As I pondered in my last entry, stranger things have happened than the prospect of Wood (played 2, 0 wins, 2 defeats, goal difference -5) going to league leaders Woking and coming away with a good result, and it turned out I was right, as Wood came back home with a very good point, as well as a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw. Sadly, due to my removal man being delayed I didn't get all my stuff into my new home until 2:30, thus missing the game. This was of course a blessing in disguise as I have not exactly been a good luck charm thus far, and by all accounts Wood gave an excellent account for themselves, creating eleven chances in the game at The Kingfield Stadium, exactly eleven more than I had seen in their first two games of the season (I jest).
As discussed before, with the spine of the team missing against Bromley Wood were easy pickings, but the return of Luke Wilkinson and Super Mario Noto brought a sense of calm to the team, with Wilkinson picking up the Man of The Match award after another accomplished display. I feel a bit of a fraud reporting on a game that I wasn't at, so the report from Wood's official site can be found here. The only other thing to add (according to what I have read of course) to the game was that Wood could have won if Inih Effiong had converted one of his host of chances created on Saturday. Still, a great point in anyone's book, with Wood showing some great unity at the back and flair going forward. Most encouraging.
Monday saw my return to league action, with the visit of Basingstoke to Meadow Park. I got there early so I could FINALLY pick up my season ticket, after seemingly every passport photo machine in London and Borehamwood was knackered. Stepping into one of the portacabins used for the PASE scheme as well as a general office for the physio etc, I stumbled upon Daryl McMahon, Darren Currie and Luke Garrard doing their day jobs (McMahon and Currie waiting for a training session to start, Garrard taking care of PASE matters), with a decent bit of banter flying about, even at the expense of yours truly ('Big Browne to his friends' was one of the comments). Such a dressing room insider, I know.
Whilst waiting for my season ticket to be laminated, I listened to Garrard explain his injury to one of the PASE academy students, and was saddened to hear that it was a partial tear of the achilles (is that my first EXCLUSIVE?), and that he was due to see a specialist this week. After passing on my best wished to the club captain ('Get well soon Luke!') I had time for a quick trip to pick up my post (not a euphamism) and then headed back to Meadow Park for the visit of Basingstoke.
I decided to shake things up a little bit and sit somewhere different for the game (I know, I've always lived on the edge), and it was as if fate had lead me to my seat as before kick off I was asked by the man sitting next to me, 'Has Effiong played league football?' This in itself would have been mildly ludicrous as it was without the fact that the man asking me had an almost gruff European accent. Answering in the negative, I began to chat about Inih and his transfer saga, and amazingly my new found friend did not immediately get up and leave the stadium. It turned out that this man (Peter) had come all the way from Switzerland to have a 3 week British football tour, taking in at least one game every day if possible, and that Meadow Park was the 675th European ground he had visited! Over the 90 minutes we had a fascinating discussion over the grounds he had been to (every ground in the top 7 tiers of English Football, all 4 divisions in Scotland, was just about to complete the top two leagues in Wales, all of the Irish Premier League grounds in both South and North, the list went on and on), best games he had seen (Switzerland 4- Sweden 2 in Hodgson's reign), other friends who did the same (a German lady who had been to FIVE THOUSAND GROUNDS) and favourite grounds in England (sadly he said Anfield with the old kop). I could have sat with this man for a good few days and just chatted football, and I was sad when we had to part ways. Peter, best of luck to you my friend, and I hope you enjoyed Kettering tonight,
The first half was very tight, with both defences performing superbly, especially both pairs of centre backs. Luke Wilkinson again looked outstanding for Wood, and his partnership with Charlie O'Loughlin looks to be the start of something very special for Wood. In midfield, Super Mario was back and looking to pull the strings, with new signing from Luton Stephen O'Leary replacing the injured Daryl McMahon. They were joined by the fantastic Pelly Ruddock, who even at the tender age of 18 looked very much the part down the right hand side, both going forward and in defence, where his last ditch challenged foiled David Pratt (a true Sensible Soccer name) from opening the scoring. His link up play with Osei Sankofa was at times telepathic, and can hopefully be built on as the season progresses. Up front, Effiong looked good in spells and downright lazy in others. His physical strength was such that he was constantly targeted from the Basingstoke defence, who climbed over him at every opportunity, but he was not protected as the evenings game was officiated by Mr Bean. I could rant for 1,000 words as to the amazing incompetency of the match officials but I fear it would be revisiting old ground, so I won't. Still, Christ almighty the officiating was dreadful. The teams went in at half time 0-0, with Effiong's turn and run from the halfway line resulting in a limp finish being the main highlight of the half, outside of the Some Mothers Do 'Ave Em school of refereeing.
Going into the second period, and with my conversation with Peter showing no signs of petering out (that pun is wasted on you guys), the game began to open up as both teams started to look for what would likely be the winner. After a couple of chances for Wood, Basingstoke went ahead with an absolute pig's ear of a goal, coming from Delano Sam-Yorke following a scrambled corner. 'FFS' as the kids say, and I was now facing the real prospect of another game without seeing a goal or evn a draw this season. Thankfully, the evening was about to change in a grand manner.
After 347 minutes of league football, Mario Noto's corner was met with a fine header from David Bryant, the smallest man on the field, to send the home support into rapture. Finally we had seen a goal, and it was well deserved for Wood's endeavour in the second half. Just as Bryant's equaliser hit the back of the net, my phone rang with the second significant question of the evening,
'Hi Richard, are you ready to go on The Non League Show in a couple of minutes?'
Yes my friends, I made an appearance on BBC Radio London's Non League show with Caroline Baker, giving my views of the game, the season so far and a few other bits and bobs. It was an absolute pleasure to be on the show, and whilst I was put on the spot with the opening question, I think I handled myself fairly admirably. You can judge for yourself and listen to the whole show over at:
(I appear at the 59 minute mark - the show also appears on itunes so you can download the podcast and have my dulcet tones on your MP3 Player FOREVER)
The game ended up fizzling out into a 1-1 draw, but still, first home point, first goal and an appearance on BBC Radio London? I'll take that for an evenings work. I wished Peter all the best with his travels before heading home, furiously ringing the people who would care about me being on the radio (my parents and my girlfriend). To round it all off, I met a man at the train station who was over from NORWAY to see English football. My brain almost melted, but I managed to hold a similar conversation as I had with Peter. Ole, hope you enjoyed Hayes and Yeading.
Ian Allinson told the club's website afterwards that it was:
“A pleasing result given the quality of the opposition. We did not give up and had several players lacking match fitness. Stephen O’Leary missed the whole of last Season, Sam Hurrell has been away in America and Mario Noto has just missed three weeks through injury. Our defensive work is good, now we need to work on improving things in front of goal as a priority. I am looking forward to the team firing on all cylinders.”
Can't really add to that much more, Wood are looking good at the back (Puntins was again excellent and hopefully we can keep hold of him until the end of the season) but need some work going forward. Hopefully with a full strength team returning and some work on finishing, Wood can start getting the wheels in motion for a better season after a rocky start.
Man of the Match - a three way tie between Luke Wilkinson, Charlie O'Loughlin and Pelly Rudoock. Wilkinson and O'Loughlin were dominant at the back, and Ruddock was easily Wood's best player going forward, and with a bit more composure could have added a goal and an assist to his performance. Good stuff all round.
Wood lined up as follows:
Putnins, Sankofa, Brathwaite, O’Leary, Wilkinson, O’Loughlin, Ruddock (Sub – Akinola 80 mins.), Bryant, Effiong (Sub – Palmer 78 mins.), Noto, Hurrell (Sub – Hunter 90 mins.).
This Saturday sees Thurrock come to town (presumably to mock The Boulevard), and a full report will be up next week. As always, thanks for reading and feedback is always welcomed. Please continue to share this among your friends/forums/freemason groups - get the word out there! I can be found in the comments page below, or on twitter @wearethewood.
Until next time.....
WE ARE THE WOOD!
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