Oak Park – scene of both magic and loss. Better luck next year, lads!

Walsall Wood FC fought bravely last night (Thursday, 17th April 2014), but just couldn’t quite get the better of  visitors Tividale FC in a great match that saw the local lads reach a respectable draw against champions Tividale.

Bill Shaw submitted the following match report:

Hiya Bob,

Another night when football was the winner, in spite of some strange decisions given against both sides.

Tividale 1 v 1 Walsall Wood

Champions Tividale won the title on Wednesday night when neighbours Tipton Town beat the only team that could catch them, Highgate United by 2 goals to 0.

The Champions had the better of the early exchanges, but surprisingly their keeper Charles Price was the busier of the 2 custodians. It was Dale who went ahead however when on 38 minutes a right wing corner was only half cleared, the ball was delivered back into the box and skipper Mark Smith climbed highest to loop a header into the corner of the net to put them 1 up.

Wood had the better of the second half with keeper Price seemingly equal to anything they could throw at him, Then in the 90th minute Andre Gonzales collected a ball at pace wide left, cut inside & hit a scorching low drive that flew past the right hand of the diving Price and  justice was done, with honours even.

Not the classic of 2 weeks ago, but the crowd went home happy, the Championship Trophy presented after an intriguing 90 minutes of good football, what more could they ask for?

For the Wood it’s Quorn the visitors to Oak Park on Saturday, another footballing side so hopefully another entertaining game, don’t be late.

Bill Shaw

As ever, thanks to Bill for the report – always appreciated – for The Good of the Wood!