AGE

OPPONENTS COMPETITION VENUE
 

SCORE

GOAL SCORERS

&

MOTM

REPORT

UNDER 10 Black

London Maccabi Lions

League

White Division

Away

L 0-1

MOTM: Sam Nelmes

A disappointing end to the Woods’ season, which trailed off in the last few weeks of the campaign. Playing the game on a perfect – but extremely large – pitch, in very hot conditions it seemed that the space would benefit the Woods, however they never really got going in their final league game of the season.

Recent weeks has seen the Woods fail to play a passing game and today was no different.  The Woods created a number of clear-cut chances in the first half, but could not put them away. Then from a drop ball, which was thrown hard into the ground by the referee, the home side slid the ball forward for a well-taken goal that took the home team into the break with a lead that on desire and commitment they deserved.

The Woods came back into the game more in the second half, but just couldn’t find their true rhythm. In fact the Woods could have gone two down but for the efforts of Toby Brown in goal and the goal posts!

A disappointing end to the season, which sees them finish sixth in their division, a division they were close to leading only three weeks ago!

UNDER 10

Red

Edson League

Orange Division

Home

W 3-0

Scorers: Daniel Pickavance, Seb Priest, Mitchell Powell

MOTM: Daniel Pickavance

This was a high-pressure game against the current league leaders was always going to be a tough contest. Edson came to Northwood knowing that a draw would be sufficient to give them the league title, so came to defend. Playing three at the back they were clearly determined not to lose.

Early exchanges saw the Woods on top, and creating a number of chances that they just couldn’t take. Edson appeared to be relying on a long ball to their lone striker, or a quick break to snatch a goal, but the Woods defence held firm, and never really looked in trouble.

Then halfway through the first half the Woods had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down by the referee, who was unsighted and so couldn’t give the penalty. Although aggrieved the Woods continued to pressure but still could not get that vital goal.

With a nil nil half time score that suited Edson more than the Woods, the second half started very much as the first half has done, with the Woods pressing and the Visitors more than happy to absorb the pressure and keep a clean sheet. The tension was bubbling up as the second half progressed and moved into the final quarter with the match still goalless.

Then handball by an Edson defender appeared to swing the match Northwood’s way. All this did was to increase the tension as the Woods failed to convert their golden opportunity to take the lead. If anything, the Woods have shown over recent weeks some battling qualities and a determination to win their matches.

Still goalless with less than 4 minutes to go the ball bobbled around the Edson penalty box, with no defender taking the responsibility to give the ball a big hoof out of the Box. The Ball eventually found Daniel Pickavance on the edge of the box. Daniel beat one man and hit the ball through the Edson goalie and into the net to the great excitement of the Northwood team and supporters. Daniel eventually emerged from the pile of jubilant Northwood players!

Still, a one-goal lead meant that the Woods could not afford to slip up and let Edson score. Edson attacked but failed to convert their chance as Seb Priest in the Woods goal held onto the ball. A long clearance kick from the Woods goalie bounced, on the hard ground, and into the Edson Box. With striker Chloe Farrell chasing hard, and the visitors’ goalie off his line, the ball bounced over the goalie’s head and into the goal, to the sheer delight of the Woods and the despair of the unfortunate Edson goalie.

At two nil up it appeared all over for the visitors, and it most certainly was when the Woods attacked again. Mitchell Powell took the ball on towards the penalty area; beat one man, then two, then more before making space to slot home the Woods third. There was almost a fourth goal from the Woods but the final whistle was blown just as the ball was crossed to Chloe Farrell to put the ball in the net. Full time is full time and Chloe’s goal did not stand.

With Edson’s season now over, the Woods have to win next week to take the Orange division title.

AGE

OPPONENTS COMPETITION VENUE
 

SCORE

GOAL SCORERS

&

MOTM

REPORT

UNDER 8 Red Watford

Maccabi Lions  Blue

Watford Friendly League

Group E

Away

L 2-4

Scorers: Callum Bullock, Jonathan Philips

MOTM: Bladen Trigg

The last game of the season summed up the whole campaign for Northwood. It was a match of highs and lows. The notable downers were the eventual scoreline – 4-2 to the home team – and some occasional lapses in concentration that allowed Maccabi their winners.

But as stand-in coach Dom Trigg rightly gave everyone a go for this final fixture, it says something for the Woods' resilience that they were actually 2-1 ahead at one point and looking good for that lead. Jonathan Philips, fresh from a bout of sickness ahead of the game, looked comfortable in centre midfield and scored a very classy goal. Callum Bullock hit the leveler in the middle of the first half. But it was the work rate and never-say-die attitude of Bladen Trigg that won the man-of-the-match award.

UNDER 17 Watford

Garston Boys

League

Home

W 5-2

Scorers: Joe Mortimer, Ryan Lee, Jonathan Williamson, Andy Parslow,  Tom Richardson.

MOTM:  Adam Scott

An dreary first half performance saw The Woods go in at half time level at 2-2. The Woods’ opener was coolly dispatched after just 7 minutes by Joe Mortimer but the hosts were to be taken by surprise later in the half when two quick goals from Garston put The Woods behind.  Fortunately, a leveller from Andy Parslow regained parity just before the break.

Getting back to basics in the second half, The Woods soon regained the lead through a Jonathan Williamson cross, a Tom Richardson shot in the penalty area and a Ryan Lee tap in after a good period of team play. This result ensures The Woods of second place, but with Chorleywood Red on Thursday now, it’s all to play for to gain top spot. Adam Scott was named MOTM for stern defending during the whole match.

AGE

OPPONENTS COMPETITION VENUE
 

SCORE

GOAL SCORERS

&

MOTM

REPORT

UNDER 9 Watford Black

Harvesters U9 North

W.F.L. Red Division

Home

L 3-4

Scorers: Ben Spires, William Holland, James McIntosh.

MOTM: The Whole TEAM!

Today saw the last League match of the season and we were up against Harvesters North. The Woods were in good spirit from the off and immediately went searching for Goal, which wasn’t  long in coming. A fantastic run down the right by James McIntosh finishing with a shot on goal which had there keeper beat all the way, unfortunately hitting the cross bar but falling at the feet of Ben Spires who made no mistake in finding the back of the net. Harvesters were not going to take this lying down and quickly came back at us to equalise, and then to go 2-1 up.

The Woods never looked too worried as they were still in control of the game, with some lovely passing, and great playmaking teamwork effort. The Woods were constantly pushing the visitors and after a great taken corner from Matthew Walker, forcing there keeper to make a save, but he was unable to gather the ball and Will Holland calmly finished off to get the deserved equaliser, 2-2. We continued to attack Harvesters goal, and quickly found ourselves 3-2 up, after a cracking shot from James McIntosh went in after there keeper was unable to stop. Harvesters were still very keen and were on the lookout to equalize and against the run of play not only did they equalize but took a fourth as well, which gave them the full three points. The result was disappointing when we had so much of the game, and definitely deserved to win.

This was a FANTASTIC TEAM performance to finish the season with, and although we have had a tough season with disappointing results, I have seen all the team get stronger and hopefully should benefit for next season.

UNDER 10 Black

League

White Division

Home

No Match

UNDER 10 Red

Croxley Guild Lions League

Orange Division

Home

W 3-1

Scorers: Chloe Farrell 2, Yvshnave Amaranath

MOTM: Yvshnave Amaranath

A very tight game won by the first half performance from the Woods. The first five minutes saw the Woods struggling to resume where they left off last week. However as the half reached the half way point, the Woods started to put their passing game together, and chances started to come their way. The visitors’ defence held firm against a skilful Woods midfield and striker. Then after about thirteen minutes of play, Mitchell Powell sent over a perfectly flighted corner, which the Croxley defence allowed to go over their heads. The ball fell perfectly for Woods’ striker Chloe Farrell, who calmly put the ball into the back of the net to give the Woods’ a well-deserved lead.

The lead was doubled a few minutes later when Max Marmor found himself unmarked on the edge of the box. Max fired in a powerful shot that the Croxley goalie could only parry. The ball fell to Chloe Farrell who doubled the Woods lead. The Woods continued to dominate the first half but couldn’t increase their lead to give them the cushion they needed.

The second half saw a change in the game. The heavens opened and the Woods seemed to loose their shape, as the game became far more even, with both sides creating chances, and perhaps the visitors were having marginally the better of the second half. The game suddenly became a lot tighter when a defensive mistake let in the Visitors to score and put themselves in with a chance of snatching the draw and even the win. The Woods continued to battle, but without managing the fluency of the first half. One slip and they knew that their hopes of winning their division would be gone.

Then with 4 minutes or so left on the clock, Mitchell Powell sent another corner into the box. The Croxley defence cleared the ball, but only as far as defender Vyshnave Amaranath who was positioned just outside the penalty box. Vyshnave returned the ball back in with power and accuracy, to give the Woods some breathing space and relieve the pressure on the team. At 3 –1 up the Woods consolidated their position with some basic safety-first football and record a good win against a team that they started the day level on points with.

UNDER 14  Watford

London Colney North FC

Blue Division

London Colney North FC

L 0-3

MOTM: Ryan Bignall

With only 10 players available due to injuries picked up in Thursday night’s game and the prospect of playing a team who are likely to win the league this season, Northwood could have caved. Instead, they came out and gave the best account of themselves all season with a fantastic battling display. The lack of numbers meant that an attacking threat was difficult to sustain and Colney dominated the majority of the first half. That said however, Northwood restricted Colney to efforts from long distance to increase the home sides frustration. It was only in the final two minutes of the half that Colney managed to score and unfortunately they scored twice in two minutes to make it 2-0 at halftime.

The second half began and continued in the same vain, Northwood frustrating Colney to long range shots but Northwood were unlucky not to score themselves with Luke Dunne and Khemawl Brighton going close. Eventually the big pitch, long grass, heavy rain and lack of numbers told as Colney were able to make it 3-0 but huge credit to the boys that it took until the last five minutes for them to score the third. Quite simply, the best commitment, performance and determination shown by the team this season. There is no other team in the league who could have done any better than they did – full credit to all of them.

UNDER 17 Watford

Elstree Vale

League

Home

W 7-1

Scorers: Joe Mortimer 2, Ryan Lee 2, Jonathan Williamson, Andy Parslow, Tom Richardson.

MOTM: Andy Parslow

An excellent first half performance wrapped up this match, going in at half time 5-0 up and effectively ending any surprises in this encounter. The opener was coolly dispatched by Jonathan Williamson after just 9 minutes and was quickly followed by shots from Joe Mortimer, Andy Parslow and Ryan Lee.  A Tom Richardson tap in before the break sealed a resounding period for The Woods.  In between, three offside goals being ruled out, Joe Mortimer and Ryan Lee completed their ‘braces’. A consolation goal for the visitors came in the last period.

UNDER 18 Watford

Muswell Hill

League

Home

L 4-5

Scorers: Jerome Cole 2, Myley Connors, Kyle Findlater

MOTM: Kyle Findlater.

What a disappointing result! Woods needed a win to make second place a possibility. However, they came up against a resurgent Muswell Hill team. Woods were 4-2 down at half time and fought back to level it 4-4. Unfortunately a rash tackle gave Muswell Hill a penalty as they converted to win 5-4. Goalscorers for Woods were Jerome Cole 2, Myley Connors 1 & Kyle Findlater 1. Kyle Findlater had another fine game to take Man Of The Match.

AGE

OPPONENTS COMPETITION VENUE

SCORE

GOAL SCORERS

&

MOTM
 

REPORT

UNDER 8

Red Watford

Whetstone Wanderers

Watford Friendly League

Group E

Home

L 0-3

MOTM:
Bradley Henderson

If games were decided on possession and chances, then Northwood would have romped away with this one. Instead they fell to two well taken chances and a rather lucky goal. That gave a 3-0 scoreline that flattered newly anointed champions Whetstone.

At no point did the Woods look out of their depth as they harried the opposition every time they had the ball. This never-say-die attitude was typified by man-of-the-match Bradley Henderson, who dominated the midfield with some tough tackling and deft passes.

Although this was another depressing loss after a long layoff there was enough in this game to suggest the Reds will be a formidable proposition when they hit their stride next season.

UNDER 9’s

Watford

Red

Hemel Athletic

League

White division

Home

W 3-2

Scorers: Sonny Grinham, Jonathan Kennedy, Benedict Andrews

MOTM:

Benedict Andrews

The last time these two sides met Northwood were only able to field 5 players and put in a very spirited performance losing by a single goal. This week, playing at home, Northwood fielded a full strength team which proved just too much for a talented and hard working Hemel.

Northwood were barely awake when Hemel strung together a series of passes leading to a goal within a few minutes of the match starting.  However, this seemed to jolt Northwood into action and they began to settle down and take control.  Halfway through the first half, Northwood were rewarded.  Stringing together some superb passes down the left flank, Benedict looked up to see Sonny screaming down the middle. Some fast footed action and a penetrating pass through the Hemel defence left Sonny with the keeper to beat. A deft drop of the left shoulder sending the keeper the wrong way and a clean strike saw the back of the net scorched and Northwood a goal ahead.

In the second half both teams battled for victory. The game was played at a furious pace and nothing showed between the teams until Jonathan split through the Hemel defence and smashed a blistering right footer past the keeper who could only stand and watch as Jonathan milked his celebration for all it was worth!

That wasn't the last of Hemel. Spurred on by superb coaching from the sidelines and some clever substitutions the team responded with a very cleverly worked move which, despite the best efforts of Tommy in the Northwood goal, left him picking the ball out of the back of the net. Minutes to go and both teams still playing at a pace matched only by Watford FC's screwing up of any chance of promotion, Northwood were awarded a corner. A carefully worked move resulted in Benedict losing his marker, finding himself in space at the near post and guiding the ball between the posts for a well deserved winner. The Hemel defence were left bewildered. 

An incredibly sporting match ending in a 3-2 victory for Northwood.
 

UNDER 10 Black

Echoes

League

White Division

Home

L 1-2

Scorer: Lee Stacey

MOTM: Lee Stacey

A disappointing result for the Woods who lost this evenly matched game. With both teams challenging near the top of the table, the game was always going to be a tight affair, and so it proved. Having said that the Woods did carve out a number of first half chances, which they failed to put away.

Then on the stroke of half time, the Harvesters broke through on the Woods goal. A great tackle back saw the ball go loose with the visitor’s player remaining on the deck. The Woods defence were guilty of not playing to the whistle as they momentarily stopped. The Harvesters player immediately rose to his feet and met the ball as it was crossed in, to the box. 1–0 to the visitors with literally seconds left on the clock before the end of the first half.

The second half continued in much the same vein with the Woods just lacking that little bit of desire – the visitors seeming to want the win more. Then about 8 minutes in the Woods defence failed to track their opposite number as the ball came into the box. This proved fatal and the visitors put themselves 2–0 up and seemingly on course for a comfortable win. Fair play to the Woods, within a minute they were level as an attack down the left got in behind the visitors defence. The cross found its way to Lee Stacey in front of goal who coolly put the ball in the net to make a game of the remaining 10 minutes.

Unfortunately the Woods could not step their game up a level as the visitors held on to take all three points.

UNDER 10 Red

Hadley Rangers West League

Orange Division

Away

W 7-0

Scorers: Chloe Farrell 2, Mitchell Powell 2, Daniel Pickavance 2, Max Marmor

MOTM: The whole squad

An excellent performance against the side that started the day in second place in the league. The home team can have no complaints against a Northwood side that the home team manager said was the best team they have played all season, and that included cup games against teams from a higher division.

The Woods played a game in the way that they had been told – passing the ball and playing with discipline. With the midfield in complete control, and supporting Striker Chloe Farrell, the Woods scored three first half goals, the pick of the bunch being a headed goal from Chloe Farrell who finished with kill, power and accuracy.

At 3–0 up at half time it looked like the Woods would “coast it” but the home team started to get back into the game. One goal from the home side and the pressure may have been on the Woods again. Two further goals put paid to any come back thoughts of the home team, and the Woods then had to see the game out to take the three points. Two further goals put the icing on the cake, in which all members of the squad deservedly share the Man of the Match accolade.

UNDER 14 Watford

Potters Bar United FC

Blue Division

Away

L 1-3

Scorer: Bolaji Oyekanmi

MOTM: Alex Bignall

An uneventful first half saw few chances created by either teams as the half ended 0-0 with neither team able to get a strangle hold on the game.

The second half, however, started with Northwood lacking commitment in the tackle and allowing United to waltz through and take a 1-0 lead. Northwood continued to struggle to get a hold in the game and it was from a bouncing ball and unorthodox finish with his knee that allowed Bolaji Oyekanmi to equalise midway through the second half. The parity was short-lived as poor defending from the restart saw United again waltz through the defence to re-establish their lead. Northwood continued to struggle, with fatigue amongst the players becoming more evident as the half wore on, playing their fourth game in eight days. United extended their lead further with five minutes to go and Northwood had little left to give in their attempts to comeback once again.

UNDER 17 Watford

Chorleywood Red

Spring Shield Semi-Final

Away

L 1-2

After Extra Time

Scorer: Joe Mortimer

MOTM: Amish Patel

In a game which the "Woods" knew was going to be a difficult this was to no exception with a final at state. Chorleywood started off the game well creating two chances with one clipping the top of the bar and a shot narrowing past the post. As the game went on, the "Woods" were unlucky not to have taken the lead, Ciaran Carney delivered a corner from the right which was headed back across the goal for Joe Mortimer to head in from close range but for the linesman to rule the goal out for the corner going out of play. Not to put the players off, Joe Mortimer gambled on a fantastic Danny Cummins free kick which was expertly flicked into the top corner. After the goal, both teams had chances with the "Woods" going into half time 1-0. The second half was as testing as the first with Chorleywood having several chances but not really troubling the Northwood goal. But with 5 minutes to go, Chorleywood had a shot which took an awkward bounce off the hard surface to put the clubs level and to send the game into extra time.

Chorleywood took the lead with a fortuitous goal, a shot which came out of nothing found its way in the top corner of the "Woods" goal.

The "Woods" battled hard to try and level the scores and Jonathan Williamson nearly did if it wasn't for a last ditch tackle. In a game where the boys where so unlucky to lose they can feel proud of the way they played. Amish Patel was named "man of the match" but every player could have had this award.
 

UNDER 18 Watford

London Macabbi

League

Home

D 1-1

Scorer: Jerome Cole

MOTM:

Jack Toland

What a good game this was! It had everything. Whoever wins takes second spot in the league out right. Disallowed goals, great football, excitement, incidents…

Woods took an early lead with a goal from Herome Cole. Shortly after Woods scored again only to see it cancelled out by a strange offside decision. Macabbi levelled it to make it 1-1 at half time.

Second half saw a thriller with both sides going for the win. Jack Toland in goal was superb keeping Macabbi at bay and taking the Man Of The Match award. It remains to be seen who will end up second as this result throws the whole scenario wide open.

AGE

OPPONENTS COMPETITION VENUE
 

SCORE

GOAL SCORERS

&

MOTM

REPORT

UNDER 9    Watford

Black

Whetstone U09 Tigers

 W.F.L. Red Division

 Away

L 0-4

 MOTM: Lee Sharp

Today was always going to be a hard game for us: Tigers sitting pretty at the top of the red division and us lying at the bottom. With a very late kick off to boot this was really a lost game before we started. However for the first 10 minutes we kept them at bay. What told was better players unfortunately for us, who knew what to do when they got the ball.

A poor kick out allowed their player to run through unchallenged and slot the ball past James. With three good long throws from Lee we managed to claim a corner on their left side. Matthew Walker took a good corner which went to the far post where Matthew Gibbs did well to got to it but could only shoot over. After that it was basically backs to the wall, with only James’ long kicks giving us any respite.

Lee continued to make last ditch challenges as he and James were exposed again and again. Goals 2, 3 and 4 came by which time heads had gone down and the expected defeat was arrived at. Whetstone are a good side, but not that good. You have to feel for the boys now as it must be hard for them to take defeat week in week out. We are still crying out for a goal scorer to take pressure from the rest of the side. This week’s report is short which about sums it all up.

Man of the Match this week is Lee Sharp for getting stuck in and not being scared by bigger opponents.

UNDER 9

Watford

Red

Whetstone Wanderers Pumas

Challenge Cup Quarter Final

Away

L 0-4

MOTM: Thomas Smith &
Sophie Maher

Heavy overnight rain and unplayable pitches at Northwood saw Under 9 reds travel to New Southgate to play their “home” tie in the Challenge Cup quarter final, missing some key players. Whether it had been too many chocolate eggs over Easter, or the loss of an hour in bed as the clocks went forward, the team never looked as though they had the desire to even try and win the game. Almost from kick off, there was no determination from the player who lost possession to track back, content instead to stop and hope that the defence would mop up their error. Although for a short while, Jonathan and Dan at the back and Thomas in goal managed to do this, there was a limit to what they could do, especially as the ball barely got past the half way line during the whole of the first half. Pumas are a good and well organised side and so with such a lackadaisical display from Woods, it was hardly surprising that Whetstone went into half time 3-0 up and with sufficient chances for the score to have been double that.

After a fairly stern team talk at half time and with the team re-shuffled, the boys seemed to wake up a bit in the second half. Perhaps inspired by the grit of the debutante, the team started to look as though they wanted to play football. By now however, it was too late and a further goal from Pumas saw the tie dead.

In the end, there had to be two Men of the Match awards.  One went to Thomas Smith, who pulled off some inspired saves and without whom the score line could have edged towards double figures. The other Man of the Match (or perhaps woman of the match), went to Sophie Maher. In her first competitive outing for Northwood, she impressed greatly with her determination and work rate.

UNDER 10 Black

Whetstone Wanderers Lions

League Semi Final

Home (played at Whetstone)

D 1-1 AET

Lost 1-2 on pens.

Scorer: Sam Lynch

MOTM: The whole team

12 seconds from glory! Whetstone, having won all their matches this season and, due to the poor state of the Northwood pitches, playing on their home pitch, were firm favourites to progress to the final. The Woods had other ideas, as they battled from the start and were determined to give of their best and believed that they could win the game by effort and by playing their passing game. The game was very tight with neither side being able to establish any sort of superiority. With both defences playing well chances were few and far between. The Woods created one or two chances, but could not take their opportunities. A little bit more speed in moving the ball forward would have made all the difference. As the half drew to a conclusion a swift ball to striker Sam Lynch, put him in the clear with only the goalie to beat. Sam made no mistake to put the Woods a goal up with about a minute left on the clock before half time.

The second half continued in very much the same vein, without either side getting the upper hand. It looked as if the Woods were going to record a hard earned win, but with tiredness setting in, and a lapse of concentration at the back, Whetstone scored with 12 seconds left on the watch to take the game in extra time.