Posted: 9th ~ May ~ 2009

Wood Wither Shell's Title Dreams

Date : May 9th 2009
Fixture : League Game - Away
Result : Harold Wood 2 - 1 Shell Club

In Woods biggest game of the season at table topping Shell nothing short of 3 points for the visitors would do.
All round sportsman Gibson understandably elected to hit leather with willow being 4th vice captain of Harold Woods 9th cricket team in their all important pre season friendly so Stamp partnered Sewell and ironman Todd came in at right back. Fletcher unlike his mucker Gibson showed real 2's commitment, leaving his kids at Centre Parks and driving through the night to put on his personal number 3 jersey. Rafis came in for Tungate, away with a Spanish soccer school, and last weeks personnel of Zoom, Duckworth and Miller made up the midfield. Frenford goal heroes Wettner and Huckstepp started up top with Manzi, Holliday and Cooke on the bench.
Wood started very well, biting in the tackle and moving the ball quickly looking to feed Miller and Zoom at every opportunity. Both fired in a number of telling crosses and Wettner came close twice. Playmaker Rafis, looking very bright, started pulling the strings and some nice link up play saw him roll in both Wettner and Huckstepp who both failed to capitalise. On 35 another cross field arrow from Rafis released Zoom who's deep cross was met by the stooping Todd netting from close range. Wild celebrations from the full back could have been costly as from the kick off Todds opposite ran at the puffing utility player leaving him for dead before cutting inside and setting a Shell midfielder who forced a good save from Wordsell. Wood continued to press with Duckworth dominating the midfield battle allowing Rafis the space to orchestrate. Shell rarely threatened but after the Ref said play on to a ball the linesman flagged out of play Shell switched the ball to the opposite flank. A coming together of the Shell centre forward and Sewell saw the Shell centre forward fling himself to the floor like a scene from Platoon. As the way overhit cross fell harmlessly to Wordsell the Referee inexplicably pointed to the spot sparking fury from Wood and laughter from Shell. On the stroke of half time the penalty was converted making it all square at the break.
After the turn around Shell started brightly and for 10 minutes caused the visitors problems but the Wood wall stood firm and a couple of long range efforts never troubled Wordsell. Wood found there way again and at least 3 one on ones were blazed wide or comfortably saved by the Shell goalkeeper. With 15 to go Wood pushed further and a neat slide rule from Rafis unlocked the Shell defence once again. Huckstepp looked to have missed the chance but as the keeper advanced a composed lob found the bottom corner. 2-1 Wood. Hammond changed the front men of Wettner and Huckstepp for Holliday and Manzi to keep Wood on the attack. Shell tried to launch a final assault for the last 10 minutes and Miller was replaced by Cooke but the defence stood firm and Wood took another crucial 3 points down the 127 completing the double over Shell this term.
Superb all round performance against a team who looked untouchable a month ago. Two to go with current form side White Ensign visiting the recreation ground on Tuesday night which should prove to be another tough test for Hammond and his men.

Team Lineup : Wordsell, Todd, Fletcher, Duckworth, Stamp, Sewell, Miller (Cooke), Rafis, Wettner (Holliday), Huckstepp (Manzi)

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