Superb Wood though in Vase

In a game packed with rich entertainment Wood thoroughly deserved this FA Vase win over Wessex League outfit Cove. It was all the more remarkable given how many players were missing! Manager Mat Blythe rolled back the years and played the full 90 and scored a cracking goal. Wood also gave debuts to keeper Alex Freeman and Ben Tunnicliff – who has transferred over from Cheltenham Saracens. Wood also introduced two of the young guns from the Reserves, Leonardo Russo and Billy Montague. Wood also welcomed back Jacob Nowell from injury.
In the next round, on the 25th, Wood travel to Cribbs who currently sit top of the Hellenic Premier League.

As I said this game was packed with entertainment and was played in an excellent spirit with Cove contributing fully. Credit must also go to referee Haydn Lavender who judged when to let the game flow and when to take action perfectly.

Cove had the first chance but Cousins blazed over from a good position and both sides pushed the ball about well. Wood’s opener came after 14 minutes. Beadle and Bowles combined well before Bowles’ pin point cross was headed home by Luke Soule at the far post. Beadle shot high over the bar and Bowles cross was just too high for Soule as Wood dominated. Bouzerai had a shot deflected for a corner for the visitors but generally the home defence and keeper Freeman looked comfortable. As Wood pressed forward Soule had a shot deflected wide and Marks went on a mesmerising run before crossing low inches in front of the lunging Soule. Wood scored their second on the cusp of half time – and what a goal it was. A cross was cleared but only to Mat Blythe 25 yards out who smacked his volley past the despairing dive of Atkinson in the Cove goal. Blythe was instantly engulfed by his team mates who recognised the importance of the goal.

Any fears Wood may have had about a Cove resurgence were soon put to rest after just two minutes of the restart when Beadle saw keeper Atkinson out of position and fired past him from 30 yards. Still Wood pressed. Blythe fizzed an effort just wide of the post, Marks forced Atkinson into a good save and Soule went close after good work from Phin.

After 78 minutes Denyer fired home at the far post off the underside of the bar and just two minutes later Woods fired through a ruck of players into the corner to make the score 3-2 and set nerves a jangling. Anything other than a Wood win would have been an injustice and after 85 minutes Soule settled the affair. Russo put him in and Soule held off a defender, rounded Atkinson and fired home and put Wood through.

When the final whistle went both sides left the field to warm applause from the appreciating supporters.

Alex Freeman. Ben Tunnicliff (Billy Montague67), Barrett, Tryner, Nowell (Leonardo Russo 67), Mat Blythe, Marks, Beadle, Soule, Bowles, Chalmers