Northwood U18 2  Ashford Town U18 2

Thursday 21st November 2013

NORTHWOOD UNDER 18		Ryman Youth League
Team line-up
1	Daniel Daggett
2	Hashim Aziz
3	Eric Nyarko
4	Ben Robson
5	David Palmer
6	Giles Townsend
7	Jamie McKay
8	Ronnie Blagden
9	Steve Ward
10	Adam Wais
11	Jermaine Heron
Substitutes
12	Jamie Doolan
14	Luke Rushe
15	Connor Bevan
16	-
17	-

Northwood and Ashford went into this game without a Ryman Youth League win between them this season. Ashford had lost all seven and Northwood had drawn two from five. On paper, given cup exploits, Northwood should have been the stronger – and that’s how it turned out, with the boys pressing hard from the start.

Only a combination of some great goalkeeping and bad luck saw Woods fail to score early on. Ashford fought hard to deny Northwood the goal they deserved and it was clear that their chances would come from the odd breakaway.

That’s exactly how it turned out when some skilful play by the Ashford forwards saw them take the lead on 38 minutes through an own goal which went in off Hashim Aziz after Daniel Daggett had made a superb save.

To their credit, Northwood hit back hard, and the equaliser which Jermaine Heron scored in the 44th minute was the least they deserved for their first half display.

Northwood approached the second half as they had finished the first, and how Jamie McKay missed after a shot had come back off the bar right at the start of the half, only he knows. Ronnie Blagden and the impressive Heron both went close, and it was no surprise at all when Adam Wais finished off one of his dazzling runs on 71 minutes.

Ashford, despite fighting hard and showing no little skill, probably thought that was that, but for some inexplicable reason a needless free kick given away near Woods’ box led to a scrambled Ashford equaliser just two minutes later. For most of the game Northwood’s keeper had been a spectator, but somehow Ashford had managed to score twice.

With just over fifteen minutes to go, Northwood pushed hard but just couldn’t find the goal that they probably deserved on the evening. A special mention for Steve Ward, who played his first home game for Woods and looked a great prospect.

Next up is a tough match against Conference club Woking. The Woods look like a good unit now, and with a little luck and the right attitude they needn’t fear anyone.

For match photos click here.

REPORT and PHOTOS by Alan Palmer