MATCH REPORTS 2005-06

Pre-Season Friendly

 Wealdstone 2 Northwood 4

Report by Alan Evans

The Woods warmed up for Saturday's opening Southern League game with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Chestnut Avenue ground-sharers Wealdstone. It was Northwood's first pre-season game against a side at the same level of the pyramid and manager Mick Harvey will have been pleased to see his side come out on top.

The Stones looked full of running at the start of the match with Jermaine Beckford looking particularly lively but the makeshift Northwood defence, which included Dave Nolan as a centre-back, kept things in check, and Lee Carroll looked comfortable between the sticks.

At the other end, Peter Dean and Darren Grieves were working well together but it was Gavin Hart who shot Northwood in front before half-time when he rifled in an unstoppable drive from 25 yards into the top corner.

The Woods extended that lead soon after the break. Ryan Kirkland provided the ammunition with a cross from the left, Darren Grieves flicked on a header and Peter Dean buried a shot past 'keeper Russell Ling.

Wealdstone pulled one back almost immediately through Paul Adolphe but Darren Grieves restored the two-goal advantage on the hour with a shot that deflected past a stranded Ling.

Wealdstone were then awarded a penalty but, as he had done on Saturday against Hayes, Dean Lindsay dived the right way and pulled off a fine save to deny Ryan Harris. He got the chance to perform more heroics fifteen minutes later when the referee pointed to the spot once again. This time Jermaine Beckford just beat Lindsay's outstretched hand to make it 3-2.

But it was the Woods who finished the stronger and in the last minute, substitute Wayne Carter raced down the right and sent over a perfect cross, which was knocked in by Steve Hale.

Overall, a good session for the Woods and now they turn their attention to Saturday and the Southern League visit of Merthyr Tydfil.