Brocton are old Wood adversaries. Image from Pitch Side Stories.

Last Tuesday evening saw Walsall Wood FC travel to Brocton FC at Stafford – and once again, the Wood emerged with a stunning score sheet that’s making many question the nature of the water in Walsall Wood at the moment.

Bill Shaw was there, and wrote:

Hi Bob,

Another three points with a second half rout of the Badgers. Sad to see Adam Wood stretchered off, we all hope it’s not as bad as it looks Woody, good luck mate.

The six goals took Woods tally to 18 in the last three games, eight of which have come from Paul Sullivan as he makes up for lost time after his month out with injury.

In the league cup we face an away trip to Stourport Swifts, guess who we face in Round Three of the FA Vase? Yes Swifts away on December 2nd.

The last Saturday in November sees us face another big test when we visit Atherstone Town, we’ve beaten them twice at the Wood but both games were close.

Bill Shaw (Retired.)

P.S. This is a far easier way of reporting games.

Brocton 0 v 6 Walsall Wood

Not something I’m used to doing, but in the words of Boldmere legend Alan Parsons, ‘If you can use something, do so.’  So here’s my amended version of Tuesday night’s report on the Brocton game.

This was certainly a game of two halves, the Badgers held the high flying visitors to no goals in a competitive first half but they couldn’t live with the Wood as a Paul Sullivan inspired side ran riot in the second 45 minutes.

There were plenty of glimpses of Woods abilities in the first half but Brocton were dangerous on the counter attack with Paul McMahon a constant threat. Dan Lomas as always was prominent but the best chance on 30 minutes saw McMahon set up Joe Hartshorne but the speedy reaction of the Wood defenders saw his effort smothered.

The second half was a different story altogether, just three minutes in and a slightly mistimed tackle in the box handed Wood a penalty – Sullivan 1-0.  If that was harsh on the Badgers the understandable but naïve attempt to then go to all-out attack was a disaster. On 55 minutes Sullivan collected a ball on the edge of the box, ran on and his superbly controlled lob gave the advancing Adam Jenkins no chance. The custodian was powerless two minutes later when Sullivan completed a 12 minute hat-trick as he rounded the keeper and chipped home. On 67 minutes after a concerted bout of pressure the ball found it’s way out to Jordan Fitzpatrick on the left of the box and his low drive flew into the bottom left hand corner. On 80 minutes a defensive mix up let in Peter Till who scored from close range.  We saved the best until last with a contender for goal of the season, Craig Deakin broke up an attack in his own half and powered forward to the left edge of the box before firing in a rising drive that flew past the shell shocked Jenkins to complete a second half demolition job on the Badgers.

The win takes Wood to within two points of leaders Studley with three games still in hand.

Saturday sees the Badgers visit Studley whilst Wood face a trip to free scoring Heath Hayes who have scored one goal less than Wood but have conceded 35 more, can’t see it being a goal-less draw somehow.

The Teams:

Brocton – Jenkins, Phillips, Robinson, Juxon, Wood, Wright, Lomas, Burns, P. McMahon, Hartshorne, Curtis, Devoir, Stuart, Taylor D. McMahon.

Walsall Wood – Ransome, Hayden, Deakin, Hurren, Slater, Tolley (captain), Mugisha, Westwood, Sullivan, Clarke, Fitzpatrick, Till, Butler, McFarlane, Meekin-Richards, Agar.

Thanks to Bill for the report, as ever. Onwards and upwards!