Northwood’s 0-2 win away at North Greenford United on Tuesday had edged them that little bit closer to safety. The win moved Northwood eight points clear with a game in hand over bottom of the table Beaconsfield. This clash was a bit of a mismatch in truth, Aylesbury’s first season after promotion last campaign has been a huge success, they’re on the fringes of the play offs and were setting their sights on sneaking in there come the end of the season.

The Woods knew if Beaconsfield SYCOB failed to win at Holloways Park against Uxbridge today, then their survival would be confirmed. Gary Meakin’s side kept their first clean sheet under his tenure on Tuesday and would have been eager to continue that, in what is the first of three home games inside a week.

Both sides made a composed start, with the intention of piling on early pressure. The early exchanges were somewhat scrappy in the middle of the park. The first real breakaway fell to the visitors and with it an extremely strong penalty appeal. Northwood were caught napping and it appeared Ryan Tackley clipped the heels of the Aylesbury forward, and he duly went down. There were belligerent appeals from the Aylesbury coaching staff but the penalty appeal was waved away. Both sides struggled to make any real chances, let alone register a shot, but Northwood looked the more likely to do so. The skilful Rob Ursell was pulling the strings in the midfield carving out pass after pass and making some intelligent runs – how Northwood missed his all-round play when he left Chestnut Avenue for Cyprus.

The first real clear opening yielded the first goal – a ball was played over the top and Aaron Lansiquot chased a seemingly lost cause, Aylesbury goalkeeper Steve Smith came out and was in no man’s land, handing Lansiquot a free shot at goal – and the forward delicately chipped the ball into the empty net to continue his fine form since signing from Hillingdon Borough and in the process give Northwood an early lead. It’s now 4 goals in just 5 games since his move across Middlesex!

Aylesbury were looking for an immediate response, and were playing with an extremely high tempo, Northwood goalkeeper Derek Lewis – another addition from Borough – hadn’t had a save to make, a man deputising for the suspended Sam Styles. Lewis’ first real job was to grasp a cross under immense pressure, which he did with ultimate ease. Lewis was helped largely by the resolute Daniel Sintim on loan from Woking who was outstanding all afternoon, and was instrumental winning most of the aerial balls.

The visitors’ first real chance ended with them, a breakaway down the left caused Northwood problems and the ball was squared for Jon Douglas to divert the ball into the back of the net right on the stroke of half time – a goal which mirrored Rob Foster’s of Soham Town Rangers, two weeks earlier. One would envisage that that might be a major kick in the teeth for Northwood.

At half time Woods took off injured full back Scott Raper and threw on Aaron Silcott in the right back position. They started brightly, and created a clear opening, a ball in from the right by Aaron Lansiquot was steered goalwards by Hawkins – the captain’s toe poke was superbly saved by Steve Smith, only for the linesman to raise his flag for offside. Rob Ursell then went close with a 25 yard drive which went over the bar and into the car park. Northwood then made another substitution; Richard Worrell was replaced by James Bent. Northwood were upping the tempo once more and went close when Kevin Wynter forced a smart save from Smith.

Aylesbury were looking to turn the game back into their favour, and were extremely unlucky when a long range volley by Jack Thomson was deflected off his own player and into the arms of Lewis. The volley was goalbound and the block only worked into the favour of The Woods as in truth it cushioned the blow. James Bent then blasted over from long range – more in hope than expectation. A mere few minutes later left back Ryan Tackley intelligently evaded a couple of challenges before blasting over from outside the box. Northwood were going hammer and tongs in search for a winner. It was then Aylesbury’s turn to go close to stealing the points, when Thomson’s stinging shot was expertly tipped past the post for a corner. Both sides were upping the tempo and both defences were playing very high lines. It was a frantic last few minutes but neither side could force a winner.

The draw was definitely a fair result, as in the end neither side could get the better of one another. Aylesbury will probably return to Buckinghamshire a bit aggrieved having been denied a ‘good’ shout for a penalty. In truth, the result suits Northwood more than it does the visitors, as they lose ground on the play offs, while the Woods are now safe from a drop into the Spartan South Midlands League.

Report by MATT FORD

Photos by James Brown