Under 12s (Black)
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Match Reports 2009-10
13th Dec. 2009: Abbots Youth 0 Northwood Black 3
The Woods won this “must win” game against Abbots Youth to complete the double over the team from the other side of Watford. Playing up the slight slope in the first half, the Woods tried to play their passing game on a sticky pitch. The Woods worked the ball around well and it seemed on a matter of time before they would take the lead. With strikers Luke Clay and Sam Lynch showing great movement up front the Woods were putting the home team under pressure, receiving some excellent support from midfield.
With about 15 minutes on the clock, right midfielder Henry Gibbor beat the left back and got to the by-line. The cross was perfect as Luke Clay met the ball with his head to bring a good save out of the Abbots goalie. However the home goalie could only push the ball out. The ball went straight to Sam Lynch who coolly put the ball into the net to give the Woods a deserved lead. The Woods doubled their lead within minutes as Sam Lynch was put through of goal, and beat the goalie with an exquisite chip over the goalie.
It was important that the Woods held onto the lead and not concede a goal before half time. The back four worked very hard ably supported by the midfield who dropped back as required to snuff out the opposition forwards. Abbots came close to scoring when, from a corner, a shot from inside the box hit the crossbar and was cleared by the Woods defence.
The Boys went into half time two goals to the good, satisfied with their first half performance. The Woods looked to push on in the second half whilst being acutely aware of the need to ensure that they didn’t concede another goal. Unfortunately an old tendency surfaced in the second half in that instead of continuing to play their team passing game, a number of the players looked for personal glory. As a result the Woods lost their shape and their passing game.
Despite a period of 7 or 8 minutes when we were encamped in the Abbots penalty box, winning corner after corner, the third goal just wouldn’t come. With 7 or 8 minutes left the Woods made sure of the win when Sam Lynch again lifted the ball over the Abbots goalie and into the goal.
A satisfactory result that could have been better if the Woods had maintained their discipline in the second half. This win was important as it could lift the Woods two places up the league and out of the relegation zone.
8th Nov. 2009: Northwood 1 AC Finchley South 3
The Woods got off to a slow start that determined the eventual outcome of the game. Northwood seemed lethargic early on and couldn’t get into the game. AC Finchley, on the other hand started with confidence playing some good football. The visitors earned an early corner, The corner kick was taken superbly as the ball came down right under the Woods cross bar. It took some sharp work by goalie Thomas Nicholas to keep the ball from crossing the line.
Within minutes, a carbon copy of the corner again resulted in sterling work from the Woods’ goalie to stop the visitors from taking the lead. Despite more pressure on the Woods defence they held firm with Thomas Nicholas being in firm control of any balls coming into his box. The visitors took the lead from a corner which, this time, was sent into the box about 8 yards from goal, AC Finchley were the first to react and without much pressure on their player, the ball was fired into the Woods net.
With about 8 minutes to go before half time the Woods were on the end of a harsh decision to award a penalty against them. The resultant spot kick was taken very well being placed perfectly into the corner of the goal. The Woods needed a goal before half time but despite their best efforts could not make inroads into the 2 goal lead.
The second half saw a much better performance from the Woods who were now showing more determination in their play, but could not unlock the visitors’ defence. Pressure was put on the Finchley defence when the Woods won a number of corners in quick succession, and it seemed that it would be only a matter of time before the Woods would score. Unfortunately this was not to be.
At the back, the Woods were playing with more confidence with Thomas Nicholas continuing to play with great determination and bravery. Unfortunately for the Woods, the ball went loose when cleared by the defence. With the goalie out on the edge of the box, the ball was hit from over 20 yards into the empty net.
With the game effectively over the Woods still pushed for a consolation goal. Some good work led to William Hagalid scoring for the Woods but it was a case of too little too late.
The Woods are in a difficult position in the league, but if they can play like they did in the second half of today’s game it should only be a matter of time before they move up the league.
1st Nov. 2009: Omonia Green 1 Northwood 3
A battling performance from the Woods in the wind and rain at Omonia. Despite the heavy rain the pitch was in good condition for this 2nd round league cup game. This allowed the Woods to play their passing game, and there were some good one touch football on display. The Woods defence had their work cut out dealing with the pace of the Omonia strikers, who had the benefit of the wind at their backs in the first half. Despite the quality of the football, the Woods seemed lacking in the final 1/3 of the pitch, and were finding it hard to put any pressure on the home goalie.
At the other end, the Woods defence were coping well with the pace of the strikers, and the Woods goalie having very little to do in the first half, the one chance that did fall to the home team was blasted over the Northwood crossbar. The Woods were lead by centre back Vyshnave Amaranath ably assisted by fellow centre back Kavathan Thavatheva.
Half time came without a goal being scored, and the second half started as much of the first half had been played. The Woods defence were benefiting from the home striker’s failure to keep on side. This helped the Woods settle.
After 10 minutes on the second half, the Woods attacked and put pressure on the home defence inside their own penalty area. The Omonia defence seemed to panic as William Hagalid was brought down and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Mitchell Powell stepped up and placed a perfect penalty into the left hand corner of the goal. However, Mitch had not waited for the Referee’s whistle and the spot kick had to be re taken. Second time round, Mitch hit the ball at the goalie, who saved with ease. However he failed to hold on to the ball and Mitchell prodded the rebound home to give the Woods the lead.
The Woods were now putting more pressure on the home defence, making life uncomfortable for the back four. Omonia did not give up and pushed to get the equaliser. Within 5 minutes of going behind, Omonia were level when the Woods defence failed to pick up three home team players, in the box.
The game was beginning to open up and the Woods continued to play their passing game. At last, with about 6 minutes left on the clock the Woods started to excerpt some prolonged pressure, and forced a corner. The home team could not clear their lines and gave away a further corner. This happened a couple more times, and from the 4th corner William Hagalid scored his first goal for the Woods, to give them the lead.
The pressure was still on, as the Woods had to hold on to their lead and not concede as they had done after scoring their first goal. A great shot from AJ Oyekanmi looked goal bound, as it whizzed passed the Omonia goalie, but it hit the cross bar and rebounded out. Luckily for the Woods Mace Leung was the quickest to react as he put the ball in the back of the net to give the Woods a 2 goal cushion with 3 minutes left to play. This signalled wholesale changes of personnel from the Woods as some of the Boys, who had been very patient throughout came on for the last few minutes, to see the game out.
Hopefully this win will give the Black team’s season the lift it needs to push on in the league.
25th Oct. 2009: Pinnacle 9 Northwood 1
At half time there was no hint that the final score would look so poor. The first half started with the Woods competing well and playing some of their best, and competitive, football of the season. The Woods dominated early on and took the lead when Luke Clay was put through on goal. Luke held off the challenge of a defender to the give the Woods the lead.
The Woods continued to battle hard, with MOTM Kavethan Thavatheva carrying on where he left off last week, making numerous well timed tackles. However the home team equalised with 20 minutes on the clock, which just about reflected the state of play. Unfortunately just before half time the Woods defence seemed to switch off to allow Pinnacle to edge in front to take a 2 – 1 lead into the half time interval.
The Woods need to get off to a good start in the second half, but Pinnacle, with the increasingly strong wind at their backs struck twice early on to give themselves a comfortable cushion. The Woods were never really in it from then on as both the confident play of the home team assisted by the wind at their backs, lead to further goals.
At the end the score line did not really reflect the effort given by the Woods who did their best but with a number of Boys returning after long term injuries or illness, it was always going to be difficult in the second half as fitness also became a factor.
18th Oct. 2009: Alexandra Park North 3 Northwood 0
The Woods tried hard but lacked that “combative edge”. Having said that, early on they defended well and even created a few chances of their own. Thomas Nicholas in the Woods goal was called upon to come off his line and stifle a number of Alexandra Park attacks. Thomas showed great bravery in diving at the feet of the home team’s strikers to save the Woods from going behind. It was pleasing to see Kavethan Thavatheva regaining some of the form that has marked him out as a consistent and reliable defender.
The Woods seemed to lack that extra half yard when it mattered, but with the game closing in on half time, the Woods conceded when the back four were beaten for pace by the home team. A minute later it looked like the same thing would happen, but defender Vyshnave Amaranath made what looked like a vital tackle. Unfortunately the ball rebounded into the path of the home striker who doubled the home team’s lead. Lightening struck again within the next minute with a carbon copy goal.
The blow of three goals conceded in three minutes set the Woods back and they never looked like making up the lost ground. It seemed that the home team would kick on after half time but the Woods kept trying and with Thomas Nicholas standing firm in goal the Woods managed to keep a clean sheet in the second half and even managed to score, but this was clearly from an offside position and was correctly ruled out. MOTM: Kavethan Thavatheva.
4th Oct. 2009: Northwood 2 Omonia 2
Another frustrating game for the Woods. Playing uphill in the first half the Woods were holding the visitors well, without being able to excerpt any prolonged pressure on the visitors’ defence. With 20 minutes on the clock, the Woods found themselves a goal down when the visitors were the beneficiaries of a close decision and were awarded a penalty, which they duly despatched to take the lead.
The Woods showed great spirit and equalised within three minutes. Shortly afterwards the visitors again looked like they would take the lead, but their shot hit the post and the rebound was safely collected by Thomas Nicholas, the Woods' goalie. Mace added to his first half goal and the Woods looked like bagging all the points. With only minutes left the Woods were unfortunate not to score when a one on one with the goalie resulted in the ball just going the wrong side of the post. Almost immediately Omonia attacked and gained a share of the points with a late goal.
27th Sept. 2009: Northwood 0 Edmonton Rangers 2
Following last week’s heavy defeat to the same team in the county cup, the Woods were looking for a stronger all round performance in this Challenge Cup
Round 1 game.
The Woods were not able to start the game as well as they did last week and seemed to be on the back foot for most of the game, with the players only showing glimpses of what they are capable of, and certainly were unable to put any pressure on the visitors goal.
With the visitors scoring two first half goals, it looked as if they may kick on in the second half and greatly increase their lead. However some sterling work in defence, especially from Vyshnave Amaranath meant that the Woods were able to keep a clean sheet in the second half, not to mention some respectability in the score line compared to last week.
MOTM: Vyshnave Amaranath.
20th Sept. 2009: Northwood 2 Edmonton Rangers 6
For a change the Woods started really well, competing well and establishing early control in this County Cup Round 1 tie. It was, therefore, a deserved reward for their efforts when after about 10 minutes play Right Back Charles Massi scored his first goal for the club with a ferocious shot from distance.
The Woods should have kicked on from here and looked like doing so, but midway through the half they conceded two goals in as many minutes. This seemed to deflate the boys and the level of their performance dropped. This only encouraged the visitors who added a third just before half time.
As has been the case of late, the first goal of the second half was likely to be crucial. Unfortunately for the Woods it was the visitors who scored the goal to extend their lead to three goals.
Despite the Woods getting a goal back, they didn’t seem to have the will to make a fight of things as Edmonton scored two further goals to run our comfortable winners.
The Boys have to pick themselves up as they play Edmonton again next week in the first round of the Challenge Cup. If they can manage 60 minutes play to match the way they played for 15 minutes today they will have a chance of gaining some revenge for today’s defeat.
13 Sept. 2009: OLYMPIACOS 1 NORTHWOOD BLACK 4
The Wood started very slowly and presented the home team with some early opportunities. Luckily for the Woods they held out and, with the wind at their backs, were soon putting Olympiacos under pressure, with the speed of Luke Clay causing the home side defence some difficulty.
Olympiacos were caught offside and the free kick was taken by George Hickey, who sent a long ball into the Home side’s half. The ball seemed to run and run with no defender taking responsibility. Luke Clay latched on the ball to take full advantage to put the Woods a goal up. Shortly after Luke Clay got his second goal from a similar long ball to give the Woods a two goal cushion going into half time.
The Woods were told, in no uncertain terms that the next goal would be vital and that they should not concede the next goal. Thomas Nicholas in the Woods goal made certain that the Woods did not concede and despite receiving a blow to the head showed great bravery in twice coming of his line to snuff out Olympiacos attacks that could have lead to the Woods conceding.
The Woods made sure of progressing in the Cup when Luke Clay completed his hat trick with AJ Oyekanmi scoring his first goal for the Woods on only his second appearance. The home side score a consolation towards the end of what was an enjoyable game played and refereed in the best spirit of the game.
MOTM: Thomas Nicholas.
8 Sept. 2009: NORTHWOOD BLACK 0 PINNACLE 6
A very disappointing result after the battling performance on Sunday. The Woods started brightly and put the visitors under pressure in the first couple of minutes. However with only 4 minutes on the clock the visitors broke and scored the opening goal from their first attack. From the restart in what seemed like a blink of the eye, Pinnacle had scored again. The boys continued to play but appeared to lack the battling attitude that was so prevalent on Sunday. All it needed was a goal for the Woods and it would be “game on” again, but despite coming close with a couple of efforts the Woods were unable to get that vital goal. As the half wore on, it became clear that the next goal would be vital. Unfortunately the Woods conceded a Penalty about five minutes before half time. Connor Harrell, playing as a stand in goalie, saved the spot kick but the visitors were the quickest to react and they reached the loose ball first to score their third goal.
3-0 to Pinnacle at half time.
The second half started as the first had ended with Pinnacle seeming to want the ball more than the Woods. Unfortunately some poor defending, and decision making, let the visitors in for a further 3 goals. Fair play to the Woods, when 6 – 0 down they suddenly put in more effort and were unlucky not to get a consolation goal. The Boys now have to pick themselves up for an away League Cup game on Sunday.
MOTM: Lee Stacey.
6 Sept. 2009: NORTHWOOD BLACK 2 ABBOTS YOUTH 0
This was a very tight game which helped focus the players’ minds for the forthcoming season. Playing downhill in the first half, the Woods seemed to have forgotten their passing game, and struggled to settle down and play football. Abbots, for their part, tried to play football even though they were playing up the slope.
This season, in an attempt to strengthen the defence, the Woods have changed their shape and this looked very successful in last week’s pre season friendly and during the first half. In addition, having recruited a specialist goalkeeper in Thomas Nicholas, the Woods defence looked a lot stronger. In fact on the two occasions that the visitors broke clear on goal, Thomas Nicholas came off his line quickly to stop what looked like certain goals. Despite a few chances falling to the Woods, neither team could break the first half deadlock. This despite the Woods being disrupted by a number of injuries forcing players off the pitch.
The second half brought a change in the flow of the game, with the Woods, now playing up the slope, playing their passing game. At the back the defence held firm with George Hickey showing great strength in the tackle and with his use of the ball. The Woods were now creating more chances and it seemed only a matter of time before they would score.
After about 20 minutes play the Woods attacked again and the ball came to George Hickey on the edge of the box: George let fly and the ball was in the back of the net before the visiting goalie could move. The Woods pressed for the second goal, but Abbots were still in the game battling away. It took a fantastic double save from Thomas Nicholas to maintain the Woods slender lead.
The Woods looked to have shaded it and with seconds remaining Luke Clay latched onto a ball on the left of the penalty and coolly went wide of the advancing goalie to put the ball into the back of the net. The final whistle went and the Woods had taken all three points. All the players showed great strength of character to battle back the way they did today, and full credit should go to all the members of the squad.
MOTM: George Hickey
Results & Fixtures
