A hard fought draw against Loughborough saw some great footy. Image from Loughborough University Football’s Facebook page.

Yesterday afternoon (Saturday, 23rd November 2013), Walsall Wood F.C. faced Loughborough University away, and they came home with a creditable draw after some wonderfully entertaining football.

Bill Shaw submitted the following match report via David Evans:

Hi Bob

Loughborough University 2 v 2 Walsall Wood.

Unlucky to come back from Loughborough with just one point, but it could have been worse.

Wood were well worth their 2 – 0 half time lead, courrtesy of Joey Butlin’s 2 goals in the 22nd & 26th minutes, The home keeper Brendan Hazlett kept his side in the game with a stunning one handed save from an Ahmet Bilgimer cross shot in the 42nd minute.

It proved pivotal when a minute into the second half the home side pulled a goal back to halve the deficit, but Wood held out until the 87th minute when substitute Dan Partridge saw his rising drive bounce down off the underside of the bar & fellow substitute Sam Cook was first to react ,firing the ball into the roof of the net. It could have got worse, skipper Lee Stretton raced back to goal in the last minute to head over a 40 yard effort from Tristan Dunkley.

It was another cracking encounter with both sides playing attacking football on a superb surface & in the end neither side deserved to lose.

It’s home for Wood on Tuesday night when high flying Boldmere St Michaels make the short trip up the Chester Road, should be another interesting evening.

Bill Shaw.

Thanks to Bill and David for the report – always appreciated – for The Good of the Wood!