So my first look at pre season saw me over at Wadham Lodge 3G for the fixture between Woodford Town 2017 and May & Bakers.
Woodford Town 2017 were Haringey & Waltham last season and struggled somewhat in the Essex Senior League but with ex Wadham boss Tony Ievoli now in charge it should be a much better season indeed.
May & Bakers are a very decent Essex Olympian Premier Division outfit and scored a top four finish last season and with their now groundshare at Barking Rugby Club confirmed their dream of senior football one day gets ever closer.
Woodford demolished Senior One side Snaresbrook on Saturday whilst Bakers held Basildon United from the ESL so this was likely to be a competitive friendly.
We didn’t have to wait long for the opening goal either as the ESL side got their noses in front after two minutes when the hosts got in behind to bury an effort beyond the keeper for a cracking start for Woodford.
However after a slow start May & Bakers gradually found their feet and levelled in the 14th minute when a terrible mix up at the back saw the visitors slot into an empty net and the game was level once again.
A few minutes later a rather unsavoury incident saw one of the Woodford players react to being kicked more than once over a couple of minutes play by headbutting his opponent. The referee took the decision to ask the player to be permanently subbed so the hosts kept eleven men but it certainly showed the competitive nature of the contest.
At this point the visitors were probably the better side but they fell behind midway through the half as great skill down the right wing saw the hosts in on goal and the player in question slotted under the keeper to restore the hosts lead.
May & Bakers continued to do a lot of the attacking but just couldn’t find that leveller.
Their was no doubt the ESL side were dangerous going forward but had the Eofl side had their shooting boots on they could of easily been ahead, as it was the hosts held a slender lead at the break.
Their was no doubt the ESL side were dangerous going forward but had the Eofl side had their shooting boots on they could of easily been ahead, as it was the hosts held a slender lead at the break.
The early exchanges of the second half saw both teams miss close range headers but then just before the hour mark Woodford scored an absolute screamer and gave themselves a two goal cushion.
Both sides continued to create chances however a combination of poor finishing / good keeping meant it remained 3-1 to the home side.
However as the game entered it’s final quarter the ESL side began to gain more control as they looked the fitter of the two sides as May & Bakers began to look tired and with just over ten minutes remaining scored a wonderful fourth when a lovely passing move ended with the ball slotted home for a lovely team goal.
The visitors could of grabbed a late second but again fail to hit the target. The final scoreline was harsh on the Eofl side although Woodford were fairly decent going forward and will cause anyone difficulties at this level.
So a final verdict, Woodford have plenty to work with and Tony looks to have assembled a decent squad for the coming season. For May & Bakers this was also an encouraging display despite the scoreline and they should challenge in the upper echelons of the Olympian Premier with this squad.
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