Ron Tranter, a true WWFC legend, who died very recently. Todays match was to be for him.

a minute’s silence to respect, reflect, remember, and cherish.

Within the first few minutes of the first half the Wood score a fine goal and the crowd rise to their feet. This is go-ing to be a full-on competition.

a moment’s celebration as the Wood need to press on as surely Coventry will reply in their own way.

First half still and the Wood show a refreshing appetite to win today.

Later in the first half and an air of physicaility in the play is becoming more apparent.

The capricious chill wind was affecting the standard of play as here a Wood fine approach is thwarted. Both sides experienced this.

Examples of masterful ball control were a plenty today, along with raw grit and determination..by both teams. The spectators loved it!

one of the numerous “duels”.

nearly half time . A line of spectators wneds its way toward the burger bar and the adjacent Lemonade Room

Second half , a few words, then a yellow card. Then back to the game.

a good number of Walsall Wood’s youngsters applaud and cheered their home side.

later in the second half and some lee elegant play by the visitors, came to the fore

later in the second half and the visitors score the equalising goal.

Then, on the seventy third minute of the match and amazing, emotional moment that will never be forgotten at Walsall Wood as every spectator, home and visitor, stood and applauded and applauded till their hands were raw…for Ron Tranter….as the onfield play mellowed briefly into a truly fitting, moving and sporting memorial.

Later in the second half. Both teams pull out all the stops. They want to win, for different reasons.

The minutes fly by. Impatience and determination come to boiling point. Competitive football.

In the final moments of the match the visitors score a goal and their supporters find their feet and voices. This has been a cracker of a match.

Images and captions kindly supplied by David Evans

Walsall Wood FC were at home to Coventry United yesterday afternoon (Saturday, 1st February 2020) for a game dedicated to the memory of club stalwart Ron Tranter whose passing has been deeply felt by all the club faithful.

Much to the chagrin of the faithful, they Woodmen were pipped in the last minutes of the match to a 2-1 defeat.

David Evans was there, and sent the following report:

Walsall Wood 1 v 2 Coventry United
Saturday 1st February 2020

This was to be a very memorable game for everyone. Visiting supporters, in fine form and well-lubricated, arrived in large numbers and were made welcome by the large number of home supporters. A cold, unfriendly biting wind straight from the Welsh mountains had thrust its way far above  bleak  Shropshire to drop  over the stadium and smack corner flags and  spectators’ faces in equal measure.  

The players emerged from the warmth of the changing rooms to the bright sunshine, to assemble, respectfully, for a minute to the memory of Ron Tranter. Not a sound was heard. Silence. Total, respectful silence.

The game got under way and both sides, now composed and ready to give their very best – for different reasons, of course, but it was the home side that broke through the visitors defences first, and within a few moments.

The capricious blustery wind played an important and challenging part throughout today’s encounter. Bright, accurate play characterised the match in the early stages, with hard, meaningful challenges. This was not to be a friendly kick about game. Not today.

A new spring in Walsall Wood’s step brought positive comments by the home supporters and vocal critical comments by the visiting supporters at times, and yet they were fully behind every positive move their team accomplished. The large contingent of home junior team children joined in the choral appreciation, in their young, fearless and direct way.

The first half, and the close nature of the challenges, accurate passing, fine off the ball moves was enjoyed by everyone. The wind had a negative effect on the accuracy of some passes. The frequent  stoppages and the need for a ball boy to leave the stadium to retrieve a ball, some less than elegant moments – perhaps from frustration as the delights of playing football on a heavy, real grass pitch – gave the 45 minutes a chameleon quality. 

Half time brought respite from the wind, beefburgers for the hungry, a glass of home-made lemonade or a horn of Viking Ale for the thirsty, and the traditional cucmber sandwiches and Earl Grey tea for the players in the privacy of their boudoirs.

With the score at one goal to nil in favour of the home side play recommenced, after some moments’ delay. Both sides had employed  a variety of moves and tactics in their first half. Now it was time to ring the changes, perhaps. Unlike the games played on artificial grass, which have their own features, here at Oak Park, a greater  palette of  skills  is required.

Frustration, born of desire or determination changed some of those features. The match officials’ presence  was required more.  But, this was to be a physical, hard game throughout the whole match.

That was until at 73 minutes play, every  single spectator around the pitch and in the stand, burst in to spontaneous applause… A moment I will never forget.

Play continued, although in a muted way, on the pitch. The applause rang out – and for that moment, time stood still in our hearts as every person there stood at attention and clapped til their hands were raw… All for Ron Tranter, a legend here at Walsall Wood Football Club.

Full respect and thanks, too, to all the visiting fans who shared this tribute.

Meanwhile the tempo of the football match had increased,  the temperature had hotted up and spilled over when a home player was shown a red card, leaving the squad depleted for the final part of the game.

Coventry took full advantage and inevitably scored the winning goal in the dying moments of the full measure of extra time allowed by the hard worked referee.

Coventry deserved the win today, but, for me, the day was for Ron.

David Evans

Thanks to David Evans once more for an honest, entertaining match report as ever complete with great photos. It really is an honour to feature them.

Check out Walsall Wood FC’s website here.