Northwood 0 Bedfont Sports 0
Saturday 26th February 2022
| NORTHWOOD | |||
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| 1 | Daniel Hosier | ||
| 2 | Teddy Stacey | ||
| 3 | Alex More | ||
| 4 | Keagan Cole ©  |
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| 5 | Tommy Boxer | ||
| 6 | James Gurteen | ||
| 7 | Kyal Williams (83m) | ||
| 8 | Matt Surmon | ||
| 9 | Josh Helmore (70m) | ||
| 10 | Sydney Ibie  (90m) |
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| 11 | Carl Stewart | ||
| Substitutes | |||
| 12 | Will Robinson (90m) | ||
| 14 | Sam Jenkins | ||
| 15 | Luke Tingey (70m) | ||
| 16 | Ryan Young | ||
| 17 | Kristian Belousas (83m) | ||
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Northwood extended their unbeaten league run to nine games with a hard-earned draw against play-off chasing Bedfont Sports after playing the last quarter of the game with ten men following the contentious dismissal of skipper Keagan Cole.
Teddy Stacey returned after recovering from his foot problem but not to his usual central midfield berth, instead slotting in at right wing-
back with Lewis Batten missing out due to the knee injury he suffered in midweek and Sam Jenkins starting on the bench.
The Eagles forced the early pace with their direct style of play, Jordan Esprit spurning an early chance before Cole executed a timely block to deny Kevin Diomate. The visitors continued to dominate with Dan Osier pulling off a couple of smart saves to deny Esprit and Jonathan Tadafe.
Northwood began to make an impression, Ibie seeing a couple of shots clear the woodwork, while at the other end, Connagh Wilks sent a free header over the bar following a corner.
Bedfont should have taken the lead as Dan Williams scooped over at the far post when it looked easier to score as he latched onto former Wood Giovanni Palmer’s low cross. And the half finished with Hosier diving full length to keep out substitute Owen Cartwright’s free kick from the edge of the box
Northwood went close to breaking the deadlock early in the second period as James Gurteen headed Cole’s free kick across to Stacey whose first time shot rolled past the far upright. And Woods maintained their improved second half display as a marauding run from Ibie into the Bedfont box ended with his shot flying wide of the target.
But Woods’ afternoon was made more difficult as they were reduced to ten men on 67 minutes, Cole losing possession and in trying to retrieve the situation pulling back Sanders, the referee deciding it was a “last man” situation despite the distance from goal.
Photos by JAMES BROWN
Northwood re-organised as they sacrificed Josh Helmore for defender Luke Tingey. And Woods hade some more defending to do as substitute Lewis Flatman and Sanders went close.
The hosts survived a succession of corners and gradually the ten men of Northwood were offering a growing threat on the break as they looked to release Ibie at every opportunity.
Woods made another change as Kyal Williams made way for attacker Kristian Belousas for his league debut. And Northwood went close to getting that elusive goal as Stacey’s ball set Ibie free but the latter was denied by the feet of the on-rushing Bedfont keeper Matte Pierson.
Stoppage time saw Flatman attempt a chip from distance which failed to trouble Hosier, while Woods almost fashioned a last opportunity through substitute Will Robinson, who had replaced Ibie, the young striker losing his footing as he looked to break clear of the Bedfont backline – honours even a fair outcome.
Report by ROBIN PIPER
