Match Report
by Robin Piper

Northwood were left disappointed after Halesowen overturned a two goal half-time deficit to earn a share of the spoils. Manager Colin Payne switched to a 3-5-2 system, with Danny Murphy and Lee Holland, making his first start in Northwood colours, as the wing-backs, whilst there was a return to the defence for Mark Dennison following his injury lay-off. There was also a place in the midfield for former Wood Dwane Williams following his return to the club from Hendon, while Peter Dean partnered Kyle Matthews in attack.

Northwood suffered an early scare as Halesowen’s Sean Dowdall saw his low drive deflected inches wide of the far upright. However, Woods responded well, Matthews having his shot saved by ‘keeper Dan Woodhall after good work from Williams, whilst the latter sent a shot from the edge of the box over the crossbar.

Northwood were enjoying plenty of possession and clearly enjoying the new formation. However, ‘keeper Liam Watson breathed a sigh of relief after Simon Forsdick’s shot almost crept under his body, the ball being cleared to safety. That signalled a period of domination for a confident Northwood, with Murphy and Holland making good headway down the flanks, the former putting over a number of dangerous crosses.

And it was Murphy who almost gave the visitors the lead, his close range shot being diverted wide after a neat through-ball from Mark Nicholls. Nicholls was involved again moments later, his shot being blocked after good work from Dean.

Woods continued to take the game to the hosts, creating a number of chances. Dean beat the offside flag leaving him one on one with Woodhall but the ‘keeper got the faintest of touches to direct the low drive onto the post, Nicholls unable to convert the rebound. Then it was Holland’s turn to go close, his far post header from Murphy’s far post cross being cleared off the line.

After Watson had comfortably dealt with a Dowdall shot in a rare moment of Halesowen cohesion, Woods were finally rewarded for their first half endeavours. Williams was on hand to scramble the ball over the line after Yiadom Yeboah got up well to Nicholls’ free-kick into the danger area to give Northwood a 42^nd minute lead.

And things got even better for Woods in the closing minute of the half as they capitalised on some poor defending to extend the lead, Dean playing a deft ball through to Matthews, who coolly slotted the ball beyond Woodhall.

It was imperative that Northwood kept things tight immediately after the break. However, they suffered the worst possible start as Perry Norman conceded a 48^th minute penalty, pulling back Dowdall after the Halesowen striker got beyond the Woods defence, the former picking himself up to convert the spot-kick.

The quality of the game gradually deteriorated as it became littered with fouls and Woods’ cause wasn’t helped as they had to revert back to a 4-4-2 formation after losing both Holland and Murphy to injury. Substitute David Warner joined Matthews in attack, Dean moving to the right flank, whilst Bradley Hewitt made his Northwood debut in central defence, Nicholls filling the void on the left side of midfield.

And Halesowen managed to capitalise on uncertainty in the Northwood ranks, Forsdick sending a looping header over Watson to bring his side level on 78 minutes. The hosts went looking for the deciding goal and they went close, but Watson was equal to substitute Chris Brindley’s downward header.

To Northwood’s credit, they regained their composure in the closing stages and could have wrapped up the points themselves. Peter Dean might have done better with his shot after a jinking run, before Woodhall pulled off a point blank save to deny Nicholls, whose follow up header ricocheted off the crossbar.

Halesowen squandered a couple of openings in stoppage time, with wild shots from Forsdick and Brindley but there was to be no further scoring, leaving Northwood with a useful point but reflecting on what might have been.

PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)