Match Report
by Robin Piper

Northwood suffered their first home league reverse since late August when they went down by the solitary goal to second-placed Sudbury.

Woods welcomed back Bradley Hewitt, John Christian and Matt Baxter as they looked to do the ‘double’ over their Suffolk visitors.

Both sides had chances to open the scoring in the early stages, Baxter testing Sudbury goalkeeper Nathan Munson with a flicked header, whilst Stuart Boardley blazed wide when well placed.

The first period continued to be evenly contested but clear-cut chances were at a premium, although Jerome Hall fired a first-time shot over the bar whilst Mitch Swain saved bravely at the feet of Sudbury’s Gareth Heath.

The second half was only five minutes old when the visitors grabbed the decisive goal, Heath heading home from Matty Clements’ cross.

And Sudbury had a golden opportunity to increase their lead but James Rowe was off target after he was afforded a free shot on goal.

Woods made a change just before the hour mark, Dwane Williams making way for Lee Holland, which allowed Christian to take up his customary place in midfield.

And Christian threatened to make a mark for Northwood but his under-hit shot was easily gathered by Munson.

Woods were dominating possession with Sudbury happy to sit on their slender lead but the hosts lacked the cutting edge required to break down the stubborn visitors’ defence.

Bradley Hewitt went close with a couple of headers whilst Abdul Yoki forced Munson into a flying save.

And Yoki spurned a gilt-edged chance to restore parity when he was sent clear by Hall but he delayed his shot sufficiently to be dispossessed by a last-ditch tackle.

There were further chances for Woods as Hewitt sent another header narrowly wide following Yoki’s corner, whilst Baxter tried his luck with a bicycle kick.

But it was the visitors who went closest to adding to the scoreline in the latter stages, Heath rolling his shot past Swain but wide of the upright before Rowe’s attempted lob found the top of the net.

However, there was to be no further scoring and unlucky Northwood were left to reflect on a rare home league defeat.

PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)