Lye Town FC: scene of a frustrating match for Bill Shaw and the faithful. Image from The Mowdog.

Yesterday afternoon (25th October 2014), Walsall Wood FC were away to face Lye Town at Stourbridge Road – somewhat disappointingly, the Wood boys only scraped a draw.

Don’t forget there will be an bonfire and fireworks display with hot food and a great family atmosphere at Oak Park next Sunday, 2nd November 2014 from 6:30pm – £4 in for age 16+, only £2 for kids and OAPs. A family with up to four kids can get in for just £10 – and it really is a great night.

Bill Shaw, as ever, was there to catch the action…

Hiya Bob,

How the Wood weren’t  at least 4 goals ahead after an hour is a mystery. They entered the last 30 minutes just the one goal ahead and almost lost all 3 points as Lye finally woke up and exerted some pressure on the Wood defence, equalising 4 minutes into added time and then almost stealing all 3 points at the very end.

Lye Town 1 v 1 Walsall Wood.

Virtually straight from the kick off Craig Deakin intercepted a ball forward, his header found Harry Harris who quickly released Drew Aiton through the centre, his rising drive just over the right angle.

The next clear cut chance was created by Max Black on 13 minutes, he raced onto a ball in the centre of the box, his delightful lob beating the advancing keeper and the left hand post.

The only effort of note by Town came 4 minutes later, a low drive from James Spray bringing a full length save from Mario Kisiel. Wood deservedly went ahead on 29 minutes, a break by Deakin right of centre saw him play a ball left to Ben Evans, who held the ball up cleverly before playing a diagonal into the left of the box, Drew Aiton scoring off the foot of the far post with a vicious low cross shot.

Wood dominated the rest of the half but couldn’t make the breakthrough for the all important second goal. In the first 15 minutes of the second half the Town goal had a charmed life, first it was Harris hitting a first time volley over the right angle with the keeper well beaten, Harris then set up Black on 49 minutes, his first time effort just wide.

On 53 minutes Deakin powered in along the byeline from wide on the right, his ball back to Leon Taylor was smashed past the keeper only to be blocked on the line, Harris was first to the loose ball to fire goalwards, but keeper Stevens somehow managed to get a hand to the ball to push it away.

After yet another let off the home side finally came to life, Mark Danks racing into the right of the box on 65 minutes, his cross shot bringing a superb one handed save from Kisiel. Evans hit a first time effort onto the roof of the Town net on 73 minutes just to remind them Wood were still there.

Town really wound up the pressure in the last 10 minutes, on 83 Danks again found space on the right of the box, this time his rising drive bringing a great save from Kisiel, Danks was first to the rebound but the keeper made a brave block to deny him again. Five minutes later a right wing free kick caused mayhem in the Wood box, Kisiel somehow managing to keep out 3 point blank efforts from close range.

With 4 minutes into added time Ricky Anslow won a foul wide right, Reece Shilvock floating in a free kick to the far post, the ball evaded everyone and nestled in the far corner of the net. It nearly  got worse for Wood when with seconds remaining Shilvock delivered a left wing corner right under the bar, with the Lye cavalry charging down on him Kisiel somehow managed to push the ball away to the left.

Before the game a draw would have been a good result against a team lying 6th, but Wood should have been out of sight before they conceded the late, late equaliser.

It’s Jekyll and Hyde side Continental Star at the Wood on Tuesday night  for a League Cup tie before AFC Bridgnorth are the visitors in the first round proper of the FA Vase on Saturday.

For the Good of the Wood!

Bill Shaw

My thanks to Bill for a great report – and for all those he selflessly writes and send to me after every match. They really are popular, and a credit to Bill and the club. Walsall Wood have a reputation for being a great, community spirited group of people and these reports demonstrate that – it’s an honour and joy to feature them here.

For the good of the Wood!