Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood put the disappointment of the previous week’s Trophy exit behind them by defeating Tilbury in a mid-table clash at Chestnut Avenue.
There was one change to the Woods line-up, which was missing the suspended John Christian. Ryan Tackley made his first start since recovering from injury, slotting in at left-back with Danny Murphy moving forward.
Northwood were quickly into their stride as they raced into a two goal lead inside the first ten minutes. Sean Sonner scored the opener on seven minutes as he raced onto a Mark Burgess ball over the Dockers’ backline, defender Danny Smith making a brave attempt to block the goal-bound shot.
And Woods exploited further hesitancy in the Tilbury defence after 10 minutes as Otis Williams stabbed the ball home from close range after Bradley Hewitt had headed down Danny Murphy’s corner.
The Dockers responded well to the early setbacks and launched a series of forays into the Northwood half. Goalkeeper Mitch Swain was called upon to save efforts from Jason Fontaine and Chris Stowe, whilst the latter sent a free-kick from the edge of the box into the arms of the Woods’ stopper.
Having withstood the Tilbury response, Northwood were back on the attack as they looked for further goals. Otis Williams was in the thick of the action, firstly sending a shot over the bar after Michael Gordon had worked the opening before a surging run into the Tilbury box was snuffed out by the Dockers’ defence.
There were further chances at both ends before the halftime break. Otis Williams rattled the Tilbury crossbar after a sweeping move involving Murphy and Sonner whilst the visitors were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the box for dangerous play, Stephane Koffi’s effort unable to find a way past the wall of red shirts.
Northwood set about putting the game beyond Tilbury after the restart and they were denied a third goal when Sonner had an effort disallowed for offside after Danny Power’s initial shot was blocked in a goalmouth melee.
Tilbury used their full quota of replacements as they looked for a way back into the match and they continued to threaten, substitute Clinton Hodge shooting over from a good position before the same player saw his long range shot tipped over the bar by Swain.
However, Northwood effectively put the game beyond the Dockers when Murphy added a third goal on 73 minutes, the Woods’ skipper heading home from Gordon’s pin-point cross.
Danny Brown was introduced for the impressive Anthony Page, whilst Joe Cowen made his first appearance since September as a replacement for Otis Williams.
And Northwood still had some work to do as Tilbury refused to throw in the towel, Swain having to deal with shots from Michael Black and Greg Cohen.
Woods made their final substitution with four minutes left on the clock, Bradley Hewitt making way for Richard Orlu.
Gordon went close to adding a fourth goal for Woods as he attacked from deep in his own half, but Jamie Wallace was on hand to execute a last ditch tackle.
Tilbury produced a late rally as the game moved into stoppage time with Swain saving well from Fontaine.
And the Dockers were rewarded with a consolation goal as Stowe tapped home from close range after the Woods’ defence failed to clear Koffi’s overhead kick.
Photos: James Brown |
