gloves. Bethwin were now posing a little more of a threat and were it not for some great defending by MOM Bostock the lads could have conceded again. The manager changed things around and Greg added another two goals in the 65th and 67th minute to make it 10-1. Ricky was then pushed up top and didn’t disappoint with a fine strike for the 11th. Shakes, Khairee and Josh all added to the goal-fest before Dev came on as a striker and bagged two great goals, the first a real peach! Joe Massingham rounded off the rout in the final minutes to make the final score 17-1. Woodford face more testing opposition in the Semi-Final in the form of Kodak Youth, the match scheduled for 14th January.

The lads faced bottom team Old Bealonians this week, a team that several of our players had previously played for. Bealonians started brightly, stunning Woodford with a goal in the 6th minute, a well taken throw-in converted in the six-yard area. Barely a minute later the visitors were two up after a weak Woodford clearance was blasted in from the edge of the area. Woodford pulled a goal back in the 10th minute when Moses tucked in Nesar’s fine diagonal pass, however, Bealonians still looked the more dangerous side. Ricky and Nesar now started to get a grip of the central positions and Peter McDermott equalised from a great cross from Moses in the 22nd minute. The back four started to settle now with Elliot and Solly doing well on the flanks and Miller and Bex more focused in the middle. The manager changed things 25 minutes in with Lucas, Greg and Archie coming on and the Foxes now looked brighter. Bealonians continued to give a good account of themselves though and Dev was forced to make a fine save from close range just before the break.The second half saw Woodford play much better, MOM Greg was causing havoc on the right wing, combining well with Moses whenever possible. Peter broke the deadlock with a powerful shot mid-way through the half and Khairee and Joe started to dominate the wide positions with Greg moving up top for the remainder of the game. Moses added another to his impressive goal tally in the 75th minute, lobbing the outcoming ‘keeper and Woodford finished up 5-2 winners in the end. It must be said though, that Old Bealonians looked anything but a bottom of the table side and played some nice football at times.

The manager shuffled his pack this week with Jack Miller and Soloman playing in the full-back positions and Elliot playing on the left wing. The first ten minutes were a scrappy affair with neither side dominating play, and probably Dagenham edging the game in terms of possession. Josh headed straight at the Dagenham ‘Keeper in the eleventh minute form a corner but it wasn’t until the 17th minute that the Foxes opened the scoring- you guessed it- Moses netting unmarked in the area. Woodford started to get a bit more of a grip on the game now, Bex and Josh looking comfortable at the back and the ever- reliable MOM Jack Miller putting his usual committed shift in on the left. Solly was getting forward well on the right wing, combining well with Khairee and Moses and Elliot and Joe were also causing the Utd defenders problems on the left, however, the lads went in at 1-0 at half-time. Woodford started the second half brightly when McDermott swivelled in the six yard box to blast home from close range, 2-0. The lads were 3-0 up minutes after when Josh rose well from a corner to nod in. The team were playing well now and Ricky and Nesar were winning the battle in central midfield and Greg was playing some intelligent passes to those around him. Dagenham started to look stretched now, Lucas was wriggling in and out of some very tight situations with his fine ball control and skipper Bex looked like David Luiz with long-range shots, back heel flicks and sorties into the opposition half (just need to borrow Elliot’s hair Bexy!). Soloman added his name to the score-sheet in the 57th minute with a toe-ender past the oncoming Utd ‘Keeper to make it 4-0. Woodford were now in total control and the disciplined Bostock was distributing the ball well on the right flank, his counterpart Massingham was alert in the box in the 61st minute heading in from a Utd save to put the game beyond doubt. Dagenham grabbed a consolation goal before the final whistle when Dev was judged to have brought down their striker for a penalty, however, the result was never really in question. Another fine win for the lads who are still top of the table, next week its Old Bealonians, then the real test before Christmas – Newington Rangers in top-of-the –table clash!

This week saw the boys up against Echo Division 1 side Buckhurst Hill in the league cup in a rare away-day for the travelling support. On a nice pitch and good surroundings the day was set up for a fine match, however, neither side really got going early on. MOM Khairee opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a toe poke past the oncoming ‘Keeper thanks to a fine through ball from Nesar. The Woodford line up was a little different today with Archie and Joe combining on the right flank and Nesar and Lucas starting in central midfield. Buckhurst Hill managed a couple of shots during the half but they never looked like beating Dev and the opposition found it difficult to get behind Bex, Elliot, Archie and the returning Miller. Woodford scored from the whistle in the second half, a very well weighted ball forward to Moses from McDermott, saw the Woodford front-man beat the last defender and slot home a low drive for 2-0. With Ricardo now spraying the ball around nicely in midfield and Lucas working hard alongside him, Woodford started to control the game and Moses bagged another goal in the 46th minute, heading home from a corner. Woodford dominated the remainder of the match with Greg coming close with a left foot shot and numerous other chances missed by the lads. With Josh and Solly now on the pitch the back four looked like they were dozing off at times and the travelling Woodford support had definitely dozed off, particularly Roy Bostock who made yet another late appearance just in time for a half-time donut. Woodford finished up 3-0 winners and progress to the quarter finals.

This week saw the boys up against Eastern Alliance side Tilbury who had made the arduous twenty minute journey down the A127 for an early morning Kick-Off and were given a warm welcome to the den.  The visitors started the brighter of the two sides, scoring in the second minute from nothing, their striker was shoulder to shoulder with Bex, looked up and lobbed Dev to give them an early lead. The visitors dominated the first ten minutes of play but couldn’t break down the excellent Bex and Ricardo (who was doing a great job deputising for the two unavailable centre-halves).  With manager Massingham opting for five in midfield today, Tilbury couldn’t break through Woodford’s defences and Greg, Lucas and Nesar were battling well in the middle, forcing Tilbury to resort to long-ball football. Joe and Khairee threatened on the flanks but it wasn’t until the half-hour mark that the Foxes equalised when Khairee skinned a Tilbury player on the wide left and squared for Moses to score. Mcdermott entered the fray soon after and almost scored straight away with a fine drive just over the visitor’s crossbar. The sides went into the break level.  Tilbury started the second half as they did the first, and were awarded a penalty for a push in the area by skipper Bex, however, Dev pulled out a fantastic save to keep the tie level. Woodford then upped the ante and in truth now looked the better side, Lucas and Greg playing some lovely football in midfield. Elliot and MOM Soloman were winning anything in the wide positions forcing the away side to play long balls forward behind the back four to try and run on to. With Bostock now battling on the left wing and Moses threatening their back four constantly, the inevitable second Woodford goal came, Moses dispossessing a Tilbury defender and returning the compliment to Khairee with a square ball for him to slot into the empty net.  The last five minutes descended into a scrappy affair with Lucas and Peter carded, however, Woodford ran out worthy winners, leaving the opposition with a long trip home to reflect on what might have been. Next round we face Thurrock who are top of the Alliance, as you know though, in cup football anything is possible!

A massive encounter was on the cards this week with the Foxes facing fellow title contenders Interwood, who were also unbeaten.

The game started as a very tight affair, both sides using their pace and power, but nullifying each other very well.  Khairee and Shakes looked for space on the flanks, but the game was getting bogged down in the middle of the pitch and Emmerson and Nesar were more than holding their own against their Interwood counterparts.  Neither side was able to get in behind the opposing side’s back four with Greg and Moses very tightly marked and Interwoods strikers looking pedestrian against Miller, Bexy, Josh and Soloman.  The first real shot of the game came 25 minutes in, a hard low drive which Dev got down well to.  Dev was in action again soon after, tipping a high long-range shot over the bar.  The introduction of Massingham and Lucas in midfield seemed to shake things up a little late in the first half, Lucas going on a couple of his mazy runs, but the lads were still unable to break Interwood down, Moses and Peter looking isolated at times.  The teams went into the break 0-0. The second half continued in the same vein as the first, this time though it was MOM Elliot and Bostock frustrating the Interwood forwards in the wide areas.  The visitors should have scored 65 minutes in when a ball wriggled loose in the box to an Interwood player, however, luckily for Woodford he blasted over the bar when he should have scored.  Each team was becoming more and more desperate to try and grab that crucial goal and Moses had a rare opportunity late on thanks to a fine ball through to him from Cameron;  the Interwood keeper was out off his line quickly though and smothered the shot Keeping the score level.  The game finished 0-0, however, it was a very entertaining and competitive fixture produced by two teams who look certain to be in contention for the title at the end of the season.

The lads looked to continue their fine form this week against one of the three Senrab sides in our division. The Manager went with Elliot on the flank again after his impressive performance last week, Khairee occupying the other wide berth. Woodford took the lead through Moses mid-way through the first half, after he combined well with Cameron. The game was a close affair early on, Jack Miller, Josh and Bex were commanding at the back, keeping Senrabs pacy attacks under wraps. Woodford were awarded a free-kick early 20 minutes in and Ricky saw his well-placed shot saved at the post. The lads went into half-time at 1-0. Khairee got the important second goal early after the break, slotting the ball in with a low shot after a great pass from Nesar. Wright could have made it three soon after but headed just over the bar from a fine Massingham cross. MOM Massingham was starting to find lots of space on the right wing and tackled very well this week. Lucas was now weaving his magic in midfield, even managing a trick pass that came off to Ahmad. Senrab were still in the game though and got a deserved goal on the break, rounding Dev after a central defensive mix-up. Woodford bagged the important fourth goal of the game in the 70th Minute clearing a Senrab effort to Cameron who crossed for Moses to score. The goal eased the pressure on the lads and they now seemed comfortable. Josh almost scored after a fantastic run from box-to box but his shot was parried and the lively Cameron followed up nicely to make it 4-1. Archie and Soloman were playing well in the wide positions, Bostock with his usual steely tackles and Solly using his pace on the wing giving Moses space up top. Moses bagged two more for his collection to kill the game completely and round off an impressive hat-trick.

The Boys go marching on at the top of the League, the next match is a big one though – Interwood!

This week saw the lads up against LOASS at Elmbridge, the manager had one or two players missing. The game started quite scrappily, the strong wind affecting anything in the air and neither side were able to get the ball down and play decent football. Moses continued his fine form and got Woodford the opener 25 minutes in after a fine pass from MOM Nesar who began to control the midfield with some intelligent play. With Khairee looking lively on the left flank and Joe Massingham finding space on the left, Woodford began to create opportunities and Greg Wright made it 2-0 before the break with a wonderful strike on the edge of the area. Moses bagged another soon after and Soloman grabbed his first of the season with a well-placed shot in the 45th minute. With the Foxes now 4-0 up, the boys started to dominate and the LOASS keeper parried a great cross into his own net for 5-0 in the 47th minute. Woodford had now gone to three at the back and Archie Bostock, Josh and Bex looked impregnable when LOASS did break, allowing Elliot Joseph and Soloman the chance to push on in the wide positions, indeed Elliot punished LOASS further, with a low drive to put the game beyond doubt mid-way through the second half. Soon after, the reliable Ricardo saw his fierce shot cannon off the post and Pete McDermott saw his long range effort saved. Jack Miller was his usual imposing self when called upon, and is having a fantastic season in the full-back position, giving the manager a real selection headache at the back. Moses outpaced the LOASS defence near the death to add another to his impressive tally this season making it 7-0, and goal difference could be crucial factor this season. LOASS grabbed a consolation goal when Dev failed to clear just before full-time, however, he had a fine game and seems to keep improving week by week. Final score -7-1, next up, Senrab Cobras.

With manager Massingham back in charge, and a full squad of players available for selection this week, the boys faced our old adversaries Newham United who had a new manager at the helm. The match started at a frenetic pace, the damp surface causing the ball to zip along very quickly. However, it wasn’t long before the Foxes were in the lead when Pete lobbed a lovely ball to Moses over the Newham centre-back and Moses curled a left foot shot into the net. Newham were battling well though and met formidable opposition from the Woodford back four with Jack Miller strong in the tackle and Josh looking very comfortable at centre back. The game was an end to end affair and the lively Shakes and Khairee were working well with full-backs Soloman and Elliot on the flanks. Newham came close 15 minutes in, when the confident Dev came for a cross; the ball fell to a Newham striker, but his shot was blocked away for a corner. The resulting corner was headed on to the post and Woodford then cleared the ball .A real battle in the centre of the park was developing but with Ricky playing well back in his familiar central role and Nesar getting the ball through to Moses and Pete where possible, the lads always looked capable of adding another, and did so before the break - a well taken finish from Cameron. The second half saw was another battle, both sides going at it. With Joe Massingham on for Khairee and Archie Bostock replacing Elliot, Woodford looked as strong as ever, however, Newham enjoyed a 15 minute spell of dominance but were unable to break down the back four, with Bex commanding the troops well and MOM Josh sweeping up everything. Moses and Greg threatened on the break, Greg coming close towards the end of the game but the game remained 2-0, and another fine win for the lads. With the International break next week, the boys will have a well earned rest and the manager will have time to assess the team’s performance to date.

The lads had several absentees this week with Lucas, Miller and Josh absent and Manager Massingham in gay Paris leaving Sal in charge for this one.

Woodford started the brighter of the two sides scoring early on through a low Mcdermott drive. Moses added a second in the seventh minute and the lads looked comfortable with Ricardo slotting into the centre back position and looking very much at home there. Greg and Shakes were combining well with some intricate passes and Greg came close with a well-struck shot in the 10th minute. The lads then seemed to take their foot off the gas and allowed Senrab back into the game. The Tigers had lots of pace from their forward players and with Woodford pushing too many players into advanced positions, we were exposed at the back. Senrab came close but an excellent last-ditch tackle by James Bex denied them this time. Elliot came close to scoring at the other end seeing his fine looping shot fly over the crossbar. Soloman also joined the attack and also came close, his shot just wide of the post. The game became scrappy with both sides pumping the ball up in the air and Senrab capitalised on this, breaking against Woodford and scoring with a good shot to pull it back to 2-1. The Tigers got a well deserved equaliser in the 25th minute with a fierce shot giving Dev little chance, 2-2. A lengthy injury break followed and manager Sal took this opportunity to speak to the lads and get them playing football on the floor again; this worked wonders and Moses restored the Foxes lead soon after. Despite some good battling in the middle of the park by Nesar and Peter, Sebrab were still right in the game and broke again; this time though, the striker’s lob beat Dev only to be cleared by Elliot who tucked in behind him. Khairee and Shakes were starting to provide a bit of width on the flanks and Khairee cannoned a shot of the post for Moses to follow up and score just before half-time, 4-2. Shakes nearly scored just after but his shot went just over the bar. With Archie Bostock and Joe Massingham playing well in the full-back postions, Senrab were targeting the long ball through the middle and pulled it back to 4-3 with an unstoppable drive in-off the post 50 minutes in. At the other end of the pitch Elliot hit the woodwork with a powerful drive, Shakes also coming close again. Soon after, a fantastic corner from Joe Massingham fell right on Bexy’s head but his header was blocked, Bex drilled in the rebound though to make the score-line more comfortable at 5-3. This was to signal Woodford dominance for the remainder of the match, with MOM Moses adding another and Nesar grabbing a 7th goal inside the area.

The truth is though, the score should have been 20-3 and not 7-3, many chances were spurned by the boys and against tougher opposition this could be vital. Nevertheless, another win and the lads should still be top the table!

The lads faced Harlow side Mark Hall in the Essex cup this week in one of our few away games before Christmas and didn’t disappoint. Mark Hall started the stronger of the two sides and almost scored from kick-off breaking with pace against a sluggish Woodford start. At the other end the lads wasted three or four chances, Peter and Moses both shooting over/wide. The lads looked all over the place for the first twenty minutes but settled down when Peter’s parried shot was put in on the line by Moses to put the Foxes 1-0 up. This was the catalyst for the boys to produce the kind of football we the fans expect and Moses promptly added another goal after several deft touches to make the score-line more comfortable. After 20 minutes the midfield started to get a grip on the game and Lucas combined well with Joe, Joe then put a fantastic pass forward for Nesar to score from close range, 3-0. The full-backs were now starting to get forward more and Elliot went on one of his powerful runs soon after, finishing with a looping shot just over the bar. The boys were gelling well now and Khairee was weaving in and out of the Mark Hall midfield as if it wasn’t there at times. 30 minutes in, Kahiree put the ball over to Moses who slipped it wide to Bostock, Archie shooting just over the bar. Mark Hall were counter-attacking well and their number 9 was working very hard, however, Josh and Bexy combined well and shut them down when required. Josh went on a great run towards the end of the half and was finally brought down in the opposition box but nothing was given by the referee. MOM Moses capped a convincing first half display with a fine individual goal just before the break to send the lads in 4-0 at half time. Woodford started the second half brightly and Khairee almost added his name to the score-sheet, seeing his angled shot go just wide after a fine mazy run. Dev was commanding his area well and produced a fine save in the 48th minute, tipping a Mark Hall free kick wide. The manager was shuffling his pack effectively and Peter was now looking very strong in the centre-midfield position, combining well with Joe Massingham, who was making some great runs forward on the wing. The Foxes made it the high 5’s in the 70th minute when Bexy skinned a couple of Mark Hall players and put the ball forward to Greg who slotted the ball in with a good low drive. Moses tried a spectacular shot on the turn just after but it missed the target. Jack Miller was now putting in a solid shift at full back, playing very well continuing Soloman’s good work. Greg Wright almost made it six in the dying minutes but his shot was well saved.

After a shaky start the lads found their form and now face Maldon and Tiptree away on the next round of the cup. Next week it’s Senrab Tigers at home in the League.

The first league game of the season saw the lads face a tough encounter with Eastside Colts, a well drilled team based in Leyton.The fixture saw the introduction of three new signings for Woodford, full back Soloman, centre back Josh and centre midfielder Lucas and all three acquitted themselves very well. The first half was a scrappy affair with both sides missing chances at either end, the ball being pumped up into the air a lot. Cameron sent Woodford in 1-0 leaders at the break though taking his goal well after he and Moses combined well on the right flank. Joe was looking lively on the other flank and Jack Miller was putting in a fine shift in the unfamiliar full-back slot. It could have been a different story though, when an Eastside player rounded Dev on the edge of his area and put the ball across the face of the goal, an Eastside attacker followed up but a committed Archie Bostock challenged strongly and although it looked like the ball may have crossed the line for a goal, the referee did not give it leaving the opposition deflated.The second half was very different with Woodford in total control, MOM Ricardo was bossing the midfield sending Lucas on exciting forward runs and Khairee , Peter and Moses were working well together in advanced positions. The second goal came about 20 minutes into the half, Moses slotting the ball home nicely. The lads got the ball down on the floor mush better this half and Greg scored at the far post to make it 3-0 when Moses squared the ball to him from the left. The back four of Elliot, Soloman, Bexy and Josh were looking untroubled by the odd Eastside break, Dev being as vocal as ever, organising them well. The game was capped by a goal of the season contender when a throw-in fell to Lucas, who volleyed the ball into the top corner on the turn to make it 4-0.

A strong opener for the lads who all played very well, next up, Mark Hall Youth in the Essex Cup!