Quality soccer played by two enthusiastic teams.

As darkness falls, Brocton set-to. Fine, sporting soccer in action, and score a well-deserved goal.

A minute’s silent respect to the Paris victims.

Fine goalkeeping ,as Brocton pile on the pressure

Sizzling sporting soccer, in the drizzle .

Corner to Brocton as Wood close ranks, and a nearby pigeon holds its breath.

A delightful contest to spectate and cheer. Thanks to both teams for today’s match

And the Wood score their match-winning goal

Determination showed by both teams. Super to spectate

Molly leads the way at the line-up handshake

Excellent passing and positioning by both teams made for entertaining soccer, on grass.

Second half and a goal to the Wood. Well hydrated home supporters cheer.

Walsall Wood break away , with Brocton in hot pursuit

Images and captions kindly supplied ny David ‘That’s real grass, man’ Evans.

Yesterday (14th November 2015) Walsall Wood F.C. squared off against Brocton at Oak Park in an entertaining match which the Woodmen won.

Bill Shaw was there for every shot and submitted the following match report:

Hiya Bob,

Another bogey side beaten, this time us winning for the first time in 5 games against the Badgers.

A questionable 84th minute equaliser (when is a player interfering with play being the question) Sam Bell was certainly in an offside position, went towards the ball but didn’t make contact (in fact some of the travelling contingent thought he had got a touch.) It’s the man in black makes the decisions however and he said goal. Rather than demoralise them it energised Wood and they could have added another goal to the winner scored by injured Dan Griffiths as they roared back, stung by what they saw as an injustice.

It’s two cracking home games now with Sporting Khalsa visiting on Tuesday night before Holbeach United are here on Saturday 21st in Round Two of the FA Vase, as we look to make Wembley in May.

Come on folks, if you don’t have a goal how do you know when you’ve reached it?

Walsall Wood 2 v 1 Brocton

After beating bogey team Coleshill Town on Tuesday night for the first time in six games Wood followed up by beating lowly Brocton for the first time in five games, opening up a gap to Lye Town in ninth place of four points.

After a competitive opening it was Wood who came closest to opening the scoring when on five minutes Ben Evans raced onto a ball into the left of the box, his low drive was blocked but was played out to the right of the box, clever interplay set up Joey Butlin whose low drive brought a full length save from keeper Calum Barrett.

After 15 minutes David Ablewhite wide right made the byeline and powered inside before laying the ball back to Edward Booth to fire in a low drive that was well saved by Wood keeper Lee Evans at full stretch.

Then on 19 minutes Butlin released Evans into the left side of the box, once again his low drive was blocked, this time by Ablewhite.

Two minutes later a long ball forward found Sean Kinsella in the centre of the box, Evans out quickly to make a brave block, the ball squirming right to Sam Bell, Evans flying across his box to make another superb block.

A minute into the second half Wood were ahead, Craig Deakin was strong in the right hand corner, his cross beyond the far post volleyed home by Harry Harris to put Wood ahead, his third goal in two games.

Ten minutes later Charlie Jones made space wide right, he cut inside and his low cross was headed behind by Anthony Juxon to deny Gary Fife. Two minutes later Bell powered inside from wide right, his low ball inside was hit first time by Fife, bouncing off the outside of the left hand post. Next it was Fife who made the right of the box on 69 minutes, his low drive charged down by Juxon, the ball falling to Craig Holland to fire a first time effort well over.

On 83 minutes Butlin was strong on halfway and came away with the ball before releasing substitute Dan Griffiths into the right of the box, his low drive blocked by Barrett.

A minute later the Badgers hoodoo looked to have struck again, Josh D. Wilson (another substitute) delivered a cross from wide right to the far post, the ball being missed by everyone and nestling in the corner of the net for the equaliser.

Wood’s reply was almost immediate, Butlin winning the ball right of centre and powering forward, he played a quick-fire one-two with Deakin, crossed to the far post to find Corey Currithers to volley the ball inches too high. On 86 minutes Currithers won a corner, a mad scramble developed from the flag kick, with two shots charged down, leading scorer Griffiths took charge, turned and fired the ball home from close range. Two minutes later Louis Harris showed great composure on the

right of the Badgers box, hitting a rising drive inches over the left angle.

Lowly Badgers made Wood work hard for their win, but the home side showed great character to go for the winning goal after being pegged back by an 84^th minute questionable equaliser, that was to say the least fortuitous. Leading scorer Dan Griffiths got off his unlucky 13 total to make sure Wood made it nine points in eight days.

Sporting Khalsa next for Wood on Tuesday 17^th before they enter the FA Vase for the first time this season with the Round Two home clash on Saturday 21^st against Holbeach United.

Bill Shaw

The Teams:

Walsall Wood – L. Evans, Deakin, Hayles, Birch, Juxon, L. Harris, Taylor Boyce, H. Harris (Cap), Butlin, Aiton, B. Evans, Wright, Black, for 10, Currithers, for 7, Griffiths, for 11, Hughes.

Brocton – Barrett, Ablewhite, J. Wilson, Devoit, Docherty, Booth, Holland, Kinsella (cap), Bell, Fife, Jones, Hardiman, for 3, McLeod, Hodnett, for 10, J. D. Wilson, for 11, D. Berks.

As ever, thanks to Bill for the report, and the young David Evans – always appreciated – for The Good of the Wood!