Match Report
by Robin Piper

Northwood made it five wins out of six as they completed the “double” over their Middlesex rivals.

There were a couple of changes to the Woods’ line-up, with Danny Brown replacing the injured Lee Holland whilst Jerome Hall was preferred to Matt Baxter in attack.

In-form striker Sean Sonner almost gave Northwood the dream start as he forced Wingate keeper Gavin King into a smart save in the opening minute.

But the early excitement proved to be a false dawn, as the opening period proceeded to be a scrappy affair with both sides struggling to retain possession of the ball.

However, Michael Gordon shot into the side-netting for Woods after a surging run from the halfway line whilst Andy Edmunds was twice off target for the visitors.

Northwood threatened again immediately after the restart as a Gordon cross narrowly evaded Sonner in the six yard box before Hall sent the ball back into the danger area.

Once again the quality of the play began to deteriorate. However, Woods lifted the home supporters spirits as Sonner made it six goals in four games as he converted a flicked header from Danny Murphy’s near post corner to give Northwood a 64th minute lead.

And Woods went close to extending their lead when Sonner combined well with John Christian, but the visitors saw off the danger.

Wingate were mainly restricted to speculative efforts, with James Gershfield and substitute Matthew Batt trying their luck.

Northwood were looking increasingly dangerous and Gordon capped another mazy run with a hanging cross which Dwane Williams headed narrowly wide.

Batt wasn’t far away from getting Wingate back into the game as Woods’ keeper Mitch Swain watched a free-kick into the box evade everyone and roll past the far post.

Rodney Hicks was introduced for Hall as the clock ticked down but Northwood ensured that their lead remained intact and Wingate left empty-handed from Chestnut Avenue once again.