MATCH REPORTS 2006-07
 

Northwood's second string took an even more youthful look than usual on Wednesday night when they played Harrow Borough with a handful of the Under 16s representing the club.

Liam O'Keefe, at just 20, was the oldest player in the starting line-up, with the Allied Counties side also represented by the inclusion of goalkeeper Anthony Ladyman, Nick Pearce, Adam Gill, Ryan Duffy, and Jack Bennett.

Harrow had a slightly older side, with goalkeeper Gary Ross continuing his comeback after injury and ex-Northwood striker Aaron Ferdinand leading the front line.

The Woods started well with Gill having a flicked header well saved before Duffy strode forward but shot wide from the edge of the box.

Harrow started to look dangerous themselves, with left-winger Prince Toku looking pacy, but the central defensive pairing of Gill and triallist Adie Cousins, looked strong and thwarted all attacks.

Ten minutes before the break, Duffy saw a shot blocked, and then 16-year-old Jerome Cole had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for offside.

The Woods lost Nick Pearce to injury before the break so another 16-year-old, Tyrone Frederick, entered the fray in midfield, with the versatile Liam O'Keefe reverting to left-back.

Harrow began to threaten midway through the second-half, and Anthony Ladyman was forced into his first save after 68 minutes when he held on well to a Jordan Georgiou effort. Ferdinand then shot just wide with an effort that flashed across the goal.

Northwood responded when an O'Keefe corner fell kindly for Gill in the box, but his shot was blocked.

Borough finished strongly and almost nicked the win. Substitute Jason Watson headed straight at Ladyman from a Toku corner, and then Georgiou spurned two chances inside three minutes. Firstly he headed wide from a pinpoint Ferdinand cross and then he blasted over having been set up by Rami Dawod.

All-in-all a fine effort from the young Woods side, who did well to keep a clean sheet.

The Woods now have the Capital League Presidents Cup Semi-Final ahead of them, taking on league leaders Dulwich Hamlet at Chestnut Avenue next Wednesday night, 2nd May. kick-off at 7.30pm.