Match Report
by Robin Piper

Northwood made the midweek trip to Bedfordshire hoping to go one better than  Saturday’s draw at Waltham Abbey but left empty handed as they lost to a solitary first-half goal in a niggling affair at the Chateaux Roux Stadium.

Manager Colin Payne named an unnamed side as he continued with a 3-5-2 formation, and the Woods were quickly out of the blocks as they threatened the Arlesey goal. Skipper Dean Clark went close with a strike from the edge of the box before Dwane Williams rattled the crossbar with a shot from 25-yards.

The hosts responded with an incisive attack of their own, the lively Paul Barnes breaking through the left channel before seeing his shot well saved by Adam Thomson.

Northwood continued their bright start as Clark shot into the arms of ‘keeper Luke Howard, whilst the Woods’ playmaker was off target with another shot.

The game was flowing from end to end, Thomson foiling Barnes once again, but Northwood’s momentum was halted following a hamstring injury to wing-back Abdul Yoki in the 14^th minute, Kyle Matthews taking his place on the right flank.

Northwood looked to regroup but they were pinned back into their own half as Arlesey upped the pace.

Jazz Rose came to Woods’ rescue after Adam Theo’s attempted header back to Thomson almost presented Barnes with a goal scoring opportunity.

The hosts proceeded to force a succession of corners and they almost opened the scoring but the unmarked Dean Gilbert hooked his shot over at the far post.

However, after Brett Donnelly saw his far post shot deflected over, the pressure finally told on Northwood in the 24th minute, Gilbert heading home the crucial goal from Lee Wilson’s corner.

Woods were struggling to regain their early rhythm and the frustration was all too evident as Jermaine Hamilton and Williams incurred yellow cards.

However, Adrian Abramian created a chance for Hamilton in the box but his control let him down and the chance was gone.

At the other end, Arlesey almost added to their lead but Thomson pulled off a reflex save to deny Wilson.

Northwood were going to need greater resolve if they harboured any hopes of getting back in the game after the break.

And after the dangerous Barnes twice went close for Arlesey early in the second-half, then Northwood suddenly woke up and began to look hungry for the ball.

Woods began to force the hosts onto the back foot and Matthews had a shot blocked before his skimmed header narrowly cleared the bar following Clark’s cross.

Northwood began to dominate possession, and Arlesey were looking increasingly ragged.

Colin Payne made a change on 63 minutes, Douglas Kissule replacing Abramian in attack. And the Northwood substitute was quickly into the action when he sent over an inviting cross to a waiting posse of red shirts, but the ball somehow stayed out of the Arlesey goal despite the efforts of Clark and Williams.

Despite Woods enjoying plenty of possession, the quality of the final ball was lacking and they were struggling to create clear-cut chances.

And it was the hosts who went close to adding a second goal, Barnes shooting across the face of goal. 

Chris Mills was added to the fray with seven minutes left on the clock as a tiring Williams made way but Woods continued to be frustrated, defender Bradley Hewitt playing up front for the closing minutes as Northwood grew more desperate.

But Woods were unable to find a way through the Arlesey defence, the curtain coming down on another disappointing performance which leaves them languishing at the wrong end of the table.