Match Report
by Robin Piper
It was a return to non-League opposition for Northwood as they continued their build-up to the new season with a home encounter against Hendon of the Ryman Premier.
Played in sweltering conditions, both sides contributed to an entertaining encounter which was worthy of more goals.
After Hendon’s Casey MacLaren headed narrowly wide with an early header, Woods went on the attack with both Michael Gordon and Sean Sonner being denied by goalkeeper Luke Blackmore following sweeping moves.
Hendon survived the Northwood pressure and slowly began to ask questions of the home defence, with MacLaren, Brian Haule and Mark Kirby all going close, whilst Leon Nelson squandered a good opportunity.
However, it was Northwood who drew first blood against the run of play as Sonner latched onto Danny Murphy’s far post cross to send an unstoppable header past Blackmore on 33 minutes.
Woods almost extended their lead but Adrian Abramian’s effort was ruled out for offside, whilst Mitch Swain kept the lead intact as he saved well from Rob Ursell.
Sonner had a wonderful chance to grab his second goal of the afternoon early in the second half, but he seemed to be in two minds as he tamely headed wide following good work from Murphy and John Christian.
Hendon made the most of their reprieve and they drew level on 54 minutes, Ursell converting after Northwood failed to clear their lines.
Both sides continued to create chances, Casey MacLaren heading against the post whilst Woods’ substitute Aryan Taj was denied by Blackmore in a one-on-one.
The game became increasingly scrappy as both sides made a succession of substitutions, the dangerous MacLaren going closest to adding to the scoreline when he hit the crossbar with a rasping shot.
Despite the introduction of fresh legs, there was to be no further scoring as the game slowly petered out in the summer sunshine.
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