Match Report
by Robin Piper
Poor defending cost Northwood dear as they were soundly beaten by play-off chasing Hemel, who featured ex-Wood Yiadom Yeboah at right-back, whilst there was a place on the subs bench for former defender Mark Dennison.
Having more than held their own in the first period, despite conceding an early goal, Woods were undone by three goals in ten second-half minutes.
With Peter Dean suspended, Northwood elected to start the game with Jerome Hall as the lone striker in front of a five-man midfield, whilst Terry Hogan was preferred to Lee Holland at right-back.
Woods exerted some early pressure on the Tudors’ defence forcing rookie ‘keeper Warren Carter to collide with defender Chris Wild, before Damon Ming went close after he cut in from the left flank.
However, the early optimism was extinguished as the Northwood defence was caught napping on nine minutes. Hemel winger Abdul Yoki got outside left-back Danny Murphy before sending over a low cross to the unmarked Shaun Byrne, who converted with ease to give Hemel the lead.
To their credit, Woods responded well and went close to restoring the balance. Murphy wasn’t far way with a free-kick into the side-netting, whilst James Shipperley rattled the Tudors’ cross-bar after a game of ping-pong in the Hemel box.
The game was being mainly restricted to the middle third of the pitch with both sides struggling to create any clear-cut chances.
But it was Hemel who went closest to adding to their advantage before the break. Wild was off-target with a far post header following a corner, while Dean Brennan was unable to keep his shot down after he latched onto a long ball over the Northwood defence.
Having survived an early second-half scare when substitute Fabio Valenti shot weakly at ‘keeper Jamiez-Ruiz, Woods conceded a second goal on 50 minutes. After Northwood had squandered possession, Garry Sippetts got beyond the Northwood defence, rounding Jaimez-Ruiz before converting from a tight angle.
Things got worse five minutes later as Anthony Thomas played in Chris Herron, who coolly slotted the ball home to give the Tudors a three-goal cushion.
As Hemel began to run riot, Bradley Hewitt blocked another Herron effort.
But Northwood’s miserable afternoon was made complete after Jaimez-Ruiz upended Paul Edgeworth, the Hemel skipper picking himself up to convert the 61st minute penalty kick, the only consolation being that the Woods’ ‘keeper was shown the yellow rather than the red card.
This prompted a triple substitution from manager Colin Payne, Elliott Buchanan, debutant Ricardo Cannon, and Lee Holland entering the fray in place of Wayne Carter, Dwane Williams, and Bradley Hewitt.
However, Hemel continued to bombard the Northwood goal, Jaimez-Ruiz pulling off a couple of fine saves to deny Sippetts and Byrne.
As the game entered the closing stages Northwood’s youngsters finally began to ask questions of the Hemel defence, Buchanan shooting across the face of goal after an incisive move.
But that was the closest that Woods came to grabbing a consolation on a disappointing afternoon, their frustrations betrayed by late bookings for James Sparrowhawk and Murphy.
Dwane Williams finds space in midfield Wayne Carter up close for a corner Damon Ming lets fly with a shot at goal Damon Ming shields the ball
Danny Murphy swings in another cross James Shipperley heads for goal Substitute Riccardo Cannon on his debut Damon Ming in full flight Danny Murphy fires in a cross Elliott Buchanan in control Elliott Buchanan strives for possession
Photos: Paul Evans & James Brown |
