A quick start to the game saw neither Northwood nor Bedworth create any real chance in the opening few minutes. With both sides appearing as if they were going for the opening goal as quickly as possible, possession was squandered and it was rare for either side’s striker to get a touch on the ball.

As the time ticked away, though, Bedworth managed to pin Northwood back into their own half and began pushing for the opening goal, with the home side defending valiantly. These attacks were largely unfruitful though, as there was rarely a clear cut chance. They didn’t give up, however, and continued to commit players forward, which almost worked against them as Northwood managed to launch a couple of counter attacks.

The match slowly began to open up more as Northwood pushed out of their own half and further up the pitch. While Bedworth still looked strong, it was hard to see where the first goal would come from. With the game being rather equal there was no shortage of mistakes from both teams’ players as they looked to create chances. The majority of moves were stopped by one misplaced pass, one poor touch or simply a struggling to control the ball.

It was Northwood that was the first side to complete an attacking move and they finished it in style, putting the visitors behind. Romaine Walker picked up a nice ball that had been sprayed out to him in the latter area of the field before cutting inside to the edge of the area. Walker then played a nice pass across the box to Dean Wallace, who smashed it past the helpless James Martin in the opposition goal.

This seemed to give an immediate boost to the confidence of Northwood as they poured forward again and again looking to extend their lead. Only minutes after their first goal, they did just that, with Romaine Walker receiving another nice pass from midfield, only to be taken down by James Martin in the area. The resultant penalty was hit home confidently by Wayne Jackson and it looked as though Northwood were cruising.

The home team continued to push on searching for a third goal to really give Bedworth a mountain to climb, and despite a number of chances they struggled to convert again. This gave Bedworth a chance to get back into the game and they did just that, causing Northwood some pressure of their own. After a short while this paid off with Jacob Blythe hitting home a nicely worked goal, which proved to be the start of Bedworth’s comeback.

Bedworth continued to press for the equaliser just before half time but failed to score any of the chances they created. Northwood also managed to create a few chances of their own but none of them really threatened the goalkeeper.

Following the half time break both sides came out and started the half much in the way that they had finished the last. Dean Rathbone managed to score an early goal to pull Bedworth level and dampen the spirits of the Northwood team.

With either side still likely to win the game, there were a number of hard tackles resulting in quite a few free kicks and stoppages in play. Eventually it was Bedworth who took the initiative and earned themselves a third goal. Dean Rathbone worked his way into space just outside of the Northwood area and shot at goal, bouncing off the post and into the back of the net, in what was arguably the goal of the game.

Northwood still had their fair share of chances coming, however, and it would have been wrong to write them off just yet. Once again though these chances failed to particularly trouble the goalkeeper and the team were left still looking for goals.

When the next goal came, it was again from Bedworth, but this time defender Luke Williams, who headed home a strong cross to really take the wind out of the Northwood team. Despite this setback the home side didn’t give up and continued to commit men forward although they still couldn’t find the final touches that they needed.

Bedworth also began pushing for a fifth to ensure that all three points would be going home with them but this goal also looked hard to come by with so many earlier in the match. Bedworth appeared comfortable enough to see out the game despite a spirited last five minutes from Northwood, which included a number of chances and a consolation goal from Wayne Jackson, to finalise the score at 3-4.

Report by JAMES WILLIS