With BWFC 1st Team winning its last two games of their Conference South season to finish a creditable 8th and secure its highest ever league position. It was left to ‘Young Wood’ to finish off their season and try and surpass the senior side.

With so many games to cram into a 10 day period and with little help from opposing clubs or certain league officials. They also had to cope with the added problem of losing Sam Doolan on England College duty. So it was never going to be an easy period and it would ultimately stretch our Elite PASE squad to the limit.

However from little acorns, Oak tree’s grow and without quite sweeping the board. The efforts of the BWFC Coaches, Medical team and Elite PASE Squads, should be applauded and celebrated as ultimately success followed success!!

Our 10 days had started poorly, as our Under 19’s eventually failed to retain our National College Cup crown, drawing 0-0 after extra time and finally losing on penalties. It should be remembered though that this group had never lost a game in 90 minutes or extra time, over the two years that BWFC has entered this prestigious National competition.

However, in a tight game played in Wales and against Welsh opposition Swansea. Although we just about held the upper hand. It was no surprise that after 90 minutes and extra time the game remained goalless.

Penalties as we all know are penalties and in the shootout we finally came up short.  As such all our congratulations must go to the new ECFA National Cup winners Swansea, on their hard fought victory and we wish them well…

Less than 48 hours later, after returning from Wales.   A very tired BWFC Under  18’s took to the field to play in the Brian Hitchings Cup final.  Admittedly against a more local team in Waltham Abbey, but without any time for 7 of our National Cup line up to recover  from their penalty defeat ordeal.

In fact Wood’s under 18’s found themselves 1 – 0 down after just 20 minutes and again looking down the barrel of another Cup final defeat. Thankfully, we build them from stronger stuff in Boreham Wood and after Dean Rubenia’s equalizer, there was only ever going to be one winner and as adrenalin took over it was fitting that BWFC’s Clubman of the year and Under 18’s skipper Harvey Scott-Morris, got our winner with just 10 minutes remaining.

Having lifted the Brian Hitchings trophy,  there was no time to celebrate as it was onto the next game and just 48 hours later and with no recovery time, Wood’s were again made to play. This time to contest the ‘Champion of Champions Cup’, against Nemean league Champions Codicote.

In a 3 way round robin tournament, which also included the Delphian league champions Crawley, to find the ‘Champion of Champions’ Cup Winners.

Codicote arrived having already lost their opening round robin game a week earlier against Crawley  2 – 0. But arrived at Meadow Park fresh, knowing they had to win the game to give themselves any chance of winning the overall tournament. So with a tired Wood failing to finish numerous chances, Codicote duly obliged by winning the game 1 – 0.

So ultimately it meant a whole year’s work for our under 18’s, would come down to  the final game of the season. We needed to go to Crawley with one simple scenario – Win away from home by two clear goals on the night, for the right to call ourselves the  ‘Champion of Champions’ and lift the trophy…

Thankfully although missing our leading goal scorer Dean Rubenia through suspension. Wood  finally had a full 6 days to recover from their crazy match schedule, which meant we could train and prepare correctly…

That proved decisive and with the game locked at 1 – 1 and with just 15 minutes to go, the management and players knew we still needed to score twice to become Champion of Champions.

Fortunately that 6 day break, gave Wood the legs to remain strong, remain focused and when Manager Luke Garrard went to a 4-3-3 formation, our extra fitness and fire power showed and in a stunning finish Wood produced  3 goals in the last 15 minutes to win the game 4 – 1 and take the ‘Champion of Champions’ title.  It was in truth a performance full of spirit, team work, belief and character and to a man they fully deserved to finish the season as overall Champions.

BWFC 2011/2012 PASE roll of honour

  • SESSA Cup Winners
  • ECFA League two title winners
  • Conference National Cup Semi-finalists
  • ECFA National Cup finalists
  • 11 PASE players who have played for 1st Team
  • 3 players selected for England Colleges’
  • 1st Round proper of FA Youth Cup
  • Southern Counties Floodlit Youth Corinthian League Champions
  • Brian Hitchings Cup Winners
  • SCFYL ‘Champion of Champions’
  • Pelly Ruddock sold to West Ham United
  • 3 American University scholarships awarded to PASE players

Academy Director Luke Garrard perfectly summed up the season and said “This Club from top to bottom works so hard to achieve excellence.  The success we get year on year, is earnt by sheer hard work, great Attitudes, great Discipline and great Desire.  We are already planning for next season but for now all the Players, Managers, and Coaches deserve to look back on a season of achievement with pride knowing that their endeavors’ have been rewarded.”

WELL DONE BOYS!

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