Early pressure by Walsall Wood resulting in the first goal a thrilling sporting contest at Oak Park. Image courtesy David Evans.

So close, again, by Walsall Wood. Image courtesy David Evans.

Visitors Long Eaton shake hand with Walsall Wood players before playing. Image courtesy David Evans.

An excellent game where all players gave their all throughout. Image courtesy David Evans.

Yesterday afternoon,  (Saturday, 15th November 2014), Walsall Wood FC entertained Long Eaton United at home, and after what proved to be a great match, the mighty Woodmen emerged victorious.

Bill Shaw submitted the following match report:

Hiya Bob,

This is what non-league club football is all about! The score reflects how tight the game was, Walsall Wood are the first team this season to lower the colours of the league leaders away from home (now second on goal difference to Basford United). There was no Clinton Morrison, who signed for Division 2 Exeter City on Thursday, but you could see why they topped  the table after 18 games.

Walsall Wood 2 V 1 Long Eaton United

Wood went ahead on 18 minutes, a lovely tight left wing move ending with Max Black slipping the ball into the path of Tom Evans as he raced into the box to hammer the ball into the roof of the net. Tom Cooper-Richards was causing Wood problems wide left, his first cross was hit first time over on 23 minutes by Gerard Moran. Two minutes later from another left wing cross Ben Watkis saw his first time low drive comfortably saved by Mario Kisiel.

On 31 minutes Ben Evans raced into the right of the box, rolled the ball to Black on the edge of the six yard box, Ross Parker brilliantly blocking his goalbound effort. The last action of the half saw Ben Evans chip a ball over a static defence, keeper O’Brien racing from his area to head clear from Leon Taylor.

Both sides worked hard at the start of the second half but it was Kisiel who saved from Watkis on 60 minutes. Seven minutes later he made a superb full length save to push away a swinging cross shot from substitute Lee Fell.

On 80 minutes the hard working Cooper-Richards won a tussle in the right corner, rolled the ball back to David Baofo to cross first time, Ross Parker climbing highest to power home a header to equalise. Within a minute Wood were back ahead, Craig Deakin won a right wing corner, the flag kick was played short to him to cross first time, Black timing his run to perfection to head home.

Bang on 90 minutes a long ball out of defence found Cooper-Richards who ran on to beat the advancing Kisiel with a drive. Deakin raced back to make an acrobatic sliding stop on the line.

The last action of the game saw Aaron Cole fire a 20 yard central free kick into the Wood defensive wall and the final whistle went.

The game was a great rehearsal for next Saturday’s FA Vase visit to the cauldron that is the Fenland Stadium in Wisbech. No place for the faint hearted, we hear!

Good luck to the lads and to the Wood faithful. Incidentally, the Stoke City Staffs Senior Cup tie has now been pencilled in for Tuesday 20th January at Oak Park.

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!