MATCH REPORTS 2005-06

Southern League Premier Division

 Northwood 2  Aylesbury United 1

Report by Robin Piper

Northwood’s season finally took off as they recorded their first points of the season after deservedly overcoming previously unbeaten Aylesbury United. Following manager Mick Harvey’s resignation at the weekend, Gary Farrell took charge of a team which featured a first start for the returning Danny Butler in central defence, while Richard McDonagh came in to play the midfield holding role.

Woods were quickly into their stride, the lively Peter Dean attempting a spectacular overhead kick which flew wide of the upright.

At the other end, Drew Roberts went close, hooking an effort narrowly over the bar after latching onto Paul Edgeworth’s  cross to the far post.

However, after a fairly even opening it was the hosts who took the lead on the quarter hour,  Hart latching onto Fergus Moore’s long  ball over the Aylesbury defence before coolly slotting the ball beyond the visiting keeper Jack Rashid.

The Ducks responded well, creating a succession of chances, Edgeworth having a couple of  shots deflected wide while Liam Doleman should have hit the target after he was afforded a free header following a corner.

But Northwood continued to ask questions of the home defence with lone striker Dean at the heart of action. And it was the livewire striker who extended Woods lead after 37 minutes. Keeper Lee Carroll’s goal-kick caused hesitation in the visitors defence, Dean breaking clear to round Rashid & roll the ball into an empty net to notch his third goal in an impressive start to the season.

And Northwood should really have wrapped things up on the stoke of half-time as the Gell twins combined well on the edge of the box, Chris having his shot smothered by keeper Rashid.

Woods had to make an adjustment at the break as Chris Gell succumbed to a calf injury. Ryan Kirkland joined the fray on the left flank with Richard Gell pushing inside & the young winger was instantly into the action with a telling cross, Dean’s deft header sailing wide of the far post.

However, the visitors were gradually enjoying more possession as they looked for a way back into the game, Drew Roberts dragging a shot across the face of goal.

Dave Nolan replaced the tiring McDonagh  as Woods as the hosts looked to shore things up but they let their guard down on the hour mark as poor marking allowed Darren Hay to power a far post header beyond Carroll to bring Aylesbury back into the contest.

Northwood introduced striker Darren Grieves to the fray in place of Hart as they looked for an outlet up front, not before the latter had tested Rashid with a shot after a neat combination with Nolan.

The visitors continued to threaten, but to often the final ball was lacking & their finishing lacked composure as they squandered a number of opportunities.

In a frenetic finale, Grieves had a wonderful chance to wrap things up for Woods, shooting weakly at Rashid after a determined run, while Aylesbury thought they had earned a penalty in stoppage time, the ensuing free-kick on the edge of the box being wasted by Doleman & Edgeworth.

However, Northwood stood firm to deservedly take the points & open their account for the season.