Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood’s
woeful run goes on after they lost the first ‘six pointer’ of the
season at home to bottom club Corby Town.
Manager Colin
Payne rang the changes following the midweek defeat at Maidenhead.
Elliott Buchanan replaced Gavin Hart on the left flank, whilst there
was a return to the attack for Lee Tunnell at the expense of Peter
Dean. Meanwhile, Danny Julienne took Dean Clark’s place on the right
side of midfield, with Max Howell moving into the right-back birth.
There were further changes in defence, the returning Perry Norman
replacing the suspended James Shipperley in the centre whilst Danny
Murphy replaced Ricky Alexander at left-back.
And Northwood
started well, playing at a good tempo and creating a number of
openings. Buchanan sent in a low cross which almost found the waiting
David Warner and Tunnell, Corby ‘keeper Darren Watts smothering the
danger at the second attempt. Julienne was the next to go close,
sending his far post header wide of the mark.
Woods continued
to ask questions of the Corby defence, Buchanan combining well with
Murphy before Watts made a double save from Warner and Tunnell.
The visitors
weathered the storm and gradually began to find some rhythm. Steve
Towers had ‘keeper Rob Bullivant scrambling across his goal with a
long range effort whilst Jamie Clarke squandered a great chance to
open the scoring after a slip from Dean Powles.
But Northwood
continued to squander chances of their own, Norman rushing his shot
after being played in by Mark Nicholls.
Rob Bullivant was
on hand to deny Kevin Byrne but he was unable to prevent Corby taking
the lead on the half-hour, Clarke rising unchallenged at the far post
to head home.
However, Woods
weren’t behind for long, Warner finding space in the box before
sending in a low ball which was converted by skipper Wayne Carter to
draw the hosts level in the 34th minute. However, Corby’s Brett Darby
left the field on a stretcher after trying to prevent the goal.
But Corby
finished the half well creating a number of chances. Clarke saw his
low shot rebound off an upright while Dominic Hallows and Steve Towers
went close.
However, the
visitors regained the lead two minutes after the restart. Bullivant
saved Clarke’s initial header but Byrne was on hand to convert the
rebound.
Corby continued
to look the more likely to add to the score-line with Woods struggling
to make an impact, the hard-working Clarke dragging his shot across
the face of goal.
Kyle Matthews and
Peter Dean were introduced for Buchanan and Warner as Northwood looked
for a way back into the game, Matthews looking particularly lively
after his long injury lay-off.
But it was Corby
who continued to threaten with Bullivant saving well from Hallows.
And they got
their reward with fifteen minutes left on the clock, Bobby White
heading home via the underside of the bar after the Woods defence
failed to deal with a long throw into the box.
Julienne made way
for Clark in the 80th minute but it wasn’t to be for
Northwood whose disappointing afternoon was made complete by Nicholls’
penalty miss after Towers handled in the box.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Lee Tunnell is crowded out on the wing Elliott Buchanan battles to get past the full-back Wayne Carter slides in for the Northwood goal... ...and celebrates with goal maker David Warner Now, what do we do with this?? Kyle Matthews tries to get between three defenders Danny Murphy takes a heavy challenge Mark Nicholls on the ball The Corby keeper collects under pressure from Elliott Buchanan
Lee Tunnell is crowded out on the wing
Photos: James Brown & Paul Evans |
