In a mid-season prestigious friendly ‘Wood’s’ Under 16’s put on a magnificent display to beat Championship and Category A Academy outfit Reading 4-2.
The Royals dominated the early proceedings, having a lot of possession; marshaling the ball elegantly across the back line and midfield but with no real threat on the ‘Wood’ goal.
‘Wood’ continued to stay disciplined, keeping great shape and pressing when possible. ‘Wood’s’ patience was rewarded midway through the 1st half from a well work corner routine; Lyes Titouah’s corner found Alex Morgan on the edge of the 18 yard box, who’s shot ricocheted off a number of bodies in the box and fell fortunately for Malachy McGovern who smashed the ball into the back of the net from close range to give ‘Wood’ the lead.
‘Wood’ continued on the front foot and 2 quick fire goals before half time gave ‘Wood’ a deserved lead to take into the interval. A glancing header from Alex Morgan and a superb solo effort from Benjy Aghadiuno with the goals. Half time 3-0.
Reading came out with a real intensity after the break. And with about 20 minutes to go Reading pulled a goal back from a spectacular 30 yard driven shot that found the top left hand corner of the goal leaving goalkeeper Tarell Annakie helpless.
Only minutes later, Reading continued their fight back pulling back another goal with a soft goal from outside the box, 3-2. The comeback was on!
However as Reading continued to push forward relentlessly, ‘Wood’ were a constant threat on the counterattack. Following a break and clearance from Reading’s Central Defender, some quick thinking from full back Sam Walsh, who took a quick throw in, put Ejike Akubude through on goal. Ejike cooly fired the ball into the top corner of the net to give the ‘Wood’ youngsters a 4-2 lead.
Boreham Wood Under 16 Manager, Cameron Mawer, said “Wow, did we really just beat Reading’s Under 16’s? The boys were magnificent from minute 1 to minute 80. We trained earlier in the week to go over our game plan for today and really emphasised the importance of discipline when out of possession playing against a side who would dominate possession for large periods of the game.”
“Our front man, wide players and runners from midfield gave us a great threat going forward when we landed on the ball. The back four and midfield gave us a foundation to build attacks with superb shape and discipline when out of possession.”
Mawer concluded “I now challenge every single one of our players not to rest on their laurels and use this performance as a springboard to win as many trophies as possible this season. We are now in the final of the County Cup, Semi-Final of the EJA Cup and sit 2nd in the League with a game in hand to go top, so we are in a great position to kick on.”
