Tooting & Mitcham United 7 Northwood 3
Saturday 2nd October 2021
| NORTHWOOD | |||
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| 1 | Montel Joseph © | ||
| 2 | Adam Cash (75m) | ||
| 3 | Pablo Velasco | ||
| 4 | William Dupray (64m) | ||
| 5 | Arnold Linturn | ||
| 6 | Declan Nche | ||
| 7 | Shakeel Morris | ||
| 8 | Matt Ayres | ||
| 9 | Connor Cullen | ||
| 10 | Matteo Esposito | ||
| 11 | Leo Decabo | ||
| Substitutes | |||
| 12 | Sam Coles | ||
| 14 | Mo Sahnoun | ||
| 15 | Ryan Avery | ||
| 16 | Matt Surmon (75m) | ||
| 17 | Gio Palmer (64m)  |
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Northwood’s mood matched the miserable weather on an afternoon of driving wind and rain at Imperial Fields as they conceded seven goals for the second week running.
Woods’ defensive frailties were cruelly exposed once more, with Declan Nche being employed as a makeshift central defender in the continued absence of the suspended Gradi Milenge while Matt Surmon reverted to the bench with Matteo Esposito returning to the midfield, the only change from the previous week’s drubbing at the hands of Uxbridge.
But things had begun so well for Northwood as they took a sixth minute lead through Connor Cullen as he pounced on the loose ball to open his Northwood account after Tooting keeper Morgan Campbell could only parry Esposito’s shot, having being set up by Shakeel Morris.
However, the Terrors drew level on 11 minutes as Andrew Sesay scored with a 30-yard screamer which flew into the top corner of the Northwood net. And four minutes later, the hosts got their noses in front as Jamarie Brissett sent a looping shot from the corner of the box beyond Woods keeper Montel Joseph after possession had been squandered in the middle of the park.
Northwood threatened at the other end as Leo Decabo was thwarted by a last-ditch tackle after good work from Cullen. And Cullen was involved again as Woods restored parity on 18 minutes as the home defence failed to clear the lines from a corner, the return ball finding William Dupray, who squeezed the ball inside the upright for his first goal for the club.
Woods kept up the momentum as they created a succession of chances with Decabo and Esposito going close before Morris saw his shot turned behind by Campbell after cutting in from the left. But it was the Terrors who against the run of play regained the lead on 32 minutes as Daniel Williams was afforded too much time and space to play in Mark Waters who applied the finish.
Photos by JAMES BROWN
Northwood looked to respond once again with Pablo Velasco latching onto Esposito’s pass before seeing his low shot rebound off the post while Cullen had a shot deflected over and hooked another effort over the bar from close range after Nche had headed back Esposito’s far post corner.
Woods threatened immediately after the restart as Matt Ayres saw his curling shot narrowly miss the target after Velasco had created the opening. But at the other end, Joseph had to dive full length to deny Ollie Bennett.
But despite Northwood continuing to offer an attacking threat, their fate was sealed as they conceded two goals in as many minutes, Sesay scoring his second of the afternoon while Williams made it 5-2 on 54 minutes after more soft defending.
Northwood made a substitution on 63 minutes when Gio Palmer replaced Dupray, but things got worse for Woods as Sesay completed his hat-trick on 66 minutes as he headed home the rebound after Joseph could only parry a shot from Waters.
Cullen made way for Sam Coles while Ryan Avery replaced Adam Cash with fifteen minutes left on the clock. But after Morris had gone close for Northwood, the Terrors added a seventh goal with ease on 78 minutes as Woods’ defence failed to deal with Campbell’s wind assisted goal kick, allowing Williams to complete his brace.
As he had done the previous week, Morris popped up with a consolation goal on 81 minutes after a surging run from Nche from deep within his own half. However, the goal offered little solace to a Woods team who were left to reflect on another heavy defeat, their fifth league reverse of the season, with much for manager Ben Murray to ponder as he looks to turn around Woods’ disappointing start to the campaign.
Report by ROBIN PIPER
