ALLIEDS MATCH REPORTS 2007-08
 

NORTHWOOD YOUTH 2  HAYES &YEADING YOUTH 1
 

In the first of two games this week, the Woods’ Under 18s reached the final of the Allied Counties League Cup, gaining their third win of the season against their main rivals for the Premier Division title, Hayes & Yeading.

The game had a lively start, with the visitors keen to get revenge for Northwood’s league double, but it was the Woods who took the lead as early as the seventh minute. Jack Bennett and Scott Purdue linked up well in a neat move before giving Tyrone Durrant the opening to score with a neat finish.

Hayes hit back quickly, but skipper Nick Glenday was in good form at the back for Woods, though the visitors went close on 12 minutes.

As Woods enjoyed a good spell, Bennett fired over with a speculative 30 yard volley, and the side had some  good possession. On the half-hour they had a very good chance, when Jake O’Meara just failed to connect with a Bennett cross.

Northwood had a scare on 35 minutes when the ball skimmed across the face of their goal, but no Hayes player could get a touch. But four minutes later the visitors were level, Josh Andrews netting with a good finish. As the half came to a close both teams were creating chances, but it was still 1-1 at the break.

The second half opened slowly with both defences giving little away, although Aryan Taj almost found the net when the Hayes keeper made a poor clearance, before he was able to eventually retrieve the ball.

Woods regained their advantage in the 58th minute when Tyrone Durrant sent a through ball in for Courtney Francis to slot home a very well-taken goal, and that was the signal for Hayes to push forward in search of a levelling score. Skipper Glenday rescued his side on 66 minutes when he cleared the ball off the line, although moments earlier Jamie Tompkins headed just over at the other end following a Northwood corner.

Tompkins, who last week made his Capital League debut and then was substitute for the first team against Redbridge, performed well in his usual defensive role as Hayes sought to get back on terms again.

But the Woods held on, to move into the final against Maidenhead United or Burnham, after a game that was a good advert for Allied Counties football.

Afterwards, Jez Reilly said: "I am delighted with the whole squad, who have now managed three victories against a very good Hayes side, who made Woods work hard for the entire 90 minutes. This was our most proficient performance of the season, we deserved to go ahead but were disappointed when they equalised.

"Phil Hatcher's half-time talk made a big difference, and we were successful at the end!."