BENFLEET 0-1 WOODFORD MATCH REPORT

Resolute Woodford hold firm to win at Benfleet

Benfleet 0 - 1 Woodford Town | at Woodside | Sat 27th July 2024 | Att: 200

The first game of the new campaign saw a welcome visit to the upgraded Woodside Park for Benfleet’s first game in the Essex Senior since their elevation from Step 6. Their opposition were highly-rated Woodford Town who are thought to be in the play-off race again come April 2025 – a reflection of the fine work manager Shane Baptiste has done during his tenure to date. Lee Scott’s side have retained the core of talent that pushed their way so well to the title last term, though this is a level up in standard and Woodford would provide a early test. Understandably, there was a cagey start to this match, with the hosts having a good share of the ball in the early stages, while Woodford could not breach the home backline when they had possession, and they were content to be patient at times in order to make the ‘Fleet keep on running. On twelve minutes, a decent strike by midfielder Taylor Lawrence was denied by a retreating defender for Woodford.

As we rolled on to the latter stages of the half, on the half hour midfielder Sam Owusu make a good turn on the edge of the penalty area before getting his strike away but it dribbled wide of the left-side post. The home side were getting forward well, but chances were at a fair premium, save for two efforts by forward Billy Shulver which couldn’t get past visiting custodian Manny Agboola. Woodford had a good end to the half in terms of chances, with winger Sonny Shilling’s effort being blocked well before Owusu sent in an acrobatic effort wide following up. Full-back Enock Soganile sent in a good cross which found Shilling who fired off-target from a decent position. The match got harder for Shane Baptiste’s side right on half-time as skipper James Jewers was dismissed by referee Lee Jarvis for a tough challenge.

After the resumption, this writer wondered how the numerical change would impact the Woods, although we had the answer fairly soon after. Before the hour though, Benfleet sensed they needed to test Agboola more, and the fleet-footed forward Rhys Fatt curled a fine strike narrowly wide of the right-sided post. Woodford responded to this and kept pushing to good effect down the flanks and led by the enterprising running of David Gokou, they created some good crosses as kept the pressure on Lee Scott’s team, who were backed handsomely here with 200 spectators in attendance.

Just when you felt that this may have been a prime example of both teams not taking their chances, Woodford did get the telling goal with thirteen minutes remaining. Woodford had a nervy last few minutes as a fine ball in from the left flank by substitute Frankie Stone found fellow replacement Mason Shave but he couldn’t defeat goalkeeper Agboola with his tame strike.

FT: Benfleet 0 - 1 Woodford Town

In summary, Woodford dealt with their numerical disadvantage well in the second half after a sprightly end to the first half. As the match went into the latter stages, they kept pressing a tiring home side and although the goal was a sucker punch for ‘Fleet to concede, they could not take the several chances (mostly from range) that they had created earlier in the piece, much to the home contingent’s frustration. These two teams renew acquaintances at the weekend at the same venue in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round.

For victors Woodford, we start the stand-out mentions with a fine performance from forward Micah Jackson who always wanted the ball, set up a number of good passes forward and assisted his team in retaining possession well at times. Left winger David Gokou also put in a tireless display, making a number of excellent darting runs down the flank and sent in some good crosses too which the home backline did well to clear. Recent recruit & right-back Dion Johnston also had a good game too, showing good energy levels and defended well too. Lastly, centre-back Michael Agboola put in a very good defensive showing on his competitive debut for the club, making good tackles and also a force aerially also.

For Benfleet, their mentions start with a good performance from stalwart Taylor Lawrence who was a threat with his strikes from outside the 18 yard area and made good, incisive passes as well. Centre forward Max Jobson was also up for the battle as he jostled well with the visiting defence despite being a little isolated at times. Forward Billy Shulver also put in a good shift for his team and his movement and energy levels got him in good positions and on another day he would have got a goal. Finally, a word for centre-back Cameron Harris who put in a commendable display at centre-back as he made a number of good interceptions to stifle the visitors, particularly in the first half.

Benfleet Starting XI (Subs): 1 Arshak Sargsyan (GK), 2 Cory Rider, 5 Cameron Harris, 6 Sonny Hartman, 3 Matthew Stevens-Brown, 7 Billy Carter, 4 Taylor Lawrence, 8 Aaron Russell (Capt) (12 Mason Shave 76’), 9 Max Jobson, 10 Rhys Fatt (15 Albert Keith 83’), 11 Billy Shulver (16 Frankie Stone 76’)

Woodford Starting XI (Subs): 1 Manny Agboola (GK), 2 Dion Johnston, 3 Enock Soganile (12 Eli Benoit 86’), 4 Michael Agboola, 5 Khalil Kirwan-Meade, 6 James Jewers (Capt), 7 Sonny Shilling (15 Billy Karby 46’), 8 Sam Owusu, 9 Marko Protic (14 Stefan Balev 59’), 10 Micah Jackson (16 Trevor Harding 62’), 11 David Gokou

Goal-scorer: Khalil Kirwan-Meade [77']

Referee: Lee Jarvis

Follow league reporter Scott Waple on X - @ScottMHC14.
You can also find his reports on https://survivor16b.wordpress.com/