The Woods bowed out of the FA Cup in dramatic circumstances, ultimately spurning the chance of a replay with a missed penalty in the closing stages. Mark Barnham made plenty of changes to the side that had drawn at Barton Rovers a week earlier with Mitch Swain, Rodney Hicks, Murray Williamson, Anthony Page and Scott Orphanou all returning to the starting line-up.

It was the first meeting between the two sides since London Spartan League days back in 1992 but there was still plenty of local rivalry as Barnham was returning to his former club and both sides included players that had played for both teams over the years.

Northwood started strongly with Orphanou winning an early corner after a pacy run and then Hicks raced into the box but played a square ball out of the reach of Orphanou when a shot might have been the better option. The same two players should have perhaps combined for a goal after 13 minutes as Orphanou ran onto a long ball and with Hicks unmarked to his left, chose to shoot but it was straight at goalkeeper Babucarr Jallow who held on comfortably.

Three minutes later a cross from Aaron Cato picked out Page at the far post and his header lifted just inches over the bar. It has been all one-way up until now but Ricky Pither showed a strikers instinct with a snapshot that crashed back off the bar after 18 minutes and Michael Murray hit a typical long-range effort with plenty of power but straight at Swain as the home side began to rally.

But it was only a brief respite as another good run and shot from Hicks, enjoying his first start of the season, was pushed out by Jallow and Page volleyed the loose ball well over the bar. The opening goal followed after 25 minutes as Hicks played the ball forward, Page flicked it on and Orphanou was there to knock the ball home.

Once a goal down, North Greenford picked up the pace a little and started to look for a way back. Garry Senior got on the end of a cross and was unlucky to see his header hit the crossbar and then they were gifted the chance to level the scores when the Referee awarded a penalty during a scramble in the goalmouth. Michael Murray stepped up to take it but Swain was equal to it, diving to his left to keep the ball out. As the half drew to a close, the home side lost the influential Murray to a knee injury after a challenge which saw Williamson pick up a yellow card.

If the first penalty award to North Greenford was a gift, the second, just ninety seconds into the second-half, was incomprehensible. Josh Urquhart headed a long ball away despite Pither backing into him and with no hint of any claims; the Referee once again concluded there had been some form of foul challenge and gave another spot-kick. This time former Wood, Senior made no mistake from twelve yards and it was game on once again.

The Woods showed no signs of raising their game as the second-half progressed and it was the Blues who went close when Senior broke through the defensive ranks but Swain was out well to save his shot with his legs.

Substitutions were made as Northwood tried to revive their fortunes but without the desired effect and it was replacements by North Greenford that made the impact. Swain was well-placed to make a good stop to deny sub David Lawrence but after 85 minutes Lawrence played the ball across the box to Pither who laid it into space and another substitute, debutant Danny Tilbury managed to squeeze the ball in despite Ryan Tackley’s challenge.

It needed a quick response if the Woods were to stay in the FA Cup for another year and it came when a corner found its way to Leon Osei and he hit a powerful shot that was destined for the back of the net until Nick Turner dived across and punched it away. This would have been fine if he was the goalkeeper but as a central defender the only result could be a red card and a penalty. It was poor sportsmanship and more poor refereeing that meant there was an incredible four minute gap between the handball and the spot-kick finally being taken as Turner eventually picked himself up off the pitch from his prone position and slowly walked towards the dressing-room. The pressure was on Orphanou as he stepped up for the vital kick and though he sent the ‘keeper the wrong way, the ball hit the other post and rebounded to safety.

Osei had a late effort which flew over the bar but the home side held on to their victory and a place in the Second Qualifying Round.  

Report by ALAN EVANS

Photos by James Brown