Walsall Wood FC entertain Rocester this Saturday, for what will be the last game of the season – and it promises to be be a cracker, not just for the soccer, but for the spectacle itself, as the match will be staged in commemoration of the the local folk who fought in the Great War, as part of the national memorial activities for the conflict.
Andy Roper from the club contacted me, and explained:
Hi Bob
Saturday sees the Wood finish off the season at home against Rocester FC – kick off is at 3pm.
World War 1 commemorative programme included
with nostalgic, military artefacts and local records of those heroic men from the Wood who unselfishly gave their lives so we can enjoy what we do today.Research and military details provided by Mr David Evans our local historian who has done a fine job.
The game will hopefully be a great spectacle which could see us finish 6th place in the league a truly remarkable effort for such un chartered territory at this level.
We welcome all to come and support the occasion which will be marked by many of the Wood supporters wearing military uniform so come along and join us and get into the spirit of this centenary commemorative year and enjoy a few drinks afterwards
Always ‘for the good of he Wood’
Ropes
So get down to Oak Park on Saturday for a great spectacle. The Woodmen drew with Rocester at their last meeting – can our lads triumph for the last match of the season?
Pop down and support the lads!
Meanwhile, Bill Shaw was at Oak Park last night to see the lads trounce Shepshed Dynamo. He sent the following match report:
Hiya Bob,
Another good win that takes us up to 6th place, needing just a draw at home to relegated Rocester on Saturday to make sure we can’t be caught.
Walsall Wood 3 v 0 Shepshed Dynamo
An evenly contested first half with keepers Raajan Gill & Ryan Thacker making a string of fine saves to keep the game goal less.
Wood took just 4 minutes of the second half to break the deadlock, Max Black’s neat through ball putting Craig Hancox clear wide left, he calmly cut inside to score with a crisp cross shot.
Wood dominated proceedings but had to wait until the 75th minute for the second goal, Joey Butlin won the ball on halfway before racing into the right of the box, holding off a defender he played the ball unselfishly to his left to find Craig Deakin (who’d run 60 yards) to fire home.
The third goal right on time was worth the entrance fee alone, the move started wide on the left, the ball was played crossfield by a series of one touch passes (Accompanied by hoorays from the Wood faithful each time the ball was touched on) to find Deakin wide right, he played a one-two with Andre Gonzales before crossing low to the far post for Black to score with a brave diving header, giving Wood a win that really avenged the opening day 1 – 0 defeat in Leicestershire.
It’s relegated Rocester who bring the curtain down on Wood’s first ever season at this level on Saturday, kick off 3.00pm don’t be late.
Bill Shaw
Thanks to Bill for checking in with us.
What more can I add, but For The Good of the Wood!
Lichfield Mercury, February 1914…Walsall Wood Miner’s experience.
A Walsall Wood Miner was charged at Rushall Police Court with the theft of 36 lbs of coal from a boat in the canal in Walsall Wood, and when charged later admitted stealing the coal.
Accused in tears told a long story of domestic troubles, and caused much amusement when he added; “I’ve been burnt to death twice, near enough.” He stated he had worked in the pits for fifty years.
The Magistrates bound him over to be of good behaviour for three months.