Footy once again kicks off at Oak Park…

With the commencement of the 2014/14 season, I’m happy to welcome back regular match reports from top Walsall Wood footy correspondent Bill Shaw here on the Brownhills Blog, with this report of yesterday’s storming defeat of Rushall Olympic at Oak Park.

Walsall Wood Football Club are a top local side with a big-hearted faithful who know how to have a great time supporting their lads, and welcome all comers to come enjoy great local soccer. The boys from The Wood have been at the heart of the local community for a century or more, so please do go check out a match or two if you’re curious.

Bill wrote:

Hiya Bob,

Walsall Wood 3 V 2 Rushall Olympic

Wood gained revenge for last season’s Walsall Senior Cup defeat, as well as claiming local bragging rights for a while.

Wood twice came from behind against the higher league visitors, but deserved the victory after 90 entertaining minutes. Both sides had gone close before – on 9 minutes a low drive from Craig Marshall was pushed away by Wood keeper Mario Kisiel, Zak Martin first to the loose ball to slot home to open the scoring.

The lead lasted less than a minute, keeper Adam Jenkins handled outside his area, Harry Harris from the D floated the ball into the top left hand corner to equalise.

Both sides had chances with both No. 11’s especially dangerous – Tom Evans for Wood and Stan Mugisha for Rushall, but there were no more goals in the first half.

Parity lasted just 2 minutes of the second half, the impressive Martin ran at the Wood defence just left of centre, his lovely slide-rule ball into the box was collected at pace by Aaron Farrell who calmly slotted the ball across substitute keeper Joe Gilbert and into the far corner of the net. On 63 minutes Gilbert finger-tipped over a thunderbolt from Mitch Tolley and from the resulting corner Craig Deakin cleared off the line.

On 67 minutes substitutes Leon Taylor and (announcers nightmare) Tangini Ngishidimbwa combined neatly right of centre, Tangini’s low drive was deflected up into the air by a desperate defender, Ryan Wood scoring with an acrobatic overhead kick that beat the outstretched hand of keeper Chris Gemmell.

With just 7 minutes to go Luke Adams brought the ball out of defence, before releasing Harris down the left of the box, he cleverly lost his marker as he cut back inside before his low pinpoint cross was gleefully hammered home by Danny McGhee.

Revenge sure is sweet, but joking aside, Wood deserved the victory.

Tividale at Oak Park Tuesday night, another entertaining encounter in prospect – so why not come along? You don’t have to pay £30 plus to see great football. Remember, these lads do it for the love, not like the pampered, overpaid prima donnas of the Premier League, see for yourself how good the team that Swanny built really is, you won’t be disappointed.

Trust me, I am a Clanger lad after all.

Bill Shaw.
Walsall Wood F.C.

Impassioned, there. I like it – and passion is what this is all about. Cheers old chap. For the good of The Wood!