Nearing half time now and the Wood begin to fire on all cylinders. Swifts do, too. A cracking game is developing as the match progresses. Thrilling to spectate.

Second half and the Wood are battling away, and yet again, to no avail. The goal post has been rattled by fierce, goal- bound shots…every time within millimetres of scoring. Not today. Pinch and punch!

The referee blows his whistle to signal the end of a thrilling fast game of positive soccer. Applause and respect.

Second half now, and the Wood have had a gentle hug from their manager as they stirred the Earl Grey in their bone china cups. Now for some soccer with a large measure of spice? It is needed. “Come on the Wood “penetrates hearing aids near and far, too fast for the well-beloved to find the volume controls. Eyes sparkle as a consequence. A newness of spirited play is patently obvious to all now. The uplifting effect of a good cuppa…and a hug.

The Wood are intent on scoring that vital first goal before the half time break for tea and cucumber sandwiches yet come what may, that ball just will not go in that darling little net. It is one of those matches again!

Second half of the second half now and the Wood are in blazing action. How the ball just did not cross the Swifts line I will never know. Had someone surreptitiously cling-filmed the goalmouth? First of the salvo of rapid shots…..

Captains shake hands with the referee on this, his first visit to the Theatre of Dreams. It will be an education, I can feel it in my screws.

First half and the unmistakable aroma of frying onions and grilled beef waft gently across the pitch, floating above the perspiring players’ heads. An irresistible aroma, causing players to leap in the air to inhale the delightful perfume from time to time.

Second half and the game cracks on here at Oak Park. End to end football with a generous sprinkling of lofty balls in the mixture. This is turning into a highly appetising feast, worthy of any cordon bleu cuisine. Sporting soccer made to make your mouths water. Fresh with a zest of citrus

Second half and the full frontal onslaught on the Swifts goal continues….No, it was not a goal. Don’t ask.

Second half pause in proceedings and a Clint Eastwood western film moment. Spit on a dog.

Later in the first half and players from both sides display a level of skill and invention that momentarily makes spectators hold their breath. Love soccer!

First half and temporary sobriety enables some spectators to salute the players on the field whilst others jealously guard their precious liquid rations. A game to enjoy and to marvel at the skill on display. Super sporting soccer today.

A beautiful afternoon. September 1st and a pinch and a punch? Stourport Swifts playing in yellow and black stripes, echoing the summer’s pesky wasps. Ominous? An interesting scene is set.

Tea, chips, burgers with onions are all ready…and the ale is at just the right temperature, as always.

Second half and this match has rarely needed the attention of the referee. A good encounter of two well balanced sides. Sadly, this occasion did require the issuing of a yellow card to match the player’s kit. Then on with the game and no residual petulance. Sportsmen in top quality sporting action.

In the last few minutes before half time and the Swifts from Stourport are threatening the Wood’s goal. So evenly matched , and no breakthrough goal by either side.

Early in the first half and the Swifts are on the attack, trying to swoop on goal. The Wood have their tempo set by these first forays. Going to be a bright, industrious match, this one is.

Later in the first half and the Wood begin to deploy different tactics, with some effect. But the Swifts show resilience and a measure of co-ordinated defence. Captivating, and appreciated by supporters of both sides.

Images and captions kindly supplied by the young David Evans.

Walsall Wood FC were unbeaten yesterday (Saturday 1st September 2018) as yet another home match saw them face visitors Stourport Swifts – although there does seem to be something of a goal drought underway.

Blog football correspondent David Evans submitted the following report:

Saturday 1st September 2018
Walsall Wood 0 v 0 Stourport Swifts

The last of the summer sunshine brought an unexpected though welcome dimension to this first meeting of these teams this season.

A competitive and fully sporting game of quality football graced the beautifully manicured grass at Oak park. For the Wood the task was clear and simple and for the Swifts the unknown strengths of the home team created a dilemma. Swifts early play showed a measure of well-worked passing and running that tested the home team – but the Wood always rise to the level of effort and industry required.

Excellent defensive play by the home side underlined the strength and ability in this premier division. Last week’s visitors brought a different, more  earthy challenge. Today’s test was one of refinement. The propensity to using high lobbing kicks, though understandable, was ultimately of questionable worth in assisting either side to break through the stiff defensive lines that both possessed.

It was in the second half, and especially the last twenty minutes of this closely fought game that the Wood brought in their substitutions, to add diversity and surprise to their repertoire.

The game sparkled from this moment. A barrage of shots on goal rattled the side posts, again and again. The visiting side’s defence  trembled and quaked  as  a sea of red assaulted their battlements, to roars from the home supporters, those sober and those… Less so.

This was a superb game of tactical soccer, determined tackling and running, fine ball control and accurate short and long range shots. Though the supporters all wanted a win for their team, in the end a draw was the result.

Today real, proper, skilful sporting soccer was the winner, and remedied any lingering unpleasant memories from one recent home league game.

As ever, thanks to David for the report – always appreciated. For The Good of the Wood!