a cool northerly breeze to herald a hot contest this afternoon

first half close encounter soccer action. This was an all –out, full- strength sporting contest

Both sides played meaningful soccer, to the delight of the large number of spectators.

After only three minutes of the match the Wood score a superb well- crafted first goal. The crowd cheered and applauded. Excellent start to the game.

a moment to celebrate and then its back to work. How will Coventry respond?

Coventry begin to show their skill as they respond well, here challenging to Wood’s resolute defence

This was a contest for grown-up men, where each pass was accurate, each tackle determined, each leap for a high ball demanding full effort. Here the Wood’s Captain Marvellous goes for a high ball.

Still the first half and there is no let-up in either effort or commitment by both sides. Excellent soccer

Bravely suffering the sharp northerly wind, these spectators at the front of the stand watch the game evolve as half time, and the thrill of a beefburger and cup of hot brew approach.

First half still and the concentration and determination of the players is self-evident; Wood pressing for a second goal, Coventry working hard to catch up. Quality and skill. Non league football at its best being played out here, today.

The Wood’s “Great Red Wall “is seen here.

Nearly half time and the Wood score another goal, there, in the distance.

Coventry launch a well-played counter- attack and use accurate long passes to effect. A super game to spectate and enjoy, of course.

Coventry put the Wood under pressure as they go on the offensive. Soon time for a cup of tea.

A large crowd of spectators enjoyed the game, and the delicious beefburgers.

Second half and a revitalised Coventry are finding that the Wood’s half time cucumber sandwiches and tea served by their manager are also bringing their reward. Here an accurate long ball finds its mark and the Wood again threaten to score another goal.

Second half, and despite now conceding a goal to Coventry, the Wood are on song. In a blur a third goal arrives before my camera has time to focus. Love the Wood

Later in the second half, and after the Wood have rocketed in a fourth goal, an understandably disconsolate Coventry walk up to re-start the match. The day was to be the Wood’s, though.

Images and captions kindly supplied by David Evans

Walsall Wood FC were at home to Coventry Sphinx yesterday afternoon (Saturday, 24th March 2019), and won somewhat resoundly, continuing this seasons run of general good form.

This match leaves Wood second in the table on 64 points – just three points behind leaders Ilkeston Town with 67 and 7 above Sporting Khalsa’s third position at 57.

David Evans has submitted an excellent match report, as he usually does:

Hi Bob

Walsall Wood 4 v 1 Coventry Sphinx

A very important match was set to take place at Oak Park today. The pitch  looked splendid as usual, the biting cold northerly wind was its usual self, a large crowd of well-lubricated spectators of all ages and girths surrounded the perimeter fence, some standing tall and proud, others just standing.

There was to be no loud fanfare  from the sound machine this afternoon and the opportunity to converse and socialise with locals and visiting fans from Coventry was taken and everyone shared in the eager anticipation of the thrilling game to come.

The match started and the Wood were  dominant and forceful from the start. Their accurate soccer and resulting early gains brought an added spark to the already fast pace of the game. But, Coventry, urged and encouraged by their vociferous management team seemed to be in defensive mode. A measure of greater confidence in themselves was yet to be apparent at this stage of the match.

Excellent passing and  tackling by both teams characterised the overall play, with the Wood showing  more maturity and coherence perhaps. Add to this the sparkling, dazzling play by some of the Wood’s team throughout the match and an understandable frustration among the Coventry side did take the edge of an otherwise positive game.

Yet Coventry, when they were two goals down started the second half by cheekily shooting for goal, from the centre spot… put their mark down  for what was to come.

The Wood, for their part, excelled, to the delight of the home spectators. An almost successful overhead scissor-kick, and shot rebounding from the crossbar, rapid running with and for the ball. Well –worked accurate passing, delightful speciality moves, challenging tactics, all gave the home goalkeeper little to worry about today.

Today the sun shone weakly and a chill northerly breeze tickled the corner flags but the spectators were treated to a match to savour and stamp their feet, cheer and shout for this afternoon. The team are on song and full of it – confidence and top class spirit, and, my word,  it shows.

Love the Wood!

Thanks to David for the pictures and report – for the Good of The Wood!

Also a couple of orphaned match reports from the last couple of weeks by Simon Evans, who’s been attending away matches when David has been unable. He sent the following reports:

Dunkirk 0 v 7 Walsall Wood
Saturday 9th March 2019

On a cold and blustery afternoon, Dunkirk hosted Walsall Wood.

From the off, Walsall Wood looked sharp, Matt Dodds thwarted by the Dunkirk defender. Javia Roberts was causing the Dunkirk defence trouble with his pace. From a resulting corner, the Dunkirk defence cleared the ball and had a counter attack, the resulting shot didn’t test LLoyd Ransome in the Wood goal. Paul Sullivan then had a shot blocked by the Dunkirk defender, the ball fell to John Atherton whose shot hit the side netting.

The opening goal came on 24 minutes, a cross was headed out to Javia Roberts, who’s shot went in off the post. 0-1

Soon after it got better for the Wood, from a long goal kick by Lloyd Ransome, Javia Roberts won a corner. The corner was crossed in, Dunkirk keeper Alex Smith pushed the ball out to Jak Barnes who’s shot found the back of the net. 0-2

HT 0-2

The second half started brightly for the Wood, Matt Dodds having a great chance but the shot hit the side netting. Dunkirk then had penalty appeal waved away, Wood countered Matt Dodds raced through but Alex Smith was equal to the effort making a fine save.

On 60 minutes Wood scored again, Matt Dodds raced through again, his pull back was met by a combination of Javia Roberts and Dunkirk sub Nat Appiah, the ball finding the back of the net 0-3 .

On 66 minutes Paul Sullivan rounded off a fine performance with Woods 4th goal. 0-4. Wood were rampant now and were looking for more goals. On 69 minutes a reckless challenge by Dunkirk keeper Alex Smith saw him yellow carded and a penalty to the Wood. Mitch Tolley making no mistakes   0-5.

On 73 minutes the Wood were awarded another penalty, Alex Smith the Dunkirk keeper getting a second yellow, which saw him sent off. Up Stepped Mitch Tolley who again made no mistake from the spot 0-6.
The next attack saw Peter Till’s pass met sweetly by Mitch Tolley, his effort just the wrong side of the post.

Dunkirk then had a half chance, but the effort didn’t trouble Lloyd Ransome in the Wood goal.

In injury time Javia Roberts raced through, but the substitute Dunkirk keeper pulled off a fine save. Not to be outdone, the next attack, Javia Roberts ran into the box, his pullback was met by Kevin Monterio who made no mistake from close range. 0-7

Stourport Swifts 1 v 2 Walsall Wood
Saturday 2nd March 2019

Walsall Wood gave starts to their new acquisitions, Kaylum Mitchell and Matt Dodd. Wood  started on the front foot. An early free kick was easily held by the Stourport keeper. The first real chance saw Lloyd Ransome in the Wood goal with a fine save to thwart the Stourport attacker. Both teams were creating half chances but there was no end product.

A great long range pass from Mitch Tolley found John Atherton who surged into the box, but shot high over the bar. A Stourport freekick was headed over by the Stourport Attacker. HT 0-0

The scond half started, the first attempt fell to Stourport, but the shot was over the bar. Wood started to get a foot hold. A freekick resulted in a corner which was cleared. A long range effort by the Stourport attacker, saw Lloyd Ransome make a fine fingertip save.

The breakthrough came just after the hour, Matt Dodd was bundled over in the box. Mitch Tolley scoring the resulting penalty. 0-1.

Within a couple of minutes Stourport had equalised, a towering header finding the back of the net. 1-1. With time running out, Wood went searching for the winning goal, John Atherton found Javia Roberts but the keeper was equal to the effort.

With time almost up, Paul Sullivan’s cross was met by Javia Roberts, who’s header found the back of the net. Soon after the ref blew for FT, Wood winning 2-1

My thanks to Simon for those reports: I know you’ve been busy old chap just been waiting for an appropriate post to attach them to.

Check out Walsall Wood FC’s website here.