Posted: 17th ~ April ~ 2009

Frenford Next on the Wood List

Date : April 17th 2009
Fixture : League Game - Home
Result : Harold Wood 3 - 2 Frenford Town

Wood entertained current league leaders Frenford in what was their last game of the season, with third placed Wood 16 points behind but with SEVEN games in hand. A crowd of 100 plus was present in what turned out too be a very entertaining game that ended in near darkness. The game started at a frantic pace with neither side keeping the ball well enough and neither keeper being tested in the wet conditions
The game was literally turned on its head after twenty minutes, a sliding tackle from Church and a Frenford opponent found both on the floor. As Church went too get too his feet another Frenford midfielder came running in with his foot finding the back of Church’s head, it was apparent that it was not accidental and the ref had no option but too send off the offender. Church was eventually escorted from the field covered in blood requiring 7 stitches later that evening.
It didn’t take long for Wood too take advantage of the extra man, a burst from sub Ziepe found him bought down in the box and a penalty awarded. Stalwart Portway stepped up and lashed the ball home too make it one nil! Frenford did have the chance too draw level, an under hit backpass saw keeper Bonner stranded and he bought down Mcardle and was booked in the process. Tommy Prendergast stepped up and then saw Bonner save the kick to keep the score at 1-0.
With ten minutes of the half remaining a sequence of errors by Frenford resulted in Harold Wood taking a 2-0 lead. Keeper Luke Kingston kicked he ball straight at Steve Portway and Cihimbambo and the ball cannoned off one of them and flew into the back of the net. Portway will claim the goal but this is one for the dubious goals panel!!
The second half started in much the same way as the first some big tackles going in and both teams trying too take a grip of the game. Wood’s third goal of the game came after Frenford were caught on the counter attack, a cross from the left found Portway at the far post and he volleyed left footed and squeezed the ball in at the near post.
Too Frenford’s credit they didn’t give up. They were rewarded with a goal when Mcardle slotted home into the bottom corner. Wood could and should or had had more, an Ayres header and Gallen shot were excellently saved by Kingston and Portway crashing a drive against the bar.
Wood’s winning margin was then decreased further Garrett smashing a shot into the top corner from outside of the box. But it was too little too late for Frenford as Wood hung on for three more valuable points.

Team Lineup : Bonner; Fyffe, Wettner, Klien; Todd, Rafis, Ayres, Hughes (Stone), Church (Ziepe); Wilson (Gallen), Portway

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