Yesterday afternoon (Saturday 8th December 2018) Walsall Wood FC faced Shepshed Dynamo at home, and fought an excellent match which ended in a four-all draw.

David Evans was there for the action, and found some changes afoot at the Wood he was uncomfortable with.

He submitted the following match report and gallery of images above:

Hiya Bob,

Walsall Wood 4 v 4 Shepshed Dynamo
 
In this Advent period, where people’s minds are filled with the demands and trials of the imminent festive season, on a dank and bleary Saturday afternoon the scene was set. Shepshed’s famous good-hearted avid supporters arrived and, like me, were somewhat confused by what we met. Chelsea’s famous refreshments caravan that the more seasoned visitors to Oak Park had grown to love was there as usual.

And yet, oddly, I felt somewhat of a stranger to the ground. The clubhouse was devoid of the friendly supporters, home and away. What was going on?  Visitors asked questions, I could not help. There were no signs or directions. The matchday programme highlighted the departures of assistant managers and others. What was going on?

The match itself was best summed up by one of the visiting supporters as we shook hands in the car park after the game. ‘That was the best match I have seen all season’. We exchanged  brief pleasantries and I wished the gentleman a safe journey as he set off to drive back home.

We had experienced the pleasure of spectating a rollocking, barn-storming totally enthralling exhibition of football played by real sportsman. There was nothing untoward, not in this match. The game and the sportsman on the field of honour defied the torrential cloudburst and heavy deluge that could, and perhaps should have halted the match temporarily. But such was the resolve and determination of all the players that this nail-biter of a game was unstoppable. 

The managers and physios stood still like overflowing gargoyles as the rain lashed down , not moving from their stations. We, the spectators sat sitting in the stand, were frankly astonished, and appreciative.

The first half came to a welcome, drenched conclusion and the sodden players and match officials headed for the brief comfort  of the changing rooms while we spectators made our way to Chelsea’s famous refreshment caravan by the entrance gate area. 

But first, I went in to the clubhouse to shake hands with the posse of visitors as they enjoyed the hospitality offered to the visiting committee.
I headed back outside to the refreshment caravan to buy a cup of tea and a hotdog. No tea!  No longer served at the refreshments caravan. What? worse still, the caravan will cease attending from the end of this season.

Confused and irked in equal measure, I returned to the stand late to see the kick off for the second half and watch the thrill of the game. The rain had stopped and I was thirsty.

The final score was four goals to each team. The winners were the squadron of fine visiting Shepshed supporters and their committee who had driven all those miles to find confusing and seemingly unworkable refreshments arrangements and lack of signs for the toilets etc. in the ground at Oak Park.

I think I will take a thermos flask of tea with me to future home games then…

David Evans

My thanks to David for an excellent and frank report as ever.

For the good of the Wood!