Posted: 28th ~ March ~ 2009

Wood Man up at Manford

Date : March 28th 2009
Fixture : League Game - Away
Result : Harold Wood 1 - 0 Manford Way

Wood travelled to the old enemy Manford Way on Saturday looking to get back to winning ways after their recent slump. Again Wood were forced to make changes to the squad for the fifteenth time this season.
After a delayed kick off after a down pour of hail stones Wood started the better and dominated the opening spell with some tough tackling and good possession in the windy conditions. Debutant Wilson was having a tough battle with Manfords centre half and were both exchanging some hard tackles.
In the 35th minute Wood found themselves on the edge of Manfords box after another clumsy tackle on Wilson. Cooke drilled a low shot which the keeper parried but then made a great save from the follow up shot, only for the ball to drop to another Wood player Jordon, to finally turn it in. However for some reason the referee ruled three Wood players offside. The score remained 0-0 until the end of the half after both teams really failed to test either keeper.
At the start of second half Wood were forced to make a change as Wilson pulled up with a hamstring strain. This prompted Hammond to bring Ryan on at left midfield and push the impressive Cooke up front. Wood struggled to play anywhere near the level they started the first half and another down pour of hail stones suspended play which gave Wood time to recompose and start again.
With the big wide pitch the game started to open up which the home side found more effective with their wide men. Manford having the better possession eventually found a break through only for the Referee to disallow the goal after their striker handled before unleashing his shot into the bottom corner.
With their tails up Manford persisted with putting the pressure on Wood and come close again when a deep cross from the right was bravely intercepted by Wordsell getting the faintest of touches before the striker who looked certain to score with his head.
Hammond made another substitution after 70 minutes bringing off the blown out Huckstepp who was still recovering from his late night Friday to be replaced by Rolls. 10 minutes after coming on Rolls and Mottrom linked up well down the right enticing the big centre half to come charging out, only to clatter the ball off Rolls knee into the path of Cooke who took the ball on a further 10 yards and fired the ball in off the upright leaving the home keeper no chance 1-0 Wood!
With the home side being 1-0 down they began to surge forward looking for the breakthrough but with some good defensive play starting from the midfield and the back four standing strong Manford struggled to find a way through. The home side now more concerned in finding the equaliser found themselves short at the back when a quick break from Wood found Mottrom all alone up front with only the keeper to beat smashed his shot into the side netting.
Wood managed to stay composed and see out an impressive away win that keeps us still in the title race although a lot of luck is needed.

Team Lineup : Wordsell, Scott, Gibson, Stamp, Fletcher (capt), Jordon, Duckworth, Huckstepp (Rolls 70), Cooke, Mottrom (Robinson 87), Wilson (Ryan 45)

Managers Notes: MOM - Carey Duckworth 'A much needed morale boosting win - against the odds as on paper Wood fielded a vastly under strength side to that in their previous 3 games (all losses). The side reverted back to basics with a good defensive display in difficult playing conditions & showed great battling qualities throughout. Great finish by Cookie for the winner. The win will cause 'selection' problems when all the players not fit / available on Saturday are available for selection' The Manager's normal after match meal of bottle of red wine & 'cosmos' special tasted great on sat night.

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