Youth Reports 2015-16

20 September 2015

Northwood Under 18 Black 3 Highgate & Muswell Hill Wildcats 1

A good win to continue the successful start to the final year of Youth football; with a defence that works hard and is very solid, the Woods had a good base to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
The Woods took the lead, early on, from the penalty spot after a foul on striker Henry Gibbor. James Carson-O'Neill converted the spot kick. Chances continued to be created, mainly from swift passing moves, but the Woods could not extend their lead. With about half an hour played, Northwood conceded from the first real chance that the visitors had created - and in the end their only shot on target. The score remained 1-1 at the break.
The second half saw a drop in the performance level by the Woods, but they did show in flashes how dangerous they can be when moving the ball quickly. It looked like the visitors would take the lead when they broke through on goal, but through sheer determination centre-back Dan Linfield got back and made a superb tackle in the box to deny the visitors.
Midway through the second half, Henry Gibbor was left unmarked in the box, and at the third attempt he put the ball into the back of the net. The Woods looked a bit tight as they protected their lead, with the visitors pushing on to get the equaliser. This benefited the Woods as it left more space out wide and behind the visitors defence which they started to exploit.
Northwood really needed another goal to settle the nerves. A poor defensive throw in by the visitors allowed Henry Gibbor to nip in and intercept the ball, enabling him to go past the goalie and put the ball into the unprotected goal. The Woods could have extended the lead further but it wasn't to be and three more points were in the bag.
Brian Gibbor

Northwood Under 12s Reds 0 Borehamwood 2000 Reds 3

This was possibly one of our best team performances for some time but unfortunately we came away with no points. The boys all really stepped up to what we had been practicing in training and the ball retention and passing was quite simply brilliant against a big physical Borehamwood side.
In the first half the boys had pretty much all of the territory and possession but the ball just would not go in.  We also found ourselves up against a goalkeeper on great form as well. Borehamwood against the run of play nicked a goal from a fine strike just before halftime, so the boys came in 0-1.
The second half started and again the red wave descended on the Borehamwood goal again with the boys going close on a number of occasions with the keeper somehow keeping out our best efforts.
Once more, a Borehamwood player went up the field and scored, this time through a mix up at the back. The last Borehamwood goal came through another good strike just after we thought that we should have had a free kick for a John Terry type back pass that unfortunately the ref didn't see; he can't see them all…
Sometimes you don't always get the result that the performance deserves but very well done boys; as I said at the top a great performance.
Dave Blincko

Northwood Under 11 Whites v Maccabi London Lions Yellow

Woods were up against a very tough side with an unbeaten record! The game started evenly with our side having more possession than the opposition we had a fantastic strike that everyone barring the ref saw the goal cross the line and unluckily the goal was not given.
The game proceeded with Northwood whites having most of the play with all the team passing and moving and moving into spaces well; Maccabi exposed a gap in our defence towards the last 5 minutes of the first half allowing the attack to test the goalie.
The second half began with a 50-50 balance where volleys of tennis football began but with no subs the players were extremely tired; Maccabi had 2 subs which were well needed.
The team all played fantasticly well,  from our centre back Sarim to some fantastic saves from Dylan. Every corner from Louie came across their goal line and if only we could have connected we would have no doubt scored.
An extremely hard fought game that ended in a narrow defeat, but I couldn't be prouder of brilliant team effort.
Warren Dunn

Maccabi London Lions Whites v Northwood Under 8 Reds

The Reds continued on their fine pre season form with an impressive win over Maccabi London Lions. The Reds were ruthless in front of goal with goals coming from Kingston (4) Tobi (2) Antonio (1) Alfie (1). The Reds looked very sharp and that performance is great benchmark for the upcoming season.
 
MOM - Kingston Hall - Kingston, last season's golden boot winner, started as he finished off last year with 4 impressive goals. The pick of the bunch was great volley from just inside the box after some neat play and a great cross from Sam Gleeson. 
Jay Hall

Northwood Under 7s v Harvesters

The under 7s played their first league game, against Harvesters at home. We played really well, with goals scored by Shaqain 4, Taylor 4, Alfie, Blake, Alex and Zak.
Andrew Baynes