FIRST TEAM MATCH REPORTS 2008-09
Arlesey Town 1 Northwood 1 |
5th August 2008 |
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Match Report
by Alan Evans
The Woods maintained their pre-season form with a stylish performance on a wet night in South Bedfordshire.
With Lee Holland, Ryan Tackley and Richard Orlu missing from defensive duties it was an untried back-four of Danny Brown, Matt Plaskett, Joe Cowen and Gary Edwards that made the starting line-up, but the early pressure came from Northwood.
In the very first minute a run from Sean Sonner led to Adrian Abramian turning his marker and hitting a shot which goalkeeper Martin Peat pushed away. The rebound came back to the Woods striker but he blasted a left-foot shot over the top.
A typical run from Michael Gordon after eight minutes saw him race through and play a good ball out to Abramian on the left. His cross was whipped in and Sonner was inches away from diverting the ball past Peat.
Then came a setback just three minutes later, as a cross came over from the left and found Richard Pringle unmarked to score at the far post.
It didn't stop Northwood pushing forward and they came close again when a cross from Jack Bennett picked out Sonner in the box but this time his chested down first touch let him down with that ball speeding too quickly to the keeper.
Gradually the pace settled down and Arlesey finished the half slightly on top but failed to test Mitch Swain in goal as a Matt Clark volley and a flicked header from Ryan Francois both went wide.
The Woods began the second half well, with the impressive Bennett knocking in a cross which Abramian steered wide of the near post.
Bennett and Edwards were then withdrawn and replaced by Danny Murphy and Andre Delisser, while Terry Davies replaced the hard-working Abramian up front.
After 64 minutes, Gordon flashed a shot across the face of the goal after beating his marker, and soon after a short corner saw Brown swing the ball in and Cowan head over unmarked in front of goal.
With twenty minutes remaining, Bradley Hewitt came on for a run-out after injury and Aryan Taj, who has been training with Barnet, was also introduced. Alec Gediking and Anthony Page made it into the fray three minutes later, and after 76 minutes, the Woods conjured up an equaliser.
It was a fine goal, with Gordon doing some damage on the right and teeing up Davies for a cross which was met by a superb volley at the far post by youngster Taj, which whistled past the keeper and had the net bulging.
Young 'keeper Mark Britt replaced Swain in goal for the final ten minutes but he was untroubled and the Woods were happy with the result.
