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Nine league games, nine victories and 60 goals scored. Woodhill AFC’s Division Four record is impressive, but manager Jed Connell knows there’s more to his team’s progress than the numbers.
When Footy Focus last spoke with Connell, he had just been named GDSFC September Manager of the Month.
Woodhill were enjoying an outstanding start to the season, having won their opening seven league matches.
Two more league victories have followed, maintaining their perfect record.
But according to Connell, recent weeks haven’t been without their challenges.
A squad stepping up
“Very pleased we’ve managed to keep the winning run going with some difficult games in recent weeks,” Connell told Footy Focus.
Woodhill have been without several important players, testing the depth of a squad still in its early stages as a club.
For Connell, the response from those called upon has been particularly encouraging.
Players have stepped forward, helping Woodhill maintain their momentum.
And while their attacking statistics attract attention, last Sunday’s cup encounter demonstrated that Woodhill can win in a very different fashion.
A surprise waiting at Motherwell
Woodhill travelled to face Motherwell Villa in the West District Cup, expecting another difficult fixture.
What they hadn’t expected was the playing surface.
According to Connell, club chairman and goalkeeper Jamie, who handles the team’s logistics, had forgotten to mention one important detail.
The match was being played on grass.
For a squad accustomed to playing on artificial surfaces, that came as something of a surprise.
Several players had arrived without the appropriate footwear.
It was hardly the ideal preparation for a cup tie.
But amateur football has a habit of producing these moments, and Woodhill had to adapt quickly.
Sleeves rolled up
Connell explained that the conditions forced Woodhill to move away from their preferred style of football.
Instead, they had to approach the game differently against an experienced and physical Motherwell Villa side.
The players responded.
A header from Millsy secured a 1–0 victory, with the team working hard throughout the match to progress to the next round.
“It was far from the prettiest of games but was a different feeling for the boys after the game,” Connell explained.
For a side accustomed to scoring freely, there was satisfaction in proving they could find another way to win.
Woodhill’s 60 league goals have demonstrated their attacking capabilities.
Their afternoon at Motherwell offered evidence of resilience and adaptability.
A new challenge in the Champions Cup
Sunday brings another opportunity for Connell’s players to test themselves.
Woodhill face Lomond Thistle Colts, the Division Three leaders, in the Champions Cup preliminary round.
Connell admits he doesn’t know a great deal about Sunday’s opponents, but their league position tells him enough to expect a difficult fixture.
He wants Woodhill to compete well in the cup competitions and welcomes the chance to face strong opposition.
“We’re hoping to have a good crack at all the cups and test ourselves against good sides like Lomond Thistle and hopefully show our ability,” he said.
For a club that began with a group of friends discussing the possibility of forming a team, Woodhill’s progress has already provided plenty of reasons for encouragement.
Nine consecutive league victories, a September managerial award and another cup challenge on the horizon.
And perhaps one useful lesson from last Sunday.
It’s always worth checking what kind of pitch you’re playing on.
Inside Verdict | Footy Focus
Woodhill AFC face Lomond Thistle Colts in the Champions Cup preliminary round at Scotstoun on Sunday 25 October, kick-off 1pm.
Read our earlier Footy Focus feature: Jed Connell — September Manager of the Month.
