Leaping high for the ball, and a backdrop reminiscent of Oak Park

Near innovative move by Loughborough keeper, near the halfway line

A first half attack by the Wood on this billard-table smooth soccer pitch.

Loughborough equalise after a few minutes and this sporting dual goes into top gear

Welcome to Loughborough Stadium, and a pitch to admire!

Joey Butlin breaks through the Loughborough defence to score his second goal of the match

Walsall wood played in red today ; winter shadows lengthening after only three minutes’ play.

First goal to the Wood.

Some balletic, almost hypnotic moves and counter-moves delighted spectators throughout the match

Loughborough on the attack and the Wood’s keeper is put to the test.

Loughborough keeper saves a penalty shot and the referees blows his whistle to bring to an end a thrilling game of football and an outstandingly fine performance by Walsall Wood

A powerful second-half penalty shot confidently saved by the Wood’s excellent goalkeeper.

Pictures and captions kindly supplied by David Evans.

Saturday afternoon (30th January 2016), Walsall Wood F.C. faced Loughborough University away, and they came home with a good win after some  entertaining football.

Simon Evans submitted the following match report, with the young David Evans again wielding the camera- note also a message from Bill Shaw (still on the mend) at the foot of the post:

Hiya

Loughborough University 1 v 2 Walsall Wood

Wood kicked off, and two minutes in, after an Loughborough offensive which was cleared, Wood went on the attack. A Joey Butlin cross was held back by the defence.

The first Loughborough attack saw Dasalou the Loughborough 9 bearing down on the Wood goal, which was called for a corner, sadly missed by everybody. Subsequent play saw Craig Deakin’s cross defeated, with retaliation by Loughborough again resulting in another corner. By now Loughborough were on the front foot, another shot went just wide. Not to be outdone Wood went for it: Deakins cross to Butlin was deflected just wide. Then after 22 minutes the breakthrough, great play Joey Butlin to Dan Griffiths who burst into the box, his shot was parried by the Loughborough keeper and Joey Butlin was on hand to put the ball in the net. One up to The Wood.

That lead lasted only two minutes, Loughborough no 7 Alan Webb placing the ball just past the reach of the Wood keeper.

After 34 minutes Wood scored again. Great wing play by Lewis Taylor-Boyce to get into the box, his pull back was met sweetly by Joey Butlin.

Halftime: 1-2 to The Wood

The second half started with a through ball for Dan Griffiths but the Loughborough keeper read the situation well, just before a Joey Butlin pass to Corey Currithers was cleared by the Loughborough defence. Corey then had a great run and took a shot landing just wide. The next Wood shot saw Joey Butlin pass to Dan Griffiths who fed the ball to Lewis Taylor Boyce cutting inside, his shot being well saved for a corner.

On 65 minutes a heavy challenge in the box, saw a penalty awarded to Loughborough. Ben Ward-Cochrane’s kick was well saved by Wood Keeper Adam Jenkins. The subsequent attack consisted of a great ball by Anthony Juxon to Joey Butlin who’s cross eluded everybody, then after nice play between Ben Evans and Craig Deakin, a ricochet fell to Joey Butlin who was just offside.

Loughborough then went in search of an equaliser, Adam Jenkins the Wood keeper made a great double save to deny Loughborough 7 Alan Webb.

Around 87 minutes in, Joey Butlin had a shot from just on the half way line, the keeper who was well out his box got back to smoother the shot. Not to be outdone, Drew Aiton also tried a chip from the half way line, the Loughborough keeper again was well out his box, but the chip went agonizingly wide.

The last action of the match had Joey Butlin burst into the box, only to be fouled. Joey took the resulting penalty which was saved by the keeper, the referee blowing for full time just as Joey Butlin put the rebound in.

Full time: 1-2 to The Wood.

An enjoyable match.
Attendance 86

Simon Evans

Bill shaw also sent the following note:

Hi Bob,

Still not back in harness yet but improving ever so slowly, helped of course by another excellent result by the Wood, before yesterday’s game the Students had gone 10 games at home unbeaten, the win leapfrogged Wood above them and into their highest place of the season – 7th.

Hereford’s FA Vase game was postponed on Saturday and they will now attempt to play next Saturday, thus postponing our game there. We have moved quickly and have brought forward the home game on Tuesday 23rd February with Loughborough to next Saturday at home and have now arranged to play the game at Hereford on Tuesday 5th April, so I might get to Edgar Street after all.

Regards
Bill Shaw

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