Tividale played in their bright yellow home strip today.

Determination in profile

Deft passing and off the ball second-half running by both teams. Glorious

The end of a super display of soccer by two determined teams. “Bostin’”

No let up as Tividale work hard to score a goal

Wood turn up the pressure as the first half was played

Well-hydrated spectators, seen here before the kick-off, being entertained by the strains of “its raining men” from over the Tannoy. Love Tividale and their welcome.

First goal to the Wood. A cracker of a goal!

A beautifully prepared pitch and a real Black Country welcome greeted all the spectators

Trap, turn and break away manoeuvre

“A right old tangle”, to quote today’s Touchline Sage

Acrobatic soccer

A first half attack by the Wood and Tividales keeper responds to the challenge.

Tividale put early pressure on the Wood.

Second half and both sides upped the pace

Determination and endeavour

Tactile proximity test

Some delightful individual tussles and strong hard soccer were evident throughout this match.

Tividale about to mount one of several strong challenges in the second half.

Second goal to the Wood. A loupine cry of “Come on the Wood” rang around the terraces.

Some fine long-range clearance shots to launch attacking moves were made by Tividale

An excellent save by Tividale ‘keeper

Sporting challenges and fluid football characterised this match. Super to spectate

Images and captions kindly supplied by David Evans

Walsall Wood FC travelled yesterday afternoon (Saturday, 13th August 2016) to Tividale, and came home with a good win and three points under their belt.

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 Shaw was there as ever, and submitted the following match report:

Hiya Bob,

It finally came right as Wood opened their League campaign with a comfortable enough victory over last season’s relegated side.

Ashley Jackson’s deflected shot gave Wood the lead on 52 minutes and an early Harry Harris contender for goal of the season put them in the driving seat six minutes later.

Tividale huffed and puffed but couldn’t break down a well organised defence, superbly marshalled by debutant keeper Curtis Pond.

Wood are due at Wem to play Shawbury United on Wednesday but a controversial FA Cup replay last Wednesday has to be sorted out by the FA so watch this space before you make the journey, the game could be off.

A winning start, more goals would have been good, but it’s three points and more importantly a clean sheet.

Tividale 0 v 2 Walsall Wood

Two Second half goals from Ashley Jackson and Harry Harris gave Wood a deserved victory over last seasons relegated side.

On five minutes Harry Harris raced into the box just right of centre, his fierce low drive deflected off a defender, completely wrong-footed home keeper Luke Kiskinians but bounced the wrong side of the left hand post. On 12 minutes Wood debutant keeper Curtis Pond launched a ball forward, a clever touch to the right by Drew Aiton set up Joey Butlin, his low drive bringing a great full length save from the home keeper. Dale soaked up Wood pressure then on 20 minutes a long ball out of defence found Liam Morris on the right of the box, he cut inside and his low drive was well saved by Pond.

Wood had the better of the rest of the half but couldn’t make the all important breakthrough.

A minute into the second half Pond delivered a long ball into the box, Butlin was first to the ball to flick a header over the advancing keeper who somehow pushed the ball wide, from the second of two corners Aiton fired a first time effort just too high.

On 52 minutes from a right wing Wood throw the ball was collected by Ashley Jackson, he stepped inside and from 40 yards out hit a screaming low drive just wide. From the goal kick Wood won the ball back wide right, Butlin’s ball inside was collected at pace by Jackson, he faded inside, took one touch before hitting a low drive that deflected off a defender and looped over the keeper and into the net. Just six minutes later Wood doubled their lead, and what a goal, Butlin was fouled just outside the left of the box, he rolled the free kick short to Harry Harris who thundered a rising drive inside the near post, giving the keeper no chance. Wood comfortably held the home sides attempts at getting back into the game and nearly made it three on 79 minutes when Jackson collected the ball right of the box, went through three tackles and his goalbound shot was half blocked giving the keeper an easy save.

A comfortable victory for Wood as they opened their league campaign with three points. They are at home on Saturday 20^th with Quorn the visitors in a re-arranged League game, before entertaining Brocton on Tuesday 23^rd.

Bill Shaw

The Teams:

Tividale – Kiskinians, Hurdman, Smith, Edwards, Gardner (captain), Wilkinson, Stevens, Hunt, Jukes, Tibbetts, Morris, Dimmock, Grainger, Sumner, McPike, Bastin.

Walsall Wood – Pond, Deakin, Hayles, Boothe, Birch, L. Harris, Williams, H. Harris (captain), Butlin, Aiton, Jackson, Beckett, Parsons, Taylor Boyce, Currithers, Edwards.

Walsall Wood F.C. As ever, thanks to Bill for the report – always appreciated – for The Good of the Wood!