Posted: 21st ~ March ~ 2009

Frenford Visit the Wood

Date : March 21st 2009
Fixture : League Game - Home
Result : Harold Wood 1 - 3 Frenford

Hammond fresh from the Canaries left Robinson in charge for the home tie with Frenford while he continued his mid season scouting mission in the north of England. In this must win game for Wood, yet again, an unfamiliar side saw 5 personnel changes from last weeks defeat at Rayleigh. Cooke reverted to right back alongside usual suspects Sewell and Gibson and Fletcher back in for the absent Stamp completed the backline. Manzi partnered Wettner up front with debutant Collis and Munday playing in the middle of the park. Mottram playing in a foreign right sided role and Smy out on the left completed the midfield.
Frenford roared out of the traps with Wood looking lost all over the pitch. Clever runs from Frenfords front 3 left big gaps down both flanks and after 15 minutes Frenford opened the scoring. Good work down the left side from the Frenford forward left Cooke all at sea and allowed time to deliver a deep cross to the far post where the unmarked winger headed home from close range. A shell shocked Wood looked to start again but basic errors all over the park continued to gift possession to the visitors as they pushed for more. On 25 a Wood throw in on the half way was dropped into Gibson who dwelled a little as Dwain Chambers closed in and blocked the attempted clearance. The nippy forward took 3 more strides before unleashing a 20 yard screamer past the stranded Wordsell who had no chance. An injured Manzi nursing a temperature and surely feeling the effects of last weeks altitude training in Tenerife was replaced by Woods other new boy Saintey Finally Wood came into the game and actually managed to string more than two passes together with Collis starting to pull the strings in the middle. Wettner came close on two occasions and the Frenford keeper somehow got a touch at the far post to elude Gibson looking to make up for his earlier mistake. Frenford still pushed down the slope and created a couple of half chances before an innocuous cross was spilled at the feet of the grateful Frenford forward to gift number three.
Wood went in 3 down at half time and mild mannered Robinson read the riot act saying his side were second best all over the park, could not even kick the ball and even the Wood spirit seemed to be left in the dressing room.
Woods second half display was a little brighter but they didn't really get behind the visiting defence and with Frenford breaking quickly on the counter, Woods back line did well on a number of occasions when outnumbered with willing runners from Frenfords midfield. Collis continued to work hard and deservedly got Woods consolation on 75 when he found space and bent one beyond the reach of the Frenford keeper from 20 yards. This didn't set up the frantic finish that Wood hoped for and the last 15 minutes were played out with Frenford looking the stronger. “Too many passengers“ was caretaker boss Robinsons only quote and you could argue it may have even been standing room only.

Team Lineup : Wordsell, Cooke, Fletcher, Munday, Gibson, Sewell, Mottram, Collis, Smy (Holliday) Manzi (Saintey) , Wettner (Robinson)

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