Saturday 13th November 1976
LEGION SEND WOODS TO THIRD DEFEAT
HILLINGDON BRITISH LEGION 2 NORTHWOOD 1
Hillingdon British Legion played their best football of the season in the first half of Saturday's Middlesex League clash at Coney Green, that sent Northwood crashing to their third defeat on the trot. Northwood's manager Paddy Coburn is now desperately looking for a formula for success, but he felt his side was good enough for a draw on Saturday.
Woods made a bright start, and their goal king Martin Ellis should have snapped up two chances in the first five minutes. At the other end Northwood were missing the injured Barry Gould in the heart of their defence, and Legion caused them problems in the air and along the ground.
Robin Tidd tried to spark some life into the Woods midfield, but the Legion front three of Steve Burkett, Micky Frost and Kenny Burton always looked dangerous.
Roger Livingstone almost put the Woods into the lead, but Legion then took control. Burton was leading the Northwood defence a merry dance, and he forced a corner, which he swung over for Larry Frost to scramble the ball home.
Legion were now running riot and Gary Hirschfeld and Geoff McCarthy were beginning to make their mark on the right. It was Hirschfeld who blasted home Legion's second goal, a full blooded-effort from a full 30 yards.
Northwood couldn't have had many complaints about the 2-0 scoreline at half-time. Coburn shuffled his pack at the break, bringing on Ross Harman for Glyn Jones.
The second half saw a lot more of Northwood in attack as Legion looked prepared to sit back and bide their time, waiting for a quick counter-attack. Northwood finally grabbed the goal that was necessary for a grandstand finish when Livingstone rose high above the Legion defence to head in a free-kick.
Ellis had a great header hit the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten, but Legion's defence held tight to secure both points and make their Middlesex League title challenge all the more obvious.
Northwood: Currell; Heslop, Mills, Merison, J. Harman, Tidd, Franklin, Coburn, Livingstone, Ellis. G. Jones (R. Harman).
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