Match Report
by Robin Piper
Near neighbours Harefield United were the next visitors to Chestnut Avenue in Northwood’s busy pre-season programme.
Chris Drake went close to giving the Hares an early lead but his shot flew the wrong side of the post.
But it was Northwood who took the lead on three minutes when Dwain Williams scored his first goal for the club with a low drive from outside the box.
Harefield responded well, with Mitch Swain diverting Luke Lloyd’s shot onto the crossbar.
Woods almost added a second goal but Harefield old boy Sean Sonner’s near post flick from Andre Delisser’s cross flew narrowly wide.
However, Jack Bennett made no mistake with a cool finish from John Christian’s through-ball to extend Northwood’s advantage on 27 minutes.
A minute later, Harefield had reduced the lead as former Northwood stalwart Gary Williams headed home unopposed after Adam Willis’ free-kick rebounded off the crossbar.
Northwood threatened to extend their lead with Terry Davies being denied by Hares keeper Andrew Haggar, and Sonner shooting into the latter’s arms.
But Sonner and Davies combined well to manufacture Woods’ third goal two minutes before the half-time break, as Davies swept home Sonner’s low cross.
Both sides made a number of substitutions and after early second half pressure from the visitors when Swain saved well from Jack Flowerday, substitute Ryan Tackley put the game beyond Harefield as he bundled the ball home on 65 minutes following a Danny Murphy corner.
And the scoring was completed on 81 minutes as Davies notched his second of the afternoon by stroking home the loose ball after Haggar parried Delisser’s fierce shot.
|
