Wood return with a super five-star show

Midland Combination Premier Division

Racing Club Warwick 0

Walsall Wood 5

WALSALL Wood resumed league action on Saturday following a six-week break and produced a five-star performance away at Racing Club Warwick.

With the teams above them in sight, Wood were looking to close the gap and with only a handful of games taking place in the Premier, they took their opportunity in emphatic style.

Huseyin Torgut was recalled to the side in place of Richard Deavall and produced an outstanding performance in an unfamiliar position of right-back.

The visitors started the brighter side on a very poor pitch and took the lead in the fourth minute as a ball from Cadman found Purvey at the far post and he neatly controlled it before smashing home.

On a pitch where passing football was an impossibility, Wood did try and knock the ball about but they were dealt a blow as Cooper was stretchered off on 22 minutes following a high tackle which left him needing six stitches.

With half-time drawing nearer, the hosts conceded again as Cadman cut in from the right and unleashed an unstoppable left-foot drive that left the Warwick keeper rooted to the spot.

Wood extended their lead on 63 minutes as Purvey latched on to a pinpoint Torgut ball and smashed home for his second and Wood's third. Just seven minutes later the goal margin increased when some sloppy defending ended with the ball falling to Nghsidimbwa who dutifully slotted in from 10 yards.

By this time the visitors were running riot as Cadman hit the post, Ben Roberts hit the bar and Ahmet Bilgimer had one ruled out for offside.

Wood's total domination was rewarded with a fifth just before the whistle as Bilgimer was clipped in the box and Purvey stepped up to score his hat-trick and seal a convincing win.

Walsall Wood boss Rob Masefield said: "It was a very positive performance and I am pleased with the way we applied ourselves for 90 minutes.

"My only criticism is that we should have won by more."