Again and again offside decisions were made; here, after the ball had gone in the net. Unusual.

A rural soccer moment is about to occur, and the Official is close by.

Nuneaton’s goalkeeper in ( necessarily ) scintillating moments. Would the Wood score?

First half saw Nuneaton weathering the onslaught by the Wood and making their own challenge. Super soccer.

The sun sinks lower as the match nears its end. The blue barricade of Nuneaton defenders, and the excellent performance of their keeper made this a match to enjoy and to discuss afterwards

A lovely warm autumn afternoon and a captivating display of meaningful soccer . Love the Wood!

Nuneaton’s grass football ground is encircled by a running track – not greyhounds, though! This made for distant spectating, while the Wood’s banners proclaimed a presence.

Seat-cushion clenching moment in the second half. Nuneaton threaten the Wood’s goal.

Many times throughout the Wood broke through only to be stopped by skilful goalkeeping and . erm. rural defensive play, which attracted the attention of the officials, occasionally.

One of the many high leaping moments during this tussle of an encounter

The match ends. The Wood were put to the test today by Nuneaton.

The Wood played in red. Nuneaton’s goalkeeper played a superb match.

A fast flowing contest where determination, and understandable frustration became increasingly evident.

Close encounter moment in the second half as the Wood try everything to score and Nuneaton try everything to prevent this!

Images and captions by the young David Evans.

Nuneaton Griff gave visitors Walsall Wood a bit of a wake-up call yesterday afternoon (Saturday, 14th October 2017) when they held the Woodmen to a no-score draw.

The home side played well, and Bill Shaw was impressed with their performance, if not that of the Walsall Wood lads…

Hiya Bob,

A frustrating afternoon at the Pingles, not helped by the sixth minute penalty miss. Also an assistant who appeared to be caught in a time warp, constantly giving offside decisions as when the ball was received, not when it was  kicked.

A new manager playing at home for the first time saw Griff turn in a scintillating performance, even without the ball.

It’s seven days rest for Wood but no easy rehabilitation next Saturday with Atherstone Town the visitors. They of course reckon the four-one defeat to Wood was a travesty of justice. So an interesting 90 minutes in prospect, don’t be late, your club needs you.

Nuneaton Griff 0 v 0 Walsall Wood

Ninety minutes of frustration for Wood, culminating in their first draw of the campaign and Studley Town taking advantage as they reclaimed top spot.

Wood took charge from the first whistle penning the Heartlanders back in their half. On five minutes Lewis Taylor Boyce raced onto a long ball forward into the right of the box, his low cross flashing across the face of the goal just in front of Sam Agar. From the goal kick the ball was soon back in the home box, under intense pressure a defender tried to play the ball inside but only found Wood’s Tony Clarke, who avoided one desperate tackle before going down under a clumsy challenge, he took the penalty himself, keeper and man of the match George Woodward diving low to his right.

On nine minutes Peter Till cut inside from wide left, chipped a ball to the far post, Agar first to the ball but his shot was deflected wide. Two minutes later a ball out of defence by Lewis Hayden found Clarke on the right of the box, his first time drive well held by Woodward. On 19 minutes a ball over the top by Callum McFarlane was touched on by Agar to Clarke who hit a rising drive that was superbly touched over by Woodward.  From the corner the ball found its way out wide left to Till, his near post ball flicked narrowly wide by Agar. Three minutes later Agar collected a ball into the right of the box, going through one tackle only for Woodward to save bravely at his feet.

On 26 minutes Jack Colley raced clear wide right, cutting inside only to be stopped by a superbly timed challenge from Craig Deakin as Wood lost concentration.

Six minutes later Hayden delivered a cross to the right hand post, Agar headed the ball back across goal, Jordan Fitzpatrick powered in a header that was somehow kept out by Woodward with a fantastic point blank save. Wood ended the half as they started putting the hosts under constant pressure without making the breakthrough.

The hosts tried to get a foothold in the game at the start of the second half but it was Wood who threatened first on 51 minutes, Agar held the ball up in the centre before releasing Hayden wide right, he made the byeline, fired in a low cross that Frazer Mullis put behind to deny Clarke. Four minutes later a free kick from the left of box to the far post was headed goalwards by Fitzpatrick, Woodward saving easily.  Wood continued to push forward getting more and more frustrated at the home side’s ‘They shall not pass’ tactics, until on 70 minutes substitute Harry Harris hit a 50 yard pass to find Agar wide right, his vicious low cross from the byeline cut out by Mullis. Eight minutes later Deakin raced into the left of the box, his low cross again put behind by the hard working defenders.

Wood were nearly caught out on 80 minutes, an attack broke down, the ball was played up the left hand side, played inside to find Matt Brennan who swung a boot, putting a cross shot wide.  A minute later a long ball over the top was collected at pace by Agar, Woodward out to save bravely at his feet. As in the first half Wood kept up the pressure but brave defending gave Griff a surprising point in manager Courtney Belford’s first home game.

Credit to the home side on a great rearguard performance, never giving Wood any time in front of goal as they worked so hard. Wood had 90% possession but lacked composure in front of goal and paid the price as they lost top spot.

It’s FA Vase action next for Wood with Atherstone Town the visitors on Saturday 21st.

Bill Shaw

The Teams:

Nuneaton Griff – Woodward, Aston (captain), Reader, Davis, Mullis, Wilks, Colley, Lamb, Brennan, Mitchell, Brindley, Slinn, McEwan, Jones, Stringer, Dodd.

Walsall Wood – Ransome, Hayden, Deakin, Meakin-Richards, McFarlane, Tolley (captain), Till, Westwood, Agar, Clarke, Fitzpatrick, Gould, Jones, Okojie, Taylor Boyce, Harris.

Thanks to Bill and David for the wonderful report and images… for the Good of The Wood!