Another heavy home defeat added to the Woods defensive woes as they took their goals against tally to fifteen in just three games over a period of a week. The squad was weakened further, with injuries ruling out skipper John Christian and defender Scott Raper, adding to a missing list which also included Kyle Matthews, Scott Orphanou, Danny Power, Jamie Lindsay and Sam Sharples.

Yet despite this, Northwood made a great start in the fourth minute when Leon Osei broke down the right and knocked in the perfect cross, which Rodney Hicks finished off with a well-controlled volley at the far post. Osei ran riot in the early stages and a similar situation arose five minutes later but with Hicks waiting expectantly at the far post, the striker chose to shoot this time and goalkeeper Richard Williams pulled off the first of many good saves.

It was a very open game, though, and Atherstone were soon making inroads themselves, leading to an equaliser after 18 minutes when Todd Perry slotted in the loose ball after a long throw caused problems in the box. After both Simieon Smith and Martin Crawford had both tested Mitch Swain in the Northwood goal in quick succession, the Woods stormed back with Anthony Page having a good strike pushed wide by Williams. From the resulting corner Murray Williamson had his shot cleared off the line by Greg Moseley.

After 25 minutes Osei broke clear again and left Moseley on the floor with some good skills, before his shot deflected wide. This time Hicks knocked in the corner which Page headed back towards goal and Wayne Jackson swept in to convert only for Williams to pull off a fine save. The visitors ‘keeper was equal to anything Northwood could throw at him, pushing another Osei strike wide and also making a good save from a Hicks free-kick, while further shots from Hicks and Williamson flashed the wrong side of the post.

The Adders started the second-half well though and Perry had already had one effort palmed away by Swain before the Woods ‘keeper got nowhere near a hanging cross which was knocked down by Smith and hooked in by Perry for his second of the game. Page missed a great chance to level things up soon after, racing onto a through-ball from Osei and beating Williams with a crisp strike that also flashed wide of the target but the visitors were not so profligate.

After 60 minutes substitute Jamie Newbold finished clinically to make it 1-3, and with Northwood sub Douglas Kisuule missing his opportunity to score with his first touch, Tyron Amory then increased the Adders lead with a cracking free-kick that Swain got nowhere near.

Williams made another good save from a Dean Wallace free-kick before Atherstone made it three goals inside 13 minutes when Smith hammered home from close-range, leaving the Woods defence in tatters. The visitors ‘keeper added to Northwood’s frustration in the remaining fifteen minutes, pushing a Jackson shot round the post and also saving from Ryan Tackley and a Page header. The Woods dominated the closing stages as Kisuule blasted an effort over the top, Josh Urquhart shot just wide after a neat exchange with Osei and Page also went close with another header.

Finally, Williams was beaten when a good ball from Hicks found Osei in space and he lifted a shot over the ‘keeper and into the net but by then it was merely a consolation for the home side.

Report by ALAN EVANS

Photos by James Brown