The captains shake hands before the start of the match. AFC played in blue

Early in the first half. Pressure by the Wood. Bitingly cold wind blowing the length of the pitch.

Early in the first and both teams are eager to win today. It shows.

First half, following a cruel heavy tackle on a Wood player by an AFC player.

First half. AFC on the attack.

First half. Good soccer. Precocious fresh wind.

First half. Both sides are getting the measure of their opponents now.

First half. This petulance is not going to end well, is it?

First half and petulant behaviour is dealt with. Now, to get on with football, then

Two vs one. No problems

Sailing close to the wind.

Wood defend well . A solid game of soccer. Very solid

Later in the first half and another “so close” moment. No goal. Again

Nearly half time and no breakthrough goal despite both sides’ efforts

Nearly half time and a cup of steaming tea and a burger . Must.

Second half. Still nil, nil. Time for fresh legs and different tactics.

Second half. Such a close contest today.

Later in the second half. Still no result. And the wind is freezing.

Second half . Some delightful individual skills on show today.

Second half and the Wood launch another attack.

AFC quiet captain. Very world-wise.

Late in the second half and AFC still cannot contain this player, and they had tried everything

Almost full time, and AFC have tried everything the book and more. Here a penalty shot finds the net to give them the only goal of the match. Odd.

AFC celebrate their goal.

The match ends. Two managers shake hands.

Tuesday last (17th January 2016), the Woodmen faced AFC Wulfrunians at Oak Park, and sadly, were met with another resounding defeat.It’s all change down at Walsall Wood FC’s Oak Park ground, where there’s a new team manager in Darren Byfield, and the faithful yesterday (Saturday, 6th October 2018) were hoping for a win – but it was not to be.

The young David Evans braved the cold in stoic optimism, and came home afterwards not entirely amused:

Walsall Wood FC 0 v 1 AFC Wulfrunians
 
A bitingly cold afternoon and a fresh start for Walsall Wood as Darren Byfield  was welcomed into the furnace room of management here at Oak Park.

AFC Wulfrunians and the Wood played some determined accurate football despite the fresh wind that blew the whole length of the pitch. An early vicious tackle on a Wood player risked turning this fine contest sour, which would have been highly regretable for the visitors and for the home side in equal measure. However, this and some unwelcome petulance was dealt with and then spectators were able to enjoy a positive game of soccer.

There was a definite spring in the step of the home side, still weakened by ongoing injury, and with a side chosen by the manager to showcase and introduce new players. This gave today’s contest a new and captivating facet for all the spectators. How would these players fare? 
 
The first half brought speedy through passing, running, some superb headers, and very little slack play by both sides. The game sparkled from start to finish of this half.

Half time break, piping hot soup or tea for the flash chilled spectators; steaming hot broth with wholemeal croutons for the players, served with accompanying gentle small-talk by their respective managers.
 
Thus revived, refreshed and reinvigorated the players emerged from the comfort of the changing rooms to play out the second half. Spectators shuffled back to their stations, throats lubricated, mufflers tightly re-knotted and dentures defrosted. Now this hotly contested game took on a newness and a gritted determination all of its own. Now another side took its enforced turn to play into the polar wind.
 
There was some interesting  audible vocality  in the visitors’  play at times  and  apparent increasing frustration as again and again they  found themselves confronted by  the stalwart resolute defensive thin Red Line. The Wood now took on a more openly proactive,  sweepingly  broad approach to their attacks, but were met by a pack of Wulfrunians in close order defence.

The  Wood today lacked the attacking formation and rapid counter-attack’s finishing moves that the Wulfrunians performed to good effect. 
A penalty was awarded by the referee, following vocal encouragement by the visitors, for, well, to be honest, I cannot say. A  Wood player was sent off and following the inevitable goal to the visitors, the depleted home side had to play their hearts out to contain and hold the line. 
AFC Wulfrunians will be pleased with today’s fortuitous victory. A draw would have been a more fitting result, all things considered.

David Evans
 

Cheers to David for a great report and pictures, as ever.

Walsall Wood are a good team and an excellent, community-spirited club. They need our support – please do attend the coming games if you can.

For The Good of the Wood!