SWTFC Weekly Roundup: Bouncebackability, a Sam Deering masterclass and looking ahead to next weekend

Despite Woodford putting an athletics track in our way, we could clearly see the four goals we scored past them on Friday night

 

Nothing says being a supporter of a football club more than losing 5-0 at home one week, against a side lower down in the league table, and then winning 4-1 at the home of a league title challenger the following week.

Last week’s result against Buckhurst Hill was the worst I’ve seen us play in years (I wasn’t there for the Great Wakering game earlier this year), but the difference between that defeat and Friday night’s game against Woodford was night and day.

We came into this match quietly confident that we could get a positive result and bounce back after such a disappointing previous display, but never in our wildest dreams did we think that we could hit four away at Woodford, historically a very tricky place to go to, and inflict their heaviest home defeat in over two years.

The return of Jordy Gent and Sal Nassor to the starting XI was a welcome boost, two players who had been important in our now-defunct two-month unbeaten run, and they came in for captain Tom Skelton (injured, hopefully back in a week or two) and Ryan Auger (unavailable).

There were one or two doubts as to whether the game would go ahead, given the freezing conditions on Friday throughout the day, and the slight amount of frost on the Ashtons surface when we arrived, but the referee was happy for it to go ahead. Great for football, not good for my feet, which are still thawing out as I type this on Saturday evening.

The game started, as did the inevitable chants from the home fans, and immediately we began to frustrate Woodford, limiting them to few chances, which they are not used to especially at home. We’ve been good at limiting teams that we have maybe expected to lose to – the 2-1 victory away to SOUL Tower Hamlets being a prime example – and this was no different despite the hosts having more of the play. No real shots were had, and a penalty appeal from former Blood Olly Sotoyinbo was waved away. Couldn’t see who had committed the foul given as I had, once again, forgotten my binoculars for Woodford away.

Just before the half hour mark, a poor clearance from the Woods’ keeper was picked up on halfway by Sal. He drove through the heart of the defence before playing a perfect through ball for Sam Deering, who poked the ball past the keeper to give us a massive lead. Against the run of play maybe, but being clinical was the aim of the game, and it helped us out later as well. It was a goal which gained the approval of Skelts, the injured captain sounding his appreciation as he stood next to me with a beer (one of four that night, which turned out to be one for each goal…)

Woodford had a few shots after the goal in an attempt to respond immediately. First George Coton made a good save to deny Malakai Toussaint’s header, before our number 1 reacted well to save a deflected shot from outside the box.

And the hosts got their reward just before the break, when Pedro Carvalho picked the ball up outside the box, turned and fired a peach of a strike into the corner.

A sucker punch for Walden conceding just before the break. We had to not let it affect us, which was easier said than done, but we did it in style.

Firstly, captain for the night Fahad Nazor won the ball back in midfield before Sammy played a through ball looking for Kaleel Green. It seemed to be an easy take for the goalkeeper, but he managed to drop the ball into Kaleel’s path, who was able to easily finish into an empty net. He had had a quiet game up until that point, but it only takes a second to score a goal and he notched his 16^th of the season.

Our three-man defence, consisting of Toby Salmon, Henry Mabassa and Jack Clark, would have come into this game believing that they would have their work cut out, but you would never have known it given the assured displays from all three of them contributing to the win – it takes something special to keep out the likes of Sotoyinbo, currently the ESL’s top scorer, but the three of them were magnificent.

And Henry got his reward just after the hour mark. Sammy continued his brilliant performance with a wonderful free kick delivery which Woodford just could not deal with, H poked out a foot to divert the ball into the corner to give us a two-goal advantage. His first for the club since arriving in the summer, and what a time to get it. What an addition to the team he has been.

Four minutes later, the win was wrapped up. Patient build-up down the right hand side ended with Toheeb Elegushi putting in a teasing low cross, which was diverted into the back of the net by Sammy for 4-1, and in the blink of an eye, we were in dreamland. Two goals and two assists for Sam (if you’re counting the one where the keeper spilt it to Kaleel), he was substituted for Fin Barden minutes later to a rapturous reception from the travelling faithful – a performance that will live long in my memory from a real class act.

Woodford, who so rarely lose at home, were stunned, and tried in vain to get back into the game, but we managed the game well to see it out and the night belonged to us.

It was good also to see our one-time captain Eman Okunja, who came on as a sub for the visitors and came over to say hello to the travelling contingent. A real character and good of him to come over, even after a heavy home defeat.

What a turnaround from Saturday – if we can play like that on a more consistent basis like we know we can, it will stand us in good stead for an important few weeks coming up.

We welcome bottom side Frenford on Tuesday night before hosting White Ensign on Saturday (slightly earlier kick off time of 2pm), two potential banana skins but with the home crowd behind us, anything is possible.

As always, Up the Bloods.