An important apology: this post was compiled and edited last week and set to autopost next day, whereupon I promptly forgot about it. Because of a typing error on my part, you could have been reading this cold off the press next month, not this, and I didn’t notice it hadn’t been published.

My apologies to Bill and David and all the Wood faithful who await match reports – this was a total cockup on my part for which I can only apologise. 

Please folks, if you think something is missing or lost, shout up. I’m human and very busy at the moment, so things do go unnoticed. Apologies.

Second half,and Khalsa goalkeeper makes a fine save

Sporting footballers and some thrilling moments on the pitch made for a visual soccer spectacular

Quick interceptions by the Wood puts Khalsa under pressure. Super soccer by both teams.

Some fine sporting tussles were witnessed, among others.

Players shake hands before the start of the match where the Wood sparkled

Composure, skill and determination were evident in the Wood’s superior passing . Glorious to watch!

The Wood, outnumbered but more determined, win this first half challenge

The Wood celebrate their second goal . Smashing!

First goal to the Wood confuses and startles Khalsa.

Early pressure by Khalsa, both physical and vocal characterised the first part of the match

A very close call, as Khalsa rise to break through the Wood’s defence.

Successful stud-proof shin- guard field test for the Wood’s goalkeeper.

Images generously supplied by the young David Evans

Last Bank holiday Monday (29th August 2016) Walsall Wood FC battled Sporting Khalsa away – and the result was a resounding victory for the Woodmen, much to the delight of the visiting fans.

Bill Shaw reports:

Hiya Bob,

An injury ravaged side turned in a brilliant all round performance as we finally got the better of Sporting Khalsa at the fourth attempt. The press box at the Aspray Arena is right behind the home dugout giving a great view of Ian Rowe’s antics, he certainly didn’t disappoint.

The win takes us up to third with a 100% away record, let’s hope we keep it going at AFC Wulfrunians on Saturday.

Sporting Khalsa 0 v 2 Walsall Wood.

Khalsa had by far the better of the first half an hour but for a change it was Wood who went in at half time two goals to the good. They had dominated the second half and fully deserved their first ever victory against Khalsa at level five.

Khalsa put Wood under pressure right from the off but couldn’t penetrate a solid defence. On nine minutes Johnny Haynes delivered the first of many howitzer throws from the left, it caused mayhem in the Wood box but the ball was eventually cleared. Four minutes later Luke Shearer collected a long ball forward wide left, his low far post cross hit first time by Craig Bannister, keeper Curtis pond at full stretch pushed the ball out and it was forced hone – an offside flag quietening celebrations.  On 20 minutes Shearer fired goalwards, another full length save from Pond.  5 minutes later it was Dave Meese racing onto a ball into the box, his low drive well held by Pond. On 30 minutes Haynes played a short left wing corner to Shearer who cut into the box only to fire just over.

Two minutes later Nick Wright ran at the home defence through the centre, he played a neat one-two with Karl Edwards before releasing Louis Harris into the left of the box, he calmly stroked the ball past the advancing Tom Turner, the ball taking an age seemingly, before bouncing off the inside of the right hand post and just having the legs to cross the line.  It was the first goal Wood had scored against Khalsa in five hours and two minutes of football.

Khalsa were stunned by the goal but on 38 minutes Haynes delivered another left wing throw into the centre of the box, the ball headed down to Bannister who lost his balance and fired the ball high and wide.  The miss seemed to raise their spirits and they once more began to exert pressure on the Wood defence, but right on time a ball out of defence wide left was collected at pace by Steven Hayles, his low pull back found Craig Deakin 12 yards out, only for him to be unceremoniously wiped out, penalty claims waved away but the ball was hit sweetly first time by Louis Harris bounced off a defender and nestled in the left hand corner of the net.

Wood started the second half like Khalsa had started the first, penning them back in their own half.  On 46 minutes Wright set up Taylor Boyce his low drive saved at  full  stretch by Turner.  The keeper was beaten by Taylor Boyce a minute later, his cross shot just wide. A lovely right wing move on 49 minutes saw Edwards break out of defence, play the ball inside to Wright who unselfishly set up Harry Harris to send a first time effort whistling wide.  It was all Wood at this stage and on 56 minutes pressure wide right saw Lee Parsons play the ball wide to Taylor Boyce, he raced inside and his vicious near post shot was spilled by Turner, the keeper first to the rebound as it bounced goalwards.  A quickly taken right wing throw was cleverly flicked on by Edwards into the path of Wright, he powered into the box only to be stopped by a superb tackle from Tesfa Robinson to avert the danger.

After weathering the 25 minutes battering, Bannister collected a ball left of centre and raced into the left of the  box going down under pressure, loud penalty appeals ignored. Two minutes later a long ball over the top of the Wood defence saw Pond race from his are to kick clear from substitute Nick Turton. Just on 81 minutes fellow substitute Rudy Misambo cut inside from wide left to hit a cross shot over the far angle.

On 86 minutes a lovely ball out wide to the right found Taylor Boyce who cut back inside his cross shot beat Turner only to bounce to safety off the foot of the left hand post.

Right on time a long ball out to the right found Shearer, he powered inside through three tackles, his low far post drive superbly pushed around the post by Pond.

A landmark victory for Wood, against Khalsa at the 4^th attempt, but apart from the first 30 minutes Wood dominated proceedings and fully deserved all three points from a pulsating encounter.  The win takes Wood up to third and they travel to AFC Wulfs next Saturday in what is  always an  intriguing encounter at Castlecroft.

Bill Shaw.

The Teams:

Sporting Khalsa – Turner, Rogers, Haynes, Franco, Robinson (captain), Perks, Turner, Meese, Bannister, Shearer, Kinch, Ashton, Misambo, Turton, Nisbett, Perry.

Walsall Wood – Pond, Deakin, Hayles, Boothe, Adams, L. Harris, Taylor Boyce, H. Harris (captain), Edwards, Wright, Parsons, Currithers, Aiton, Griffiths, Taylor, Ntamark. 

Thanks, as ever to Bill, and apologies for the cockup – For The Good Of The Wood!

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.