Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood were left clinging to their Premier Division status after
poor finishing cost them dear at home to Clevedon. Woods squandered
a host of chances in an entertaining opening period, but were shown
the way to goal by the visitors in a dreadfully disappointing
second-half.
Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz reclaimed the goal-keeper’s jersey from Bill
Fishenden after having completed his suspension, and this was the
only change from the midweek draw against Bath City.
After Mike Symonds turned smartly in the box before aiming his shot
at Jaimez-Ruiz, Northwood created their first chance of the
afternoon. Peter Dean combined well with Jerome Hall, the ball being
played in for Danny Murphy, whose shot flew inches wide of the far
post.
Symonds was in the thick of it again for Clevedon as he was allowed
to run at the Woods’ defence but he shot wildly over from a good
position.
And Symonds might have won a penalty moments later when he was
challenged by Terry Hogan, the Clevedon striker getting a yellow
card as he offered his opinion to the referee.
Northwood continued to enjoy plenty of possession and Hall had a
couple of chances to open the scoring. Firstly he shot weakly at
‘keeper Danny Greaves after a mazy run before another jinking run
saw him shoot wide with only Greaves to beat.
After a couple of scares when Jaimez-Ruiz’s punched clearance
deflected off Matt Rawlins and almost into the Northwood net and
Geraint Bater’s deflected shot was held by the Woods’ ‘keeper, the
hosts finished the half strongly.
Dean was allowed a run at goal after Carter’s through-ball but a
heavy touch took him too near to Greaves, who averted the danger.
Carter was prominent again as he tried his luck from distance, his
shot flying wide of the target, before the Northwood skipper created
another chance for Dean who was unable to connect properly with the
low ball across the face of goal.
And the inevitable happened as profligate Northwood conceded a goal
two minutes after the restart. Pete Sheppard was the provider, his
near post corner being met by Rawlins, whose flicked header flew
into the opposite corner of the net to give Clevedon the lead.
The visitors were buoyed by the goal and Symonds’ long range shot
flew narrowly wide of the upright.
Manager Colin Payne made a change on 56 minutes as he introduced
striker Harry Hunt to the fray, Danny Julienne making way.
But it was the visitors who were looking the more likely with Woods
appearing increasingly jaded in the warm conditions, Daine O’Conner
being not far away following another corner.
And Clevedon confirmed their second-half superiority with a second
goal on 62 minutes, Symonds giving Jamiez-Ruiz no chance with a
looping header.
The visitors should have added a third against a now demoralised
Northwood, Sheppard rolling his shot wide with only Jaimez-Ruiz to
beat.
Defender Perry Norman was sacrificed for Karl Lewis with ten minutes
left on the clock, whilst Carter made way for James Sparrowhawk.
But the changes had little effect, Hunt creating a half chance for
himself before failing to get a clean contact on his shot, the only
moment of note as the game limped to a low-key conclusion.
With all their relegation rivals picking up points, this defeat
leaves Northwood three points adrift at the foot of the table and
needing a miracle to avoid the drop.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Dwane Williams wins a header
Photos: Paul Evans & James Brown |
