The visitors wore green today

Interesting body language

Early in the match and a rare attack on goal by the Wood. One of those games

The Wood fielded a side depleted by injury and work commitments elsewhere.

Worcester’s tall defence line proved very challenging for the Wood today

Seen from the vantage point of the stand

First half and a build-up to an attack on Worceter’s goal. Sadly, thwarted by the visitors’ lofty players.

One of the numerous breakaway attacking moves by Worcester. Effective and clinical

There seemed to be a fair amount of pushing before the corner kick ball arrived today. Different

First half and the Wood are on the attack.

Grabbing a handful

Nearly half time. Smell those burgers. No score yet. Ominous?

Second half and a different aura. More spice now..at last.

Second half and a huge cheer goes up from the large number of visiting supporters, but no goal. Wonderful goalkeeping. Applause. Much more like it now, then

Second half and a well deserved goal following a neat interception in midfield. Worcester lead one goal to nil.

Celebration time after scoring the first goal. Come on the Wood!

Second half and time for a whistle, a word and a card. A brief interlude in a well-played open game of soccer.

Second half and Worcester score another well-worked and deserved goal. Two, nil now

Later in the second half and the Wood’s manager is deep in thought, briefly.

Later in the second half. Penalty kick is put away to bring the score to two goals to one in favour of Worcester. Cushion clenching time.

The final whistle. The game ends in a slightly ragged fashion. Not the Wood’s day, today

Images and captions kindly supplied by the young David Evans.

A fine autumn Saturday afternoon yesterday (29th September 2018) saw Walsall Wood FC lose to Oak Park visitors Worcester City in an entertaining match that frustrated blog football reporter David Evans…

But first, after the match yesterday, Walsall Wood FC made a very important announcement which I have been asked to post here.

The club said:

Following a number of meetings over the past week, we can now confirm that Manger Gary Birch will be stepping down as First Team Manager with immediate effect and has been appointed Director of Football at Walsall Wood FC.

The following decision has not been taken easily and has been made due to a change in Gary’s personal work commitments. Gary’s new position will be to assist with first team duties and help us develop an improved structure at Youth level for Boys and Girls.

Gary will assist myself, as Chairman, the board members and committee  in continuing the development all aspects of Walsall Wood FC.

This is a very exciting time to be part of Walsall Wood FC and the club are delighted Gary has accepted this role.

FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENT

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Darren Byfield as First Team Manager with immediate effect. Darren brings with him a wealth of experience and connections in the non-league pyramid.

Darren will be assisted by Richard Teesdale (Assistant Manager), Gavin Hurren (First Team Coach) and Jehmiah Richards (Physiotherapist).

We look forward to this new structure off the field and hope you all continue to show your magnificent support as you have always done.

Justin Hodgin
Chairman
Walsall Wood Football Club.

David said:

Walsall Wood 1 v 2 Worcester City

Walsall Wood welcomed Worcester players and their large throng of friendly supporters to Oak Park on a beautifully sunny late autumn afternoon. There was a slight chill in the air but the lack of breeze and the finely manicured real grass playing surface were sure to give both teams the opportunity to delight the supporters today.

And yet, and yet, Walsall Wood were sadly only able to field a team  that was depleted by ongoing unresolved injury and professional commitments elsewhere. How would the team in red fare in these circumstances?

The first half highlighted the differences between a regular side, in this case, that of Worcester, and Walsall Wood’s eleven players, who,  though ably dealing with Worcester’s numerous attacking moves, seemed to lack the final co-ordinated moves in their infrequent attacks on Worcester’s goal.

Fine , solid play in midfield was evident in  both sides throughout this fluid game today. Worcester’s attackers were fleet of foot and worldly-wise. Wood’s defence was resolute and powerful where and when it was required. But there seemed to be a regularity, and predictability about this game, from both sides.

The game needed a firecracker, to set the game alight. For Walsall Wood, especially.

This in itself reflected the tightness and skilful soccer  that was being played out in front of the spectators. In this contest where the visitors had the slight edge in accuracy of passing, Wood gave them space and time to achieve this. Wood, on the other hand, performed better in the leaping for high balls, and delighted the home crowd with some very sweet accurate tackles, seen before in several other matches recently. 
Spectators  were enjoying  the mature nature of this display of fine soccer, but the game needed a goal.

At half time there was still none . Would the tea  and wholemeal cucumber sandwiches with the trainers work their usual magic?

The second half came alight and the two teams seemed to have been supercharged by the brew and crusts. Now we saw much more determination by the visitors who kicked accurately, turned, passed, tackled, ran with gusto. And so did the Wood, who played their hearts out.

The visitors achieved that  important first goal, and then within a few minutes another to give the Wood a mountain to climb. To their credit, the Wood pulled out all the stops, firing on all four cylinders, gained a penalty goal, and so very nearly scored a second goal to earn a score draw. But, not today, and the events of the day did not end with the final whistle, either.

David Evans

Thanks to David there – For The Good Of The Wood!

Walsall Wood Football Club are a top local side and last season’s league champions 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.