Second half and the Wood score their second goal to take the lead.

On-field seminar and group discussion just before half-time, then a welcome pause to enjoy a cucumber and fishpaste sandwich and a large glass of local lemonade. Cash only at the bar.

Full-on football to delight and entertain. An interesting pitch, too

No gentle pre-season kickabout today. No way!

One of the Pics lightening attackers, seen being closely “monitored”. Thrilling soccer

The Pics respond to the Wood’s equalising goal with every kind of fire-power, but the Wood stiffen their resolve, to the surprise and chagrin of the ‘Pics. And this if a friendly match!

The match ends and players have worked hard. The Wood come away from this encounter with their spirits high. A new season beckons and the Wood show they are ready, able and willing.

The game got under way with substitute officials for the first half. Unusual but understandable

First half and the Pics seemed to dominate play, for a while, that is

The Pics attack and the Wood defend. Every player gave his best in this match, and it showed.

A bright afternoon, good crowd and fine ale and a meaningful display of soccer

The Wood no 2, Deakin gave another top-class performance and was closely marked throughout the game. Love soccer!

Equalising goal to the Wood in the second half and the temperature began to rise perceptibly. How would the ‘Pics respond?

A friendly word following a waspish moment, ( one of a few today ) then on with the game

All photos courtesy the young David Evans.

We’re now at the very beginnings of the 2017/18 season and the friendlies well underway, I’m happy to see Bill Shaw hasn’t thrown away his match day pencil and has been kind enough to send in.a writeup of the Wood away match yesterday (Saturday, 22nd July 2017), in which the boys from Oak Park beat Rushall Olympic 2-1 at Dales Lane.

Pleasing to see also a perceptible upward arc in the performance of the team. Hopefully good days lie ahead for our favourite community team.

Bill wrote:

Hiya Bob,

I couldn’t stay away and in the end Wood probably just deserved the win over Olympic’s five named players and 12 trialists, yes mate that’s right the Rushall team sheet had 5five named players listed and the word ‘Trialist’ for the other 12.

Rushall Olympic 1 v 2 Walsall Wood

It was ‘A Trialist’ who opened the scoring on 7 minutes when trialist  number nine was put clear by trialist number three to run on and calmly slot the ball past Wood keeper Lloyd Ransome. The Pics just about had the better of an open first half and went in ahead  by the only goal at the break.

On 65 minutes a right wing free kick was delivered to the far post and Callum McFarlane was too strong for keeper Dan Crane and forced the ball home to deservedly put Wood level.

The winner came on 82 minutes when from a right wing cross to beyond the far post Joey Butlin cleverly cushioned a header back inside to Tony Clarke who held the ball up well before turning and rolling the ball under the stranded keeper.

This wonderful set of images was supplied by Russell Smith, who also creates great professional video for Wood home matches. Aren’t they super? Russell points out that the chap in the dark top is this season’s new team manger, Gary Birch.

To be fair the Pics should have gone level when two minutes later Liam Lawrence collected a ball 35 yards out, took one touch and his shot from left of centre flew past Ransome only to  bounce to safety off the inside of the far post.

Wood held out to record the victory but the Pics side against Walsall on Tuesday night will look very different to this, but you can only beat what’s put in front of you and Wood did that, so well done guys.

Wood are due to play Sikh Hunters on Tuesday night, venue to be confirmed, the game against Romulus on Thursday in in some doubt but the game at Aylestone Park (Leicester)  next Saturday is on.

It’s then the magic of the FA Cup on Saturday 5^th August when Wood entertain Shropshire side Whitchurch Allport from the Northern Premier League, early indications are that they have also been splashing the cash in the close season so could be an interesting game in progress, kick off 3.00 pm.

Bill Shaw.

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.

A friendly word following a waspish moment, ( one of a few today ) then on with the game