Superb spirit sees Wood win

This was a superbly spirited performance from a Wood side that found themselves under the cosh for long periods of the second half. The game was played in an end to end gale and Wood’s game management was excellent. It was a feisty affair, especially in the second half with cautions for both sides and one player was fortunate not to see red for an off the ball elbow on Wood captain Joe Tryner that saw both players cautioned for the resultant kerfuffle! The whole Wood side deserve plaudits for their performance and it was impossible to separate Lee Bowles and Fin Byrnes for star player.

Right from the start Wood showed tremendous energy and they refused to let Pegasus settle and in the 9th minute Soule had a shot blocked. Unfortunately the Wood man felt his hamstring pull and Lennon Lewis replaced him. After 17 minutes the excellent Fin Byrnes put Nathan Payne in and visiting keeper Jason Davies hauled him down as he tried to round him. Davies guessed correctly to save Lewis’ penalty but Lewis followed his kick in to score from the rebound. Davies then raced from his goal to deny Wilton while at the other end Wildig missed a free header. With 33 minutes gone Wood went 2-0 up. Nathan Payne picked up a pass from Gibbs and let fly from 25 yards into the top corner. A fine goal. In the dying moments of the first half Saul Thomas was sin binned for dissent.

The wind grew stronger in the second half and Wood found themselves pushed further back and the game became scrappy and littered with free kicks. With half an hour to go a low ball across goal found Matt Reeve who fired a low shot passed Sims into the corner and reduce the arrears. Wood utilised their subs to good effect and although Pegasus pressed Wood restricted their chances and generally looked comfortable to record an excellent win.

Sims, Harper – Emerson, Barrett, Tryner, Nowell, Byrnes, Payne, Gibbs (Porter 66), Soule (Lewis 10), Bowles, Wilton (Brent 86)