Match Report
by Robin Piper
 

Northwood had to settle for a point after they put in a sterling performance against their play-off chasing rivals, a display that deserved the three points and made a mockery of their lowly league position. There was one change to the team that started on Saturday at Yate, Danny Julienne being preferred to Joe Sparrowhawk on the right side of midfield.

Woods made a confident start with the lively Jerome Hall keen to take on the Halesowen defence. And Hall almost scored a spectacular opener, his curling 25-yard shot flying inches wide of the upright. Harry Hunt was the next to threaten, his long range shot being dealt with by ‘keeper James Dormand.

The visitors, who had ex-Birmingham City and Watford striker Paul Devlin in their ranks, were clearly second best to a persistent Northwood in the early stages. However, Jermaine Palmer might have done better for the visitors but was off target with a header following a corner.

Woods were back on the attack and the best chance of the half fell to Dwane Williams after Peter Dean had teed up Wayne Carter’s ball into the box, but Williams miscued his half volley.

The impressive Ryan Tackley was beginning to make forays from the left-back berth with one run and one shot was not far away from the Halesowen goal. And it was a whipped-in Tackley free-kick that caused panic in the Halesowen six-yard box, but the on-rushing Hunt was unable to keep his shot down.

That man Tackley was prominent again moments later as he let rip from 25-yards, his shot demanding a flying save from Dormand.

However, Northwood suffered a couple of scares before the break, and Hall showing good defensive qualities when he headed Palmer’s goal-bound header off the line, whilst Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz produced a top-drawer save to foil Devlin.

Northwood enjoyed plenty of possession early in the second period but they couldn’t find the final piece of the jigsaw which their composed build-up deserved. Williams had a shot blocked after Hall and Dean combined, whilst Dean created an opening for Hall, whose shot went agonisingly close.

Halesowen were increasingly on the back foot as Northwood looked the more likely to take the points, Dean creating another chance for Hall, whose stinging drive was expertly turned around the post by Dormand.

It was one-way traffic now as Woods created a succession of attacks, and another mazy run from Hall ended in a Williams shot that was wide of the mark. Then Hunt had two bites at the cherry but was crowded out by the Halesowen defence.

However, the visitors almost delivered the sucker-punch as Alex Cowley twice went close in the closing minutes, whilst substitute Nick Amos was off target with a free header.

There was a further opportunity for Northwood to secure the points that their performance deserved, Hall shooting at Dormand in the final minute after good work from Dean.