Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood returned to winning ways
as they scraped a victory over Wingate in a scrappy affair at the
Abrahams Stadium.
Quality football was in short supply as
both sides struggled in the strong crosswind, a Michael Gordon goal in
first-half stoppage time separating the two teams.
Woods made a couple of changes to their
starting line-up, Lee Holland and debutant Emmanuel Sackey filling the
full-back berths with Danny Murphy missing out through injury and
Dwane Williams reverting to the bench.
The opening half-hour was fairly
uninspiring, with neither goalkeeper being tested. However, the hosts
had a number of half chances. Joe O’Brien just failed to meet Jerome
Boyce’s ball to the far post before the latter had a shot blocked
following Dean Nyman’s pull-back whilst Craig Ellis headed wide from
Boyce’s corner.
But it was Northwood who broke the
deadlock in the dying seconds of the half as they capitalised on an
error from Wingate’s Billy Amarteifio, Michael Gordon breaking clear
and rounding goalkeeper Gavin King before applying a cool finish.
Wingate proceeded to dominate matters in
the second half with disjointed Northwood barely venturing into their
opponents’ half.
Mitch Swain was called into action as he
comfortably saved Nyman’s shot before the Northwood custodian was
quickly off his line to thwart Daniel Clarke.
The hosts threatened once again as Ellis
headed wide from O’Brien’s cross.
New Woods’ signing Enrico Grimm replaced
Matt Baxter in attack just after the hour mark, but the Northwood
strikers continued to be deprived of any real opportunities.
The injured Bradley Hewitt was replaced
by Danny Brown and Dwane Williams was introduced for Abdul Yoki as the
game moved into the final fifteen minutes.
Northwood finally threatened to add a
second goal as Jerome Hall had shot turned around the post by King
before Gordon went close.
Woods were reduced to ten men for the
closing minutes as Dwain Williams received his second yellow card of
the afternoon on 85 minutes, the first Northwood red card of the
season.
But Northwood had done enough as they
recorded their first win in four league games.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Skipper Adam Theo (at back) gets up highest in this challenge Dwain Williams is chased as he pushes fowards John Christian is sticking close to his opponent Michael Gordon on another run Jerome Hall gets up well to win this header Close marking for Dwain Williams Jerome watches as Brad Hewitt gets up with two Wingate players Michael Gordon brings the ball out of defence Adam Theo is determined to win this ball It's a watching brief for Manny Sackey... Have a shot at the referee ... he deserves it!! Lee Holland makes sure this ball is his Sub Rico Grimm battles it out with a Wingate defender
Skipper Adam Theo (at back) gets up highest in this challenge
Photos: James Brown |
FIRST TEAM
