Boreham Woods under 19s played up against Sturridge Academy, which is ran by Liverpool’s England International forward Daniel Sturridge.
They found the woods U19s in ruthless mood with yet another first half demolition on the back of beating Woking a week ago with six goals in the first half, on this occasion five goals in the opening forty five minutes without reply was enough to run out 5-0 winners and progress into the last sixteen of the National Cup in which every top college in the country competes in.
The side missing Ben Goodliffe and Bradley Sach but with five third years ,one second year and ten first years in the squad they showed how strong they are from top to bottom.
Quba Gordon currently out on loan at Ryman Premier side Hendon skippered the side and he showed how his loan spell is maturing and developing him.
Head of Academy/First team Manager Luke Garrard joined U19 manager Cameron Mawer in the technical area and would have been impressed with what he saw with so many potentials trying to force there way into his thoughts.
Yet again the tempo and pace of the woods start unnerved the much fancied Sturridge Academy who couldn’t handle the woods pressing and quality in possession. It took one minute thirty eight seconds for the wood to score there first, with a wonder strike from Frank Keita from just inside the area. He worked his way into the box, organised his feet before striking the ball into the top corner. Shortly after it was two with a trademark wood corner finished neatly again by Keita.
It was a quick fire third and fourth with Timothy Obinsanya finishing cooly from inside the area, before the third came from a Josh Coldicott- Stevens free kick, already having one as a sighter which was well saved by the keeper, the second he made no mistake nestling the ball into the top corner for his second goal of the season.
Before the half was out Alex Morgan added a fifth when some Ezra Bolt pressure allowed Obinsanya to land on the ball and play a perfectly timed ball into Alex Morgan`s path for him to smash home before the half time whistle went.
The second half saw the wood dominate possession but fail to convert any chances with Gordon having the pick of the bunch blazing over from inside the six yard area. All in all another fantastic result with a strong performance to go with it , which see`s the wood through into the last 16 of the prestige competition.
Mawer commented shortly after the game “Our tempo and intensity was on another level today against a very good Sturridge side, every performance we put on is based on our attitude, discipline and desire. The five third years done themselves no harm in front of the gaffer and they have to keep striving to get into the first team squad, the first and second years are improving and learning all the time while also understanding the day to day habits expected of a Boreham Wood player”
He added “We are now in the quarter finals of the National League Cup, the last 16 of the National Cup and are second in our section in the National League, I have set the boys the target of winning all three and I have so much believe in this group of players that they can pull it off and achieve this remarkable feat, but I also understand its important not to put too much pressure on 16, 17 and 18 year olds shoulders”
Next home game for the U19S is a local derby in the Hertfordshire Intermediate Cup against London Colney on Saturday 28th January (3PM KO)
