MATCH REPORTS 2005-06

Southern League Premier Division 

Chesham United 3  Northwood 1

 Report by Robin Piper

 Northwood’s woeful run continued after local rivals Chesham came from behind to take the spoils.

Fergus Moore and Dave Nolan returned in defence, while Dean Lindsay replaced the departed Lee Carroll between the sticks.

Woods had the wind advantage in the opening period, and they proceeded to create a number of chances: Alistair Heselton steered a header wide of the upright, whilst Gavin Hart rolled his shot wide of the post with Dean Clark in close attendance.

The hosts were restricted to long range efforts as Northwood continued to look the more dangerous, Peter Dean seeing his close range header blocked while Clark went close with a free-kick from 30-yards.

Woods weren’t having it all their own way, Nathan Bowden-Hasse and Steve Sinclair going close for Chesham, but the hosts were fortunate when Clark had a shot blocked on the line before Moore saw his wind assisted headed effort ruled out by the referee’s assistant’s flag.

And Northwood were finally rewarded after 31 minutes when Dean latched onto Clark’s through ball to despatch a first time effort beyond the reach of home keeper Darren Bonfield.

Chesham were indebted to Bonfield minutes later as he deflected Richard Gell’s fierce drive onto the crossbar as Northwood threatened to extend their lead, Dean dragging a shot wide of the far post on the stroke of half-time.

However, the second half was a different story as Chesham enjoyed the benefit of the strong wind, and they were on level terms on the hour, John Lawford setting up Garry Sippetts, who made no mistake.

New signing Eddie Duah was introduced for Alistair Heselton as Woods looked to gain the initiative but they fell further behind on 63 minutes as Bowden-Hasse bundled the home from a corner.

Northwood were stuggling to find any sort of rhythm, and Lindsay twice denied the lively Sippetts.

However, Lindsay was helpless to prevent Sippetts notching his second of the evening, the home striker getting the final touch after Andre Scarlett’s shot was blocked by the Northwood stopper, to wrap up the points with seven minutes left on the clock, and to condemn Woods to their tenth league defeat of the season.