Northwood U18 2  Ashford Town U18 0

Thursday 24th September 2015

 

NORTHWOOD UNDER 18		FA Youth Cup
Team line-up
1	Phil Daniels
2	Jordan Gargani
3	Pearse White (67m)
4	Myles Martin
5	Charlie Carroll
6	Eric George
7	Jamie Roche (52m)
8	Jack McDonnell ©
9	Freddie Buckley
10	Michael Brown (70m)
11	Louis Moriarty
Substitutes
12	Ben Spires (52m)
14	Jordan Williams (70m)
15	Charley McInerney (67m)
16	Matt Parsons
18	George Adams

There were five changes to the Northwood line up from the previous game, with starting debuts for Eric George and Freddie Buckley, while Matt Parsons made his debut as a sub in the second half. George Adams failed a late fitness test on an injured ankle which ruled him out, but George was keen to support the team from the bench.

Northwood started well and played some great one touch football, building from the back, through the midfield, with Jack McDonnell orchestrating the Northwood possession. Michael Brown and Freddie Buckley, paired together for the first time worked very well up front.

The first real chance went to Northwood on 10 minutes after Jack McDonnell played a ball into Michael Brown, who fed the run of Freddie Buckley, who was brought down by the Ashford keeper Nick Bennett – who in many opinion, was fortunate to receive only a yellow. Jack McDonnell sent the resulting free kick just over the bar. Ashford were kept to a few chances in the first half as Northwood pressed all over the pitch and made it very difficult for the visitors to build any play.

Finally Ashford’s Isaac Mplana was sent through on 30 minutes, only for Charlie Carroll to realise the danger and make a tremendous clearing tackle. Harry Herdman was a constant danger for Town, but for some very good marking from Pearse White could have been more influential in the first half. Michael Brown had a good shot on 37 minutes well saved by Bennett.  On 39 minutes after a quick throw out from Phil Daniels, Jack McDonnell pushed the ball out to the right, onto Louis Moriarty who cut inside and blasted a stunning shot from about 30 yards nestling in the far corner of the Ashford net. 1-0 Northwood.

The Woods continued to defend well, and Ashford pressed forward with a Charlie Bailey long range effort going just wide of Phil Daniels post, and Northwood led 1-0 at the break.

The home side started the second half in control, retaining good possession and playing with confidence; creating the early second half chances with captain Jack McDonnell at the heart of every move. On 65 minutes, Jack fed Michael Brown, who took the ball past two Ashford defenders crossed to his strike partner Freddie Buckley who calmly stroked the ball into the far corner beyond the outstretched hands of the Ashford keeper. 2-0 Northwood.

Ashford pushed Charlie Rose up from the back in an effort to win possession further up the pitch, and this opened up the game and led to a number of good scoring opportunities for Northwood. Jordan Williams was pushed up front for the last 15 minutes, and he found himself in acres of space but his shot was well saved by Bennett in the Ashford goal. Northwood pressed with a number of corners in quick succession, but failed to score.

On 80 minutes Ashford finally got some space behind the Northwood back four, only for Phil Daniels to make the save of season so far, a fantastic save from point blank range from the shot of Mason Roseboom. Northwood could have increased their lead as Ashford continued to  push forward, but it was a happy Woods squad who kept possession well and seeing out the final 10 minutes. .

Report by GARRY MORIARTY