Match Report
by Robin Piper
Top of the table Northwood had to settle for a point as they played out a goalless draw with fourth placed Aveley.
There was one change to the Woods’ line-up, Richard Orlu returning to central defence in place of the unavailable Joe Cowen.
Both sides struggled to find their rhythm in a scrappy opening to the game, although Northwood keeper Mitch Swain had to be on his mettle to block Petrit Elbi’s first minute effort, whilst Woods’ Michael Gordon had a couple of jinking runs but was unable to find the target.
It was Aveley who enjoyed the better of the first half chances, with Bradley Barnes being the main provider. Joao Carlos had a close range shot charged down by Danny Murphy, whilst Sean Francis saw his near post header flash narrowly wide of the upright.
The visitors continued to look the more dangerous as Elbi had a shot blocked before Barnes sent the loose ball into the arms of Swain.
However, the Northwood defence, superbly marshalled by Bradley Hewitt, managed to resist the Aveley pressure and Woods finished the half well, with Leon Nelson almost getting on the end of a Ryan Tackley cross whilst Terry Davies tried his luck from distance but his shot was wide of the mark.
Northwood began the second half in a similar vein but Nelson and Gordon were unable to apply the finish to slick moves, whilst Murphy and John Christian went close with a couple of long-range efforts.
At the other end, Aveley’s Christian Wheeler had a couple of opportunities but he failed to seriously test Swain in the Northwood goal.
Woods gradually began to gain the upper hand, with Murphy making a succession of surging runs up the left flank but there was nobody to apply the finish touch to his dangerous crosses.
Northwood continued to press for the elusive goal and they twice hit the woodwork, Christian rattling the crossbar with a 30-yard scorcher before Hewitt was denied a third goal of the season after his header rebounded off the post.
However, the best chance to break the deadlock fell to Aveley substitute Sean Thomas but he appeared to have too much time and space in the box and his weak shot was gratefully collected by Swain.
But neither defence could be breached as the honours remained even, both sides extending their unbeaten starts to the new campaign
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Photos: James Brown |
