Two teams, two sets of excellent footballers, playing their hearts out. Delightful to watch and fully appreciated by all the spectators.

Early in the first half and after numerous meaningful cup-tie clashes the Wood break through to score the vital first goal.

Understandable elation at scoring the equalising goal. Its game on, now chaps.

The Wood celebrate the first goal as Whitchurch, momentarily are downcast. Their thunderous cacophony that is their away supporters are stunned in to brief, but blessed silence. This is a cup tie to savour, as are the beefburgers and chips.

First half and two players leap for the ball, keeping a respectable distance. Of course

Later in the second half and the Wood put Whitchurch under pressure.

Elation at scoring the second goal and now a huge challenge for Whitchurch to respond. Second half and it’s a thrill a minute, end to end match.

Nearly half time and Whitchurch number one fan, wearing a borrowed Policeman’s hat, is keen not to miss a moment of the thrilling match, In the second half the Whitchurch famous “Gentle Choir” plus percussion, join the spectators in the stand. Bless them. Good fun!

Second goal to the Wood . Thunderous match, this

Then, as suddenly as it started, the game is over. The Wood have played very well and with determination and now they go through to the next round. Top class soccer by two excellent teams today, again, here at Oak Park.

First half and the Wood are on song, as are Whitchurch. Super soccer to spectate.

Concentration

Early in the first half and a test for the home goalkeeper. Whitchurch are here to gain a win today!

Later in the first half. Whitchurch take a free kick and score the equalising goal. The away supporters go in to delirious mode….and bang their blessed drum.

Late in the first half and Whitchurch keeper is put to the test.

This was a rollocking match as seen here. Second half brings a new dimension to the game.

Fetch a ball off the roof, get a grandstand view. Fair deal.

A bright, blustery afternoon and the stage is set. Walsall Wood are in all red strip; Whitchurch have white tops and blue bottoms. This is going to be a cracker!

Second half. Occasionally the rollocking nature of the play was momentarily checked by the referee when some tackles were, well, over rollocked I suppose.

Images and captions Kindly supplied by the young David Evans.

Well, a resurgent Walsall Wood, undimmed by their recent defeat by Ilkeston triumphed over Whitchurch yesterday afternoon (Saturday, 25th August 2018) and on the previous Tuesday over Loughborough to kickstart their FA Cup run for this season – David Evans was there for the action at both matches, and submitted the following reports.

Saturday 25th August 2018
Walsall Wood FC 2 v 1 Whitchurch Alport FC

This was set to be a hard match for either side to win; and that’s the nature of cup-ties. Whitchurch Alport FC were welcomed at Oak Park with the band of hardy, raucous and vociferous supporters who have graced this  venue in the past.

The game started at the cracking pace it was played at through all the ninety plus minutes of excellent football that the spectators enjoyed. Emotion and audience participation is part of football matches for the fans. There was much to get excited about in this sporting and well-played contest. Both teams showed excellent ball control, skilful manoeuvres, fine passing and long range kicks. The leaping for high balls was one of the special features of todays game, reflecting the athleticism and determination that brought the match  to life.

There was little give and take as both teams struggled and strove to make a break through to score the vital first goal. It was the Wood who achieved this through sheer skill, and the game came to life. A tackle adjudged to be too enthusiastic gave Whitchurch a free kick from which they scored the equalising goal, to a roar from their travelling faithful.

Professional video report of the match from Ruseel Smith’s The_Wood.tv.

There were numerous substitutions in the second half as the visitors tried different tactics but the Wood scored another goal, their second, which gave the visitors an almost impossible task. The Wood kept up the pressure until the final whistle was blown by the ever-patient referee and suddenly the sporting spectacle came to an end. Joy for the home team; despondency for the visitors. This was a match to remember, for many different, positive reasons.

Final score, Walsall Wood, two goals, Whitchurch Alport FC one goal.

Nearly half time and still the Wood put pressure on Loughborough. A hungry pigeon looks on.

First half and the Wood’s goalkeeper is put to the test as Loughborough make and take scoring opportunities. Here, a fine saving deflection by the keeper brings a stinging attack to a safe conclusion for the Wood

The magic that is the Wood is now bearing down on the Loughborough goal, again and again. Second half.

First half and the Wood’s goalkeeper is put to the test as Loughborough make and take scoring opportunities. Here, a fine saving deflection by the keeper brings a stinging attack to a safe conclusion for the Wood

Second half. The overnight rain has brought a refreshing new green hue to the stage of this Theatre of Dreams. Players of both sides are obviously enjoying the spring in the surface. Spectators, now hydrated and replete, are enjoying the fine soccer match

Celebration, and a blurred image. Very nearly full time now.

Approaching half time, a glorious sunset, and a glorious display of well-mannered and sporting soccer by both teams.

The half time whistle sounds and the stragglers, sat sitting in the stand, suddenly realise that the hydration and neck oil station, is open, as is the Griddle and chips van. Come on, chaps….

The second half starts and a last customer tools up with a fistful of quality beef burger with all the trimmings and a cup of best brew tea. This sporting life, Walsall Wood style.

Early in the first half and the players already show determination and it is Loughborough who show more of a spring in their step in the first part of the game.

…a little bit of this, and a little bit of that! Love the Wood. Three goals up now.

First half and the game is quickly maturing in to a fine display of skilful soccer as Loughborough display very measured passing soccer and athleticism, bringing quick response from the Wood.

First half and the Wood’s spirits are high after scoring and here they launch another attack on Loughborough’s goal.

Full time. A glorious display of proficient soccer by two sporting sides. Respect to both teams.

Second half, and following a little bit of this, and a little bit of that, the Wood score their second goal…and a cracker of a goal it is, too.

Second goal celebration. How will Loughborough respond ? They have played accurate, swift soccer and yet the Wood are gaining the upper hand. Most decisively, now

A beautiful August evening heralds a fine football match at Oak Park

A moment of joy for the dedicated Wood players. How will Loughborough respond?

A sweet, sweet goal by the Wood in the later part of the first half. Cheers ring out around the ground and are even heard in the ether and distant lands, even I am reliably informed.

Images and captions Kindly supplied by the young David Evans.

Tuesday 21st August 2018
Walsall Wood 3 v o Loughborough University FC 

Following last Saturday’s high spirited game here at Oak Park  I was not sure what to expect this evening. What I was privileged to see was a thoroughly sporting game of soccer played by both sides, both determined to gain three points through honest fair play.

Consequently spectators were able to follow the developing contest with some measure of calm and composure. This composure and calm confidence was there on the pitch, too, and in abundance. Loughborough started the game perhaps the brighter of the two sides, or,  maybe the Wood’s experience was such that this was only an impression and the Wood were biding their time.

Professional video report of the match from Ruseel Smith’s The_Wood.tv.

Wood scored the first of their three goals in a workmanlike proficient way that was a glorious as the warm rays of the setting sun beyond the silhouette of the Pithead statue…

The second half, played under floodlights with summer on the wane now… Was characterised by neat accurate ground passing by Loughborough. This was a feature of their play throughout the game, and different tactics from the  Wood’s repertoire.

This proved decisive for the outcome of the game and the Wood marked up a refreshing win, three goal to Loughborough’s nil.

My thanks to David, Russell and everyone at Walsall Wood FC for yet another week of cracking, high-quality community football and wonderful coverage. It’s all For the Good of The Wood!