Hemel Hempstead U18 1  Northwood U18 3

Wednesday 14th September 2022

NORTHWOOD
1	Max Bretagne
2	James Payne
3	Arinze Moneke (sub off)
4	Joe Reade
5	Liam Osborne
6	Harrison Clemow
7	Ben Crowder
8	Max Lousley
9	Fabjan Toci
10	Tom Reid (sub off)
11	Oscar John (sub off)
Substitutes
12	Sarin Thapa (sub on)
14	-
15	-
16	Calvin Wyatt (sub on)
17	Kwaku-Scholz (sub on)

Northwood made it through two rounds of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in ten years when they defeated Hemel Hempstead Town 3-1 in an away tie that was played here at Northwood.

The last time the Woods made as far as the Third Qualifying round was in 2010 when they won four matches before eventually going out in the First Round proper, losing 3-1 at home to a Dulwich Hamlet side that included present-day professional Paul McCallum, who currently plays for Dagenham & Redbridge.

Hemel gave up home advantage due to some essential work being carried out on their home 3G pitch but our own side was playing a competitive game at Northwood for the first time too!

They were gifted a great start by a poor challenge from their goalkeeper on Oscar John which led to an early penalty which Fabjan Toci stuck away. The visitors were soon back on level terms though with a header from a corner and goalkeeper Max Bretayne needed to be on top form to make several vital saves. Just before the break, the Hemel ‘keeper let a ball slip from his hands and Toci pounced again to give the Woods a 2-1 lead at the break.

The goal that made it safe was a real spectacular one as Tom Reid let fly from 30 yards to give the substitute goalkeeper no chance.

Report by ALAN EVANS