WOOD reserves who are made up of our elite Academy players hosted Binfield in the Champions Cup Semi-Final. The boys started very bright, playing some excellent football and took the lead early through George Beattie.. Binfield were unfortunate not to level shortly after, when a superb finger tipped save from Preston Edwards, turned a snap shot onto the post..
That was as close as Binfield came and just before half time Wood extended their lead with a goal from midfielder Takenori Kawageo to take a 2-0 lead into the interval.. With the game nicely poised, the next goal was always going to be crucial and young Wood wasted no time in getting it..
From the 2nd half restart, Wood effectively put the game to bed, getting a goal straight from kick off, with an audacious but brilliant shot from Alfie Barker in his own half that flew in leaving the keeper no chance.. Another quick fire goal from Frank Kieta was followed by another two from Kieta again and Beattie again, to ease into the final with a thoroughly professional performance..
WOODS U/16’s EASE INTO COUNTY CUP FINAL
Wood’s highly rated Under 16’s, hosted their Eastern Junior Alliance counterparts Hoddesdon Town in the Semi-Final of the Herts County Cup..
With ‘Wood’ boasting 38 goals so far in the competition whilst conceding just 2, they entered the game as slight favourites, the game though would prove to be a very tight and tense affair.
‘Wood’ took an early lead following a well executed free kick delivered by Luke Lane, that left Alex Morgan with the easiest of tasks of putting the ball in the back of the net and giving us a 1-0 lead..
Whilst Hoddesdon pressed high and played direct throughout, ‘Wood’ continued to dominate for large parts of the first half and a number of great saves from the Hoddesdon keeper kept the scoreline at 1-0 going into half time..
However another goal early in the 2nd half put ‘Wood’ firmly in the driving seat. The goal came from a powerful run from Benjy Aghadiuno, who brushed away a number of Hoddesdon Town defenders, before playing in substitute Ejike Akubude, who cooly passed the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
Young Wood were not troubled with any real threat from Hoddesdon Town, until a late lapse in concentration from defender Alex Radu who attempted to flick on a clearance to the ‘Wood’ goalkeeper. This allowed a Hoddesdon Town’s forward to nick the ball infront of goal and finish..
This made for a nervy last 10 minutes after a late push from Hoddesdon but their goal would only turned out to be a consolation as ‘Wood’ held out for the win that takes them to the Final of the Hertfordshire County Cup.
Woods reserve team and Under 16’s Manager, Cameron Mawer said “It’s been a great weekend of football for the Club. Not only have the youth teams gone and won important cup games, but our First Team have gone to high flying Grimsby and Braintree and earned four point.”
“Our Reserves and Under 16’s have lots to play for in both Cups competitions and their League. So they must use this success as a springboard to make this a memorable season and not rest on their laurels.. I’m sure the boys are looking forward to the remaining months of the season as am I and we will try and win as much silverware as possible come May.” Mawer concluded.
