Draw specialists Northwood rounded off the season with another 1-1 score-line in a low key encounter at already relegated Leyton.

Woods suffered an early scare as goalkeeper Mitch Swain miscued an attempted clearance but John Sonuga was on hand to sweep up and avert the danger. And Leyton maintained their early pressure with Charlie Hamsher firing in a low shot which was comfortably saved by Swain.

Northwood had their first chance of the afternoon as Scott Orphanou exchanged passes with Ryan Tackley but the Leyton cleared the resultant shot behind for a corner.

The hosts continued to look dangerous and Charlie Hamsher might have done better after he was picked out by Nathan Turner’s chip to the far post but his shot lacked the power to trouble Swain.

Woods slowly began to find some rhythm  and John Christian had a shot deflected wide after a slick move involving Aaron Cato and Orphanou before the latter saw his shot gathered by Leyton ‘keeper Tope David Okeowo.

Northwood were beginning to get on top and Tackley played a dangerous ball across the face of goal which was inches from the on-rushing Kyle Matthews before the Woods’ striker had another chance but he dragged his shot past the far post.

Woods’ growing momentum was curbed as the game suffered a lengthy stoppage as Okeowo received treatment for a head injury which was sustained as Matthews challenged fairly for a loose ball, Alvydas Ceponis eventually coming on as replacement  ‘keeper  for Leyton.

Northwood were forced into a change at half-time as Anton Robinson replaced the injured Orphanou, Cato moving into the strikers’ role with the substitute playing on the right flank. And Cato went close to opening the scoring but his low shot rebounded off the legs of Ceponis.

But it was Leyton who broke the deadlock as the Michael Peacock deflected former Northwood player James Hamsher’s shot over Swain and into the far corner for an unfortunate own-goal on 52 minutes.
Woods looked for a riposte and Will Hudson found himself in a good position but his shot flew wide of the target whilst at the other end, Junior Bushiri headed wide from a corner.

Northwood substitute Nick Fearon was introduced for Scott Purdue on 62 minutes as the visitors looked to  regain parity and the equaliser duly arrived on 68 minutes as Tackley pursued a long ball out of defence which deflected into his path and his fiercely struck was too strong for Ceponis.

Woods went looking for the winning goal and Peacock’s sweetly struck half-volley flew narrowly wide before Matthews saw his shot rebound off the Leyton crossbar.

Leyton also had chances in a frantic finish to the game with Swain having to make a couple of saves from Turner whilst Danny Francis blazed his shot over when well placed.

And the game and season finished in frenetic circumstances as the referee incensed the hosts and their supporters as he turned down a vociferous penalty appeal after Max Moore challenged Ben Jones deep into stoppage time, the last act of a long hard season.

Report by ROBIN PIPER

Photos to follow...

Photos by James Brown