Depleted Wood go Down

Wood’s plight through injury and enforced unavailability goes on. Wood had so many players missing on Tuesday it would almost be possible to pick a side from them. Having said that Wood were more than a match for Stratford in the first half. Both sides created chances and both sides could have been in front by the break. Stratford started the quicker and Tellyn lifted the ball over the bar from close range and Jake Parsisson saved well with his feet. As Wood started to come into the game more Stratford keeper did well to catch a fine cross from Bailey Evanson with Holmes closing in and after a good interchange between Holmes and Byrne, Byrne shot too close to keeper Beresford. Wood played some excellent football and Barrett headed a cross from Harper – Emerson just over the bar and Lewis had a shot turned round the post. At the other end Tayler fired over and Poulson chipped narrowly wide with Parsisson off his line. Just before the break Lewis had another effort well saved and Poulson had an effort cleared off the line by Underwood.

It only took Wood 2 minutes off the second half to take the lead. Harper – Emerson made a fine run down the right and his low cross was swept home by Lewis. Lewis then had a shot blocked before Stratford broke away to level with a low shot from Thomas. Barely a minute later Daccus hooked a shot past Parsisson and despite Wood clearing the ball the assistant flagged to say the ball had crossed the line. Just after the hour another fast break from Stratford settled the game as Thomas ran through to shoot home.
Lewis fired inches wide after a great through ball from Underwood and Wood had appeals for a penalty waved away when Barrett appeared to be tripped as he ran into the area. Wood were on top in the closing stages wit Lewis hitting a free kick wide and having another shot blocked but the last word went to Stratford as Parsisson saved with his feet to deny Paulson.

Parsisson, Harper – Emerson, Barrett, Byrnes, Tunnicliff (Ollie Harris 72), Peyton, Lewis, Underwood, Holmes, Gibbs, Evanson