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The Woods’ Under 18s
followed up last week’s County Cup success by collecting three Allied
Counties League points to move closer at the top of the Premier Division to
leaders Hayes & Yeading, who were beaten the same night. But visitors Oxford
City didn’t make it easy for them, battling gamely throughout, even though
they played almost half the match with ten men due to a lack of substitutes.
Early on, Jack
Bennett’s wing play put Oxford under pressure, with Chris Michael also
causing the visitors problems. Both Will Hudson and Nick Glenday saw efforts
just off target, then midway through the half Bennett fired in a 25-yard
effort which was also narrowly wide.
There hadn’t been much
too actually test the Oxford keeper, but on 27 minutes Northwood took the
lead when a tremendous strike from Jamie Tomkins from all of 35 yards hit
the bar with the keeper beaten, and Courtney Francis was on hand to head
home the rebound.
On occasions when
Oxford pushed forwards strongly, 15-year-old Edward Hatcher and Tomkins were
strong at the back. Then Woods went two up when Bennett went down the flank,
and his cross was met by a header from Hudson which glanced neatly inside
the post. As the home side continued to dictate the play, Glenday headed
just wide with a good chance.
Six minutes after the
restart City were back in it when Reece Denton netted, and even though they
soon lost an injured man they continued to make the Woods work very hard to
retain their single-goal advantage. Northwood continued to construct some
good approach play, but the final pass and finishing wasn’t quite right.
It might have been
three just past the hour-mark when a Michael cross prompted a huge melee in
front of the Oxford goal, then Aidan Lynam’s effort was kicked off the line.
Although Woods continued to attack as they sought the third goal rather than
protect their lead, they couldn’t find the net, with City keeper Alex
Williams making several good stops, but the three points stayed at Chestnut
Avenue.
Manager Gez Reilly said
afterwards: “Some of our play in the first half was as good as anything
we’ve seen this season, with some excellent movement and passing. But we
fell away a little after half-time, and perhaps became a little complacency
when playing against ten men. However, we are delighted that we are still in
with a chance of lifting three trophies.”
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ALLIEDS