ALLIEDS MATCH REPORTS 2007-08
 

KIDLINGTON YOUTH 0  NORTHWOOD YOUTH 1
 

The Woods’ Under 18s are still chasing three trophies following this single-goal victory at Kidlington in the quarter-final of the Allied Counties League Cup. On a good pitch, both teams started strongly, and Northwood’s first chance came on 11 minutes when a cross from Arjan Taj saw Oliver Wright shoot just wide of the far post. Soon after Jake O’Meara went on a good run and was fouled near the box, but the free-kick was wasted.

The game was being fairly evenly fought, though scrappy at times and the home side were quite physical, giving away free-kicks, but Woods’ resultant free-kicks were poor. Taj went close with a header following Danny Power’s cross, and when Courtney Francis set up Power, he was well off target with his effort.

The visitors performed a little better following the half-time team-talk, and Taj had a good early chance but shot straight at the keeper. Then good work by Power gave Taj another opening, but his effort clipped a post, and although Woods were taking better control of the game their final ball was still poor.

Finally Northwood took the lead on 73 minutes when Scott Purdue’s corner came out for Jake O’Meara to head home. O’Meara had a good run soon after, but Northwood were unable to add to their tally, and they had a couple of scares in the closing stages when Kidlington had good chances to equalise and take the tie into extra time.

Manager Gez Reilly said: “We did not play to our usual standard, but the sign of  a decent side is to get the right result when you don’t play well. This team has great potential, and they have every chance of progressing into the senior side.”