CHESHAM UNITED YOUTH 4  NORTHWOOD YOUTH 2
 

The Woods’ Allieds Counties side slumped to defeat at Chesham United on Monday night, and on a heavy pitch their cause wasn’t helped by going a goal down in the second minute of the game, when Tom Kennedy put the home side ahead. It wasn’t long, though, before Northwood levelled, Aryan Taj winning a corner after a good run. Taj took the corner, and curled the ball straight in at the near post for a quick reply.

Although Taj continued to cause problems for the home side, Woods had a let-off when Chesham failed to score from a one on one with the keeper as gaps emerged in the defence. And Chesham made the most of those gaps, Phil Sole netting when unmarked in the 17th minute. A few minutes later Jamie Tompkins cleared off Woods’ line to keep his side in touch.

Jack Bennett threatened Chesham at times with some good runs. He sent up Ollie Wright, whose shot on the turn went just wide, then made a good run from deep before firing off target. Following a good move involving Wright and Jake O’Meara, Bennett hit another shot that drifted just wide.

But Woods’ poor first half was made worse in the 43rd minute when their defence was caught flat-footed, and Stuart Bryant fired home Chesham’s third. As the half came to a close O’Meara had a chance in front of the Chesham goal but he shot straight at the keeper.

The second period took a while to get going for Northwood, who continued to look off the pace, although on the hour-mark Taj had a good run before firing past the post. Woods started to press at last, but the home defence held out comfortably as the visitors’ passing went astray.

Northwood hopes were raised when they won an 80th minute spot-kick after Bennett had been fouled, and Aryan Taj fired home the penalty. Woods raised their game in the closing minutes as they tried to grab a point, but although they had a couple of chances, it really was a case of too little, too late.

Chesham wrapped up the points with three minutes left when Ben Loyd fired home, giving Woods keeper Troy Roach no chance.

After the final whistle, Northwood manager Gez Reilly said: “We had a poor first half, in which we gave Chesham far too much room to play. There was improvement in the second half, and after we pulled back to 3-2, we had chances to equalise, then the late Chesham strike settled the issue.”