Northwood’s longest journey of the season brought no rewards as they were well beaten by an impressive Lowestoft side that seem certain to be among the front-runners for the title this season.

In an entertaining first-half, the home side settled quickest and skipper Jamie Godbold was the key to that early pressure. He got in the first shot at goal in only the second minute, finding space and flashing a drive just wide of the post. Then, a minute later, he seized onto a stray pass from Brad Hewitt to set up Reece Hunn, who skied his shot. The Woods then conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position and Adam Smith saw his direct shot parried by Mitch Swain, with Hewitt quick to clear the loose ball.

It was Hugo Figueiredo who was the main catalyst for Northwood up front and he played a neat exchange of passes with Rob Ursell before seeing his strike well saved by goalkeeper Andy Reynolds.
By now, things were more even, with both defences looking fairly solid. Swain picked out a header from the Trawler Boys’ high-profile new signing Matt Nolan, while Reynolds did the same when Hewitt got his head to a Gary Meakin corner.

Midway through the half, the Woods appeared to be getting on top through some excellent passing through the midfield and Ursell found some space for a shot which lacked the power to beat Reynolds and then Figueiredo shot over the top after a good flick-on by Garry Senior. Hopes were rising amongst the loyal band of Northwood followers in the crowd of 630 and after forcing another corner, the ball fell to Michael Peacock, who hooked a shot into the ground and just wide.

There was just five minutes to go to half-time when Lowestoft got their noses in front and it was the impressive Godbold that did the damage. Taking the ball past the challenge of Chris Seeby, he then exchanged passes with Richard Woodrow before crashing a shot past Swain, to give the keeper no chance.

Northwood responded with Anthony Page heading wide from an Ursell free-kick, and then the half ended with Swain making a good save low down to deny Nolan. Dave Anderson’s half-time team-talk appeared to have some effect as the Woods began strongly. Gary Burrell was having a quiet game but finally got forward for a good cross and Ursell did the same but the Lowestoft defence, led by Greg Crane, remained strong.

After 56 minutes, another good attacking move involving Meakin and Senior set up Page in space, but his finish lacked composure and sailed well over the bar. Two minutes later, a short corner saw Meakin centre and, when the ball was not immediately cleared for once, Figueiredo turned the ball back across goal and Hewitt got up well for a header which he could only direct straight at the ’keeper.

With the Woods’ depleted forward line, still missing Eugene Ofori and Kyle Matthews, looking well contained, the Northwood effort petered out from that moment. Lowestoft’s Adam Smith was enjoying a fine game on the left flank and one attacking run set up Nolan for a shot which he flashed well over.

From a corner, Woodrow saw his shot blocked and then a scramble followed, with Swain keeping out an effort from Neil Plaskett but the second goal wasn’t far away. It came after 63 minutes with Smith the catalyst again with a storming run down the left and his cross was flicked in at the near post by Gary McGee.

The Woods rang the changes with Lee Holland replacing the tiring Meakin and Leon Osei coming on for the ineffective Senior. The skipper Seeby moved into midfield in a more attacking formation, and he got forward for a shot which took a deflection, but only straight to the ‘keeper.

When the home side added a third goal on 73 minutes, another pacy run into the box by Godbold followed by a clinical finish, there was a danger for the Woods of conceding a hatful but Swain kept out a Crane free-kick and the final ten minutes brought little action at either end.

After two defeats in a week, and no goals to show for their efforts, the Woods will be hoping to regain their scoring form before next Saturday’s FA Cup visit to Chestnut Avenue of unbeaten fellow Division One North side Wingate & Finchley.

Report by ALAN EVANS

Photos to follow...

Photos by Alan Evans