Northwood had to settle for a point as they shared four goals for the second league game running on a blustery evening at Chestnut Avenue. With the heavy rain finally abating to allow the game to go ahead, the stiff wind blowing straight down the pitch made life difficult, but both sides adapted to produce  plenty of free-flowing football.

There was one change to the Northwood line-up following the weekend Trophy success, Eugene Ofori making way for Hugo Figueiredo, who took up an advanced position on the left flank, Anton Lewis partnering Scott Orphanou in attack.

Northwood played into the wind in the first-half and they had some early defending to do, and goalkeeper Aaron Bufton  punched away a dangerous cross from Reece Harris as Leon Antoine shaped up for a header on goal. Woods were soon on the attack, with Figueiredo sending a low shot narrowly wide before Brad Hewitt’s flicked header from Danny Power’s throw into the box was cleared by the Heybridge defence.

Northwood kept up the early pressure and the were awarded a free-kick from which Figueiredo delivered a perfect centre which was headed on by Michael Peacock to give Woods the lead on five minutes.
The home side’s lead only lasted three minutes as  they were caught cold by a swift Heybridge counter-attack, Harris breaking free before squaring the ball to set up Russell Malton for a simple, close-range finish.

The Swifts were using their wind advantage to good effect with a series of testing balls into the Northwood box, Bufton called upon to deal with a Ricky Griggs header, before the Woods ‘keeper produced a point-blank save to deny the same player once again. Woods continued to be pinned into their own half with Bufton advancing quickly to deter Antoine.

But it wasn’t all one-way traffic, as Northwood created a series of openings, the hardworking Orphanou being halted in his tracks on the edge of the box before Gary Burrell’s shot was blocked by Swifts ‘keeper Jamie Bowyer after a slick move involving Lewis, Figueiredo and Orphanou. Woods were defying the strong wind, and Orphanou had a shot gathered by Bowyer before Hewitt was penalised for a challenge on the visiting ‘keeper as he poked the ball into an empty net following Burrell’s free-kick into the box.

Northwood would have been relieved had they reached the halfway stage on level terms but  manager Dave Anderson’s intended half-time team talk took on a different complexion after Woods conceded a second goal on 42 minutes after they were unable to cope with Harris’ inswinging free-kick, Luke Fisher applying the close-range finish.

Gilbert Nuako replaced Chris Seeby at half-time with Danny Power switching to right-back, whilst Ofori replaced Lewis in the Northwood attack as the hosts looked to get back in the game. Northwood made their final substitution on the hour-mark, Danny Jones replacing Sam Sharples but Woods were being frustrated by the poor quality of the final ball, the long throw of Danny Power proving Woods’ best weapon. One such delivery caused a melee in the Heybridge box, with Ofori having a close-range shot blocked.

However, Woods were not to be denied, and Power assisted in the equalising goal on 79 minutes, his throw being flicked on by Hewitt, and Orphanou timed his arrival to perfection to apply a cool finish.
Neither side seriously threatened to muster a winning goal in the remaining minutes, and a draw a fair result on a wild and windy night.

Report by ROBIN PIPER