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In the first of two games this week, the
Woods’ Under 18s reached the final of the Allied Counties League Cup,
gaining their third win of the season against their main rivals for the
Premier Division title, Hayes & Yeading.
The game had a lively start, with the
visitors keen to get revenge for Northwood’s league double, but it was the
Woods who took the lead as early as the seventh minute. Jack Bennett and
Scott Purdue linked up well in a neat move before giving Tyrone Durrant the
opening to score with a neat finish.
Hayes hit back quickly, but skipper Nick
Glenday was in good form at the back for Woods, though the visitors went
close on 12 minutes.
As Woods enjoyed a good spell, Bennett fired
over with a speculative 30 yard volley, and the side had some good
possession. On the half-hour they had a very good chance, when Jake O’Meara
just failed to connect with a Bennett cross.
Northwood had a scare on 35 minutes when the
ball skimmed across the face of their goal, but no Hayes player could get a
touch. But four minutes later the visitors were level, Josh Andrews netting
with a good finish. As the half came to a close both teams were creating
chances, but it was still 1-1 at the break.
The second half opened slowly with both
defences giving little away, although Aryan Taj almost found the net when
the Hayes keeper made a poor clearance, before he was able to eventually
retrieve the ball.
Woods regained their advantage in the 58th
minute when Tyrone Durrant sent a through ball in for Courtney Francis to
slot home a very well-taken goal, and that was the signal for Hayes to push
forward in search of a levelling score. Skipper Glenday rescued his side on
66 minutes when he cleared the ball off the line, although moments earlier
Jamie Tompkins headed just over at the other end following a Northwood
corner.
Tompkins, who last week made his Capital
League debut and then was substitute for the first team against Redbridge,
performed well in his usual defensive role as Hayes sought to get back on
terms again.
But the Woods held on, to move into the final
against Maidenhead United or Burnham, after a game that was a good advert
for Allied Counties football.
Afterwards, Jez Reilly said: "I am delighted
with the whole squad, who have now managed three victories against a very
good Hayes side, who made Woods work hard for the entire 90 minutes. This
was our most proficient performance of the season, we deserved to go ahead
but were disappointed when they equalised.
"Phil Hatcher's half-time talk made a big
difference, and we were successful at the end!."
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ALLIEDS