Images kindly supplied by Simon Evans

On Tuesday evening (8th March 2016), Walsall Wood FC faced Continental Star at Rushall, and after a somewhat physical match, the Woodmen returned with three points..

Simon Evans submitted the following match report:

Hiya Bob,

Continental Star 1 v 2 Walsall Wood

Continental Star got the game underway and straight from thre kick off, Wood got the ball and went on the attack. Dan Griffiths had a first time shot just wide after nice play between Lewis Taylor Boyce and Drew Aiton. Continental’s no 11 then ran straight at the Wood defence, but the ball was cleared. A through ball was chased by Dan Griffiths but a strong first touch enabled the Continental defender to clear the danger. Wood were now having a good spell of pressure. A Wood free kick was fumbled by the Continental goalkeeper, the ball back in the box was just too long.

After 20 minutes a Wood corner was brilliantly headed into the Continental net by Anthony Juxon.

A couple of minutes later a great through ball by Joey Butlin released Lewis Taylor Boyce, the keeper dealing with the danger. Next to test the Continental keeper was Drew Aiton, his powerful shot was parried away. Drew Aiton then fired a free kick just over the bar. From another corner following a scramble in the Continental box, Anthony Juxons shot went just past the post.

On 37 minutes a moment of controversy, a classic Wood counter attack saw Dan Griffiths and Joey Butlin bearing down on the Continental box, the defender being the last man bringing Joey Butlin down. The result was a yellow card and a free kick. The free kick came to nothing.

A couple of minutes before half time, a rare Continental break saw there no. 9 surge into the Wood box, his shot going past the post.

After a rash headed clearance by the Continental keeper, Drew Aiton’s follow up shot went agonizingly wide. Lee Hildreth then had a shot miss after another gamble by the Continental keeper

Half Time: 0-1 to Walsall Wood

Wood got the second half underway and immediately Continental went on the attack. A Continental corner was dealt with.

After 50 minutes some nice play between Craig Deakin and Lewis Taylor Boycey saw Craig Deakins shot well saved by the Continental keeper. Lewis Taylor Boyce then outran a defender and took a shot which fell just wide.

With 55 minutes on the clock, Continental made a substitution, no. 3 off, 14 on. Another change followed a few minutes later – no. 7 off, 12 on.

Some great wing play by Lewis Taylor Boyce saw his cross well defended, the resulting corner was well defended by Continental
Joey Butlin’s excellently taken free kick was competently saved by Continental keeper.

With one of there rare forays into the Wood box, Continental got an equalizer, some flowing play followed by a shot which hit the post, the rebound bundled in.

After 75 minutes Wood got their second goal, courtesy of a great header by Joey Butlin following a wonderful cross.

It was then Walsall Wood’s turn to make a substitution with no. 6 off and no. 14 on.

A free kick by the Wood caused panic in the Continental defence, the ball eventually cleared. Wood then made another substitution, this time swapping no. 7 for 16.

On 88 minutes, a Continental winger got into the Wood box, his pull back was eventually countered by the Wood defenders. Straight after that, the Continental no. 15 was shown a red card.

The last few minutes saw Walsall Wood pile pressure on the Continental box, Joey Butlin saw his shot parried for a corner, Ben Evans’ attempt was well defended.

Wood held on for 3 points

Full Time: 1-2 Walsall Wood

Simon Evans

My thanks to Simon for year another great report… For the good of the Wood!