a new sign and a clear meaning

Todays’ welcome visiting team are wearing their yellow and blue strip.

there is the expectation that today’s match will be thoroughly enjoyable to spectate

early in the game and both sides are playing excellent, positive football to the delight of all the spectators

Walsall Wood’s attacking moves meet the determined defenders of the visiting team. Accurate passes and interceptions are evident throughout this encounter.

Possession football and clever off the ball positioning by both teams bring repeated applause from the appreciative spectators in the first half of the game

Later in the first half and tight defences ensure no breakthrough goal by either side. Not yet.

Then the play opens up, just enough to bring rare goal scoring chances for both teams as they try a variety of moves and counter attacking moves. This is delightful and brings well- earned applause from spectators.

Both sides are working hard to score that first goal as the time passes quickly to half time.

Nearly half time and the Wood score their first goal, to the delight of players and home spectators alike

a brief moment of celebration as the Wood score their first goal to take the lead.

Tividale respond to the Wood’s goal as they apply greater pressure in their endeavour to equalise before half time

First half and Tividale are on the attack.

First half still and the Wood are showing their prowess as they launch another well-worked attack on Tividale, who respond with determination and skill. This is a delightful game to watch and enjoy, today

Sporting hard football match for us to delight in as both teams play hard and fair.

A game to enjoy.

second half and both goalkeepers are proving to be key players as only they know how. Super!

few spectators linger outside the bar and by the burger van today as the players get back to work.

The Wood score their second goal early in the second half, giving Tividale a greater challenge. How will they respond?

The cool weather and calm conditions are contributing to make today’s game delightful to watch .

Second half and inevitably some petulance, though not much, creeps in to the game as the visitors try hard but are to score a goal but in doing so are frequently dispossessed. Bostin’ football.

Second half .

Tividale score a goal. Second half. A well worked and executed goal it is, too. The score is now 2 -1 to the Wood.

a brief moment of celebrations for Tividale who are keen to get on with the game.

Later in the second half and Tividale are working hard to gain the equalising goal, putting the Wood to the test. Super match to spectate and appreciate.

Later in the second half. A heavy tackle by a Tividale player brings a burst of testosterone as the referee waits for things to calm down. The he issues a red card. Both the Wood and Tividale are now down to ten players

The mad dash of the last ten minutes of the game are over. The referee ends the match and all the players shake hands with all their opponents. An excellent display of sporting soccer.

Pictures and captions kindly supplied by David Evans

Yesterday afternoon (Saturday 5th October 2019) Walsall Wood were again at home – and entertained visitors Tividale at Oak Park. Following a good sporting match, Wood emerged the victors cementing their run of good form.

David Evans clearly enjoyed the afternoon:

Hiya Bob,

Walsall Wood 2 v 1 Tividale
Saturday 5th October 2019

The immaculately prepared welcoming green grass at Oak Park, the lip-smacking aroma of burgers and hotdogs sizzling away always brings a smile to the face and a puts a spring in the step of spectators. Visitors who have travelled from Tividale are always made welcome by the home supporters in the pre-match moments of socialising and friendly banter around a glass of local ale, or a cup of best tea.

The pre-match warm-up routines by the two teams give the opportunity to appreciate the fitness and ball skils that are often taken for granted, but are a vital necessity in every match.

The match officials too, have to warm up and loosen muscles and tendons in their own carefully choreographed routine, to well-meaning choral accompaniment from the stand.

Today’s fixture would be important for both sides, and therapeutic for the home spectators.

The match got under way and both sides soon settled down to good, meaningful soccer. Deft through passes, bright interceptions and accurate play brought frequent appreciation and applause from the numerous spectators, young and not so young.

Where a player received the ball he would immediately attract the attention and presence of opponents, eager to dispossess and then launch their own  attacking moves. This was delightful to spectate. Long kicks from goal, high lobbing kicks  forward, deft touches to pass the ball to the wing players, delicate footwork to bring a high pass to ground, numerous corner kicks this game had every aspect that highlights the skill of every participant.

The Wood score the first goal in the first half and despite the urgent play of the visitors the score remained at one nil at half time.

The usual cucumber sandwiches and fine tea in bone china teacups were doubtless enjoyed by the players in the privacy of their respective changing rooms, with gentle conversation offered by their  doting managers.

Highly professional footage of last week’s Highgate match with interesting unendorsed ambient commentary that came in too late for the relevant match report, which can be read here. The film is shot and edited for Wood TV by the remarkably talented Russell Smith of The-Wood.TV.

Meanwhile thirsty supporters in droves made their way to the hydration and nourishment stations, to gulp and enjoy the well-named Viking Ale, delicious beef burgers and vinegar-drenched chips. It’s a Black Country tradition that dates back to times when things were…. Different.

With the score at one nil to the home side the game resumed, with a marked increased sense of urgency as both teams continued to give of their sporting best. The real grass playing surface presented all the players the soft landing cushion that was frequently vital to add the finishing touch to a fast, accurate, positive game.

The Wood scored their second goal, to the chagrin of their opponents. They scored a fine goal later in the second half, with only a few minutes left of the game

Perhaps inevitably the need to score and make amends brought some solid contacts at times. One rapid tackle brought the games temperature up quite a way. The offending away player was thus required to leave the field of play and have an early shower. The final part of the match was now played by teams of ten players. The consequential frenetic pressure by Tividale nearly brought them their  equalising goal, but the Wood’s solid defences held steady. The referees’ final whistle brought a thrilling game to its end. Mightily fatigued players breathed heavily for moments; some to relish the elation of winning, others to share a brief moment’s disappointment of losing.

But, today the wonderful sport of local soccer was the winner. Spectators witnessed some of the very best the sport can offer, played out by  two positive, skilful teams. Today we had this in abundance. Both teams are to be loudly congratulated.

The final score was a win to Walsall Wood by  two goals to one.

David Evans.

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