COALVILLE TOWN'S CALLUM WOODWARD ASSESSES THE PLAY-OFF SUCCESS FOR HIS TEAM...

CALLUM WOODWARD IN THE STRIPES: 2 HEADED GOALS IN THE PLAY-OFFS...
HE MIGHT NEED CONVALESCENCE TIME...

"On Tuesday against Basford, we went into the game following a hard earned point against champions Stafford Rangers, knowing we needed to start well.

We got off to a flying start, with a follow-up shot scored by Alex Troke, who powered home. We had several other chances but on 20 minutes, Nathan Watson delivered a corner straight onto my head, from where I couldn't really miss the target but it did come as a surprise, as I don't score many headers!

Shortly afterwards, Jenno scored a volley from the edge of the 18 yard box and this seemed to blow Basford away. Going in at half-time, our performance had been excellent.

We came out again knowing that the next goal was important and Alex Troke got that from the 'spot'. Then Nathan Watson showed his ability with a calm finish, rounding the 'keeper and making it 5-0.

We then just saw the game out, still creating but we knew the work was already done. 

We looked forward to Saturday, away at Shaw Lane where we knew we faced another battle...

Play-off Final day! No regrets...

Our preparation was bang-on and there was an excited camp! The first-half was very scrappy and from our point of view, maybe nerves were affecting us but we still hoped for a bright start like against Basford.

Aquaforce had a few half-chances and scored 15 minutes before half-time with a free header, which seemed to give us a lift. We reached half-time 1-0 down and knew the Gaffer would have a lot to say, and rightly so!

We made one change, bringing on Brad Munn for Jared Holmes, a tactical decision and we went 4-4-2. We knew we would only get better, as we were letting the fans and ourselves down.

We started very brightly, picking up second balls, winning our headers and our front three of Nat, Brad and Alex Troke were getting on the ball effectively. 

Brad and Nat then had a great interchange, Nat beat his man and fired low past the 'keeper for an excellent finish. At this moment we could smell more goals and it's exactly what happened. 

Their 'keeper made two good saves from Nat Watson, and Alex Troke then had a volley tipped wide. From the resulting corner, Dean Freeman, the league's Young Player of the Year, flicked on a corner and I was in the right place to head home and send our amazing fans, management and team crazy in celebration.

With only 10 minutes plus stoppage time to go, all I could think of was that they were going to throw the kitchen sink at us but we didn't change our formation and we still sensed that more goals were there.

Nat slipped Brad in one-on-one with the goalie, who saved, but from their long throw into our penalty-box, we countered in style and Nat and Brad ran at the heart of the Shaw Lane defence, with eventually Brad playing in substitute Luke Smithson to smash home!

That came as such a relief to the whole team, we celebrated together on the pitch and the management were all piled up at the side of it with the Chairman!

The final whistle sounded and our job was done...

I would like to add that this club has a very special Chairman, who I know personally and he deserves days like this one more than anyone...

Great team-spirit, but excellent management who made brave decisions at the right times today..."

CALLUM WOODWARD, COALVILLE TOWN MIDFIELDER... (ALSO HEADED-GOAL SPECIALIST & UNAFRAID OF THE PHYSICAL SIDE...)