Match Report
by Robin Piper
 

Northwood slipped to their fifth home league defeat of the season after coming second best to their Oxfordshire rivals. But Woods were unlucky not to take a share of the spoils in an entertaining encounter at Chestnut Avenue.

Manager Colin Payne had to make a couple of changes after injuries were picked up in the midweek Trophy success. Veteran Dave Nolan replaced Lee Holland in the right wing-back berth, whilst Kyle Matthews took Peter Dean’s place in attack.

Banbury began the brighter, putting the Woods defence under a spell of pressure. Slack defending afforded Andy Baird far too much space but his shot flew across the face of goal before Northwood, were given a let-off when Danny Murphy appeared to bundle Banbury’s Jon Gardner over in the box, Oliver Stanbridge firing his shot into the side-netting after the referee allowed play to continue.

Woods struggled to create any real openings in the early stages, a 20 yard strike from Dwane Williams which flew narrowly wide being the nearest the hosts came to scoring.

Banbury continued to threaten, Stanbridge firing over when well placed before ‘keeper Rob Bullivant almost gave a chance to Baird after he juggled a ball into the danger area. And Bullivant was fortunate again moments later after he misjudged a corner but Matt Hayward was unable to capitalise, shooting over from close range.

However, the Woods keeper redeemed himself with a flying save to deny George Redknap, deflecting the 25-yard effort onto the bar.

Northwood gradually began to find their rhythm and created a couple of openings. Firstly Matthews saw his shot deflected over after a Nolan lay-off from Murphy’s cross before the Woods’ striker was denied by veteran ‘keeper Alan Judge after a neat move involving Lee Tunnell and Wayne Carter.

Chances were being created at both ends as the game opened up. Banbury’s Howard Forinton saw a shot rebound off the woodwork before Tunnell had a shot deflected behind after good work from Mark Nicholls. Mark Dennison then went close, his far post header from Murphy’s corner being cleared off the line, before Matthews’ long range effort was collected comfortably by Judge.

But the deadlock was finally broken by the visitors a couple of minutes before the break. The covering Nolan was dispossessed by Forinton, whose cross was met by the head of Gardner, Bullivant saving the initial effort but he was unable to prevent Baird converting the rebound.

However, Woods had an immediate chance to restore parity, Judge pulling off a fine save to deny Murphy after being put through by Nicholls.

But Northwood didn’t have to wait too long after the restart to get back on level terms. Williams tested Judge with a low shot from the edge of the box, but the former Oxford United stopper was finally beaten on 48 minutes. Tunnell began the move in midfield, sweeping the ball wide to Murphy, whose low cross was met at the far post by Nicholls, who gleefully swept the ball home.

Woods were buoyed by the goal, and proceeded to enjoy a period of domination with Nicholls becoming more influential. The Woods’ playmaker sent over a hanging cross for Williams, who was unable to keep his header down, before the latter was off target with a shot.

However, a lapse of concentration in the Woods defence cost them dear as Banbury grabbed the decisive goal against the run of play. Forinton was allowed time and space to fire in a shot which Bullivant parried but the ball fell kindly to Stuart Bridges who made no mistake to restore the visitors’ lead on 64 minutes.

Woods were immediately back on the attack. Dennison headed straight at Judge, whilst the Banbury ‘keeper was called into action once again to deny Nicholls in a one-on-one situation after Tunnell created the opening.

Northwood made a double substitution with fifteen minutes left on the clock, David Warner and Dean Clark replacing Matthews and Carter. But the action was in the Woods’ goalmouth as Bullivant grabbed Forinton’s shot at the second attempt.

Northwood’s frustrations were growing, with Dennison and Nicholls picking up cautions as the game entered the latter stages.

Harry Hunt was added to the attack for the closing minutes, with James Shipperley making way, but it wasn’t to be for Northwood, Forinton spurning a glorious chance to inflict further misery on Woods as he shot straight at Bullivant with the goal at his mercy.