WOODFORD TOWN COME BACK TO PICK UP THE THREE POINTS

PRIOR TO KICK OFF EVERYONE PRESENT FELL SILENT TO PAY RESPECTS TO WALTHAM FOREST CHAIRMAN TURGUT ESENDAGLI WHO SADLY PASSED AWAY DURING THE WEEK. 

Woodford Town welcomed Basildon United to Goffs Lane yesterday for an Essex Senior League game. Under new manager Marc Harrison the visitors have made a great start to their 2017/18 campaign winning eight, drawing one and losing only one of their ten league games played prior to kick off. The only defeat came at home to Enfield 1893 FC on Saturday 16th September who picked up a 1-2 victory at The Stuart Bingham Stadium. They had also not conceded a goal in their previous five games prior to kick off. 

BIRTHDAY BOY NICK WILSON PLAYED IN GOAL FOR WOODFORD TOWN

"Woodford Town (2017) FC" to give them their full title are managed by Dee Safer who is assisted by former Clapton assistant manager Neil Day had lost 1-5 at home to Waltham Forest in their previous game which was in the Errington Challenge Cup. 

BASILDON UNITED BROUGHT A GOOD NUMBER OF FANS WITH THEM WHICH WAS GREAT TO SEE

This was a really entertianing game with five goals scored (I nearly missed Basildon's first goal as my camera was having trouble focusing). Woodford's Dion Lewis-Kirwan scored the first goal which was a brilliant finish from outside of the box equalled by the acrobatic celebration. Basildon equalised via Marcus Bowers after a mix up between Woodford keeper Nick Wilson (playing on his 35th birthday) and his defenders allowed Bowers to tap home. Wilson made a number of good saves during the game so it was a good birthday for him. 

I was really impressed with Woodford's left-back Ola Ogunwamide whose pacey forward runs caused Basildon problems throughout the game. He is player with real potential and I think will play at a higher level sooner rather than later. 

Both sides had chances to score before Ashley Blackburn scored from close range after Wilson had parried a shot into his path to make it 1-2. 

Full credit to Woodford who scored almost immediately after through Ogunwamide who dribbled the ball past a number of players on the edge of the box and smashed the ball home to the delight of his team-mates and supporters present.

With the game drifting towards ending all square Jack Grosvenor found himself unmarked and in acres of space at the back post which allowed him to head home from a corner to take home a very welcome three points for the home side. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS


Basildon United host Barkingside in a league game on Tuesday evening before welcoming SSMFL Premier Division side Biggleswade FC in the FA Vase next weekend. Woodford have a tough looking trip to table topper's Takeley on Tuesday evening in a league fixture before hosting Clapton in the London Senior Cup on Tuesday 24th October. Takeley won 5-4 at home to Enfield 1893 FC yesterday - it had been 3-3 on 80 minutes.