Match Report
by Robin Piper

Northwood completed their busy pre-season programme with a comfortable win over Southern League South & West outfit Burnham.

However, the opening half-hour suggested a different outcome as the visitors enjoyed the better of the early exchanges. Jamie Handscomb saw his shot ricochet off the crossbar whilst ‘keeper Mitch Swain had to save a couple of efforts from the lively Ben Huddell.

Burnham continued to threaten and it was Huddell again who went close with a low shot which flew narrowly wide of the far post.

However, Woods gradually began to find their rhythm, with Michael Gordon having a couple of jinking runs but his shots failed to seriously test Burnham ‘keeper Michael Parkin.

But Parkin was helpless to prevent Northwood from taking a 39th minute lead as his defence was caught napping, Terry Davies stealing in unnoticed at the far post to head home Danny Murphy’s hanging free-kick.

And Woods went close to extending the lead before the break, Davies dragging his shot wide with only Parkin to beat after breaking clear of the Burnham defence whilst the Burnham stopper turned Dwain Williams free-kick around the post.

Northwood made a triple substitution in the interval with Nick White, Richard Orlu and Matt Plaskett replacing Michael Gordon, Joe Cowen and Andre Delisser.

But it was the visitors who began strongly once more, with Dan Willment and John Montgomery having chances to level the scores.

Jack Bennett was introduced for Ryan Tackley with Murphy moving back into the left-back berth, from where he played a delightful ball over the top for Davies, who rounded Parkin before coolly slotting the ball home for his and Northwood’s second goal on 57 minutes.

Swain made way for substitute ‘keeper Rob Pearce whilst Anthony Page, Danny Brown, Aryan Taj and Alec Gediking were all given a run out before the end.

And Woods confirmed their second half superiority when they scored a third goal on 68 minutes as Sean Sonner nipped in to apply the finish to White’s near-post corner.

There were further chances at both ends, Pearce saving well from Burnham’s Willment and Parkin clawing away Taj’s shot before Williams blazed over the bar with the goal at his mercy following Taj’s run and cross.

But there were no further additions to the scoreline as the curtain came down on a highly satisfactory pre-season for Northwood, putting them in good shape for the Ryman League campaign which begins with a trip to Waltham Forest.