MATCH REPORTS 2005-06

Southern League Premier Division 

Cirencester Town 0  Northwood 0

 Report by Robin Piper

Northwood duly completed the great escape as they preserved their Premier Division status with a draw on a nail biting afternoon at the Corinium Stadium.

With news that both Evesham and Ryman rivals Hendon were enjoying half time leads, the pressure was on the Woods. However, Hendon conceded three second half goals to slip to defeat at Margate ensuring the point was enough for Colin Payne’s men.

Northwood took the field with Sam Hatton in an unfamiliar right back role in the absence of Dave Nolan, Danny Julienne partnered Wayne carter in central midfield, whilst there was a very youthful-looking substitutes bench.

Having survived an early scare when the Cirencester’s Steve Cowe blazed a shot over the bar, Woods settled well, moving the ball around with confidence on the perfect playing surface. Shayne Demetrious created a couple of openings from the right flank, his teasing cross just evading the far post before another ball in found Dean Clark whose first time shot was parried by keeper Paul Thompson.

Northwood continued to enjoy the majority of the play. Clark went close with a couple of free kicks whilst Danny Julienne had his shot charged down in the box. However, the best chance of the half fell to Clark who saw his close range shot saved by Thompson’s legs after a neat ball from Peter Dean.

Cirencester were quickly into their stride after the break, putting the Northwood defence under a spell of pressure, Scott Griffin firing narrowly over when well placed.

However, Woods survived and they began to ask questions of the home defence once more. Demetrious created space for himself before firing into the side netting from an acute angle, Julienne wasn’t far away with an audacious attempt from near the half way line with Thompson out of position whilst Clark’s fierce drive was deflected over the bar.

However, Woods were beginning to grow more anxious as they continued to squander the chances and ‘keeper Rob Bullivant was called into action to prevent Cirencester landing the sucker-punch. The Northwood stopper twice denied substitute Lee Davis whilst fellow sub Mike Symon’s shot was also saved.

Woods continued to look for that elusive goal. Clark shot at Thompson from a good position, Dean saw his header bounce off the top of the bar whilst skipper Wayne Carter was inches over with a shot from the edge of the box.

However, as the final whistled sounded, confirmation came through that Hendon had lost and Colin Payne and his troops could celebrate a remarkable achievement. Being dead and buried and adrift at the bottom of the table at Christmas, the Houdini act was complete and Northwood’s inaugural Southern League adventure had the happy ending that was so richly deserved.