AFC ROVERS 0 AFC WOODLANDS 5
Last Saturday the Woodlands travelled to Preston, Near Hull to face AFC Rovers in a potential banana skin tie. Rovers who play there football on a 4g pitch have proved tough opponents in past encounters. However the Goole side who were 12 league undefeated going into this game didn’t want to make it 13 unlucky for some. Playing some of the best football on show so far this season they put in a performance worthy of champions to totally out ply AFC Rovers from start to finish. The pitch which was more or less three quarters artificial and quarter real grass. The pitch one of the best ever played on resembled a bowling green if not better. There were no signs of the usual divots, mole hills and pot holes. Woodlands graced the pitch playing the beautiful game how it should be played. The Midfield for the Woodlands were immense throughout. Constable, Gibbon, Woodall and Heywood were all a joy to watch as every pass was inch perfect. Gill and Stephenson up front were a constant menace throughout. It was Stephenson who got the goals flowing in the 15 minute when a pin point pass from Constable saw Stephenson turn his marker in a Johan Cruyff like fashion to hammer home past the oncoming keeper. Further chances flowed in the first half but it wasn’t till a minute before the break that Woodlands increased there lead. Stephenson yet again the architect causing the problems up front was brought down in the area for a penalty. Up stepped the reliable Constable to hammer home from the spot to double the lead and send Woodlands in at the break well in control. The second half team talk saw manager Munday tell his players go for the jugular and kill the game off from the start of the second half. The players responded to there managers war cry and set about Rovers like a bees around honey. A flowing move started from the back saw Heywood skip by 2 players and cross for Constable to flick on, the ball landed at the feet of Gill who cut inside from the right and curled his shot into the top left hand corner of the net giving the keeper no chance. Coasting at 3-0 the Woodlands centre half pairing of Davidson and Kinghorn found room at the back to go for a little roam about up front every now and then looking to get in on the action. Ramskill for the Woodlands playing in an unfamiliar positron at right back for the first time ever played there like it was his usual position stopping everything that Rovers threw at him and attacking when ever he got the chance, which was every time he got the ball at his feet. Harrison the other full back was content on just letting his defenders sneak off now and then as he kept guard on front of Stannard in goal. Every corner and free kick for the Woodlands saw Davidson and Kinghorn venturing forward and it was from a Woodall corner that Kinghorn met the ball at the far post, brought it down on his chest and smashed the ball home on the volley for a superb finish yet again leaving the keeper grasping at thin air. Then a bizarre but nervous moment in the match as Ramskill who earlier had a clash of heads with a Rovers player caught the ball just as he was about to header it as the Rovers striker bared down on him. Ramskill then going to the floor saying he could not see clearly. All were concerned as he was taken from the pitch with concussion. Newton came on in his place. Huntington and Chafer were also introduced for Stephenson and Gill who both had excellent games. The final say went to Davidson who not to be outdone by his centre half partner Kinghorn who had scored previous made it number 5 with a header from yet another Woodall corner to round off a great team performance for the Woodlands. Ellwood Electricals Man of the Match went to Nick Heywood for his shear wing wizardry down the left hand side throughout the game. The win keeps the Woodlands 4 points clear of second placed Little Weighton who the Woodlands face away this Saturday in a title cruncher.
