Match Report
by Robin Piper
 

Northwood’s losing run was extended to four league games after they succumbed at home to their West Country visitors, despite putting in a spirited second-half display.

There were a number of changes to the Woods’ team, youngster Bill Fishenden reclaiming the goal-keeper’s jersey from Keita Karamoko, whilst Mark Dennison returned to central defence in place of the suspended James Shipperley. There was also a return for Danny Julienne on the right flank,with Joe Sparrowhawk making way.

The opening stages were fairly nondescript with neither side able to keep possession.

However, the game gradually settled down and both sides began to threaten. Wayne Carter tried his luck from distance, whilst Peter Dean was crowded out when well placed in the Gloucester box. At the other end, Fishenden took no chances as he turned Jamie Reid’s shot around the upright.

However, the visitors capitalised on some slack marking to take the lead on 17 minutes. Makeshift defender Lyndon Tomkins showed his attacking credentials as he latched onto Alex Sykes’ cross to head the ball into the far corner of the net.

And Gloucester went close to adding a second minutes later as Sykes’ fiercely struck free-kick flew narrowly over.

Northwood were struggling to create any clear-cut chances although the hard-working Jerome Hall headed into the arms of Gloucester ‘keeper Matt Bath after a game of ping-pong in the visitors’ box.

But Gloucester continued to look dangerous on the break, Fishenden being called into action once again as he tipped Sykes’ speculative effort over the cross-bar.

However, Woods’ finished the half strongly and were unlucky not to go into the half-time break on level terms. Firstly Hall was denied by what looked suspiciously like handball as the visiting defence blocked his close-range effort after a sweeping move involving Carter and Peter Dean.

Dean was involved again as he latched onto Bradley Hewitt’s knockdown from Elloitt Buchanan’s far-post cross, the Woods’ striker scooping the ball over with the goal at his mercy.

However, Northwood survived a scare as Dennison made a last ditch tackle to deny Reid a quick breakaway goal.

The second-half was only three minutes old when Woods’ task became even harder as they conceded another soft goal. Jimmy Cox managed to get beyond the defence before squaring the ball to Sykes who made no mistake to give Gloucester a two-goal lead.

Northwood responded well and they went on to enjoy their best spell of the game.

Buchanan and Dennison went close whilst Dean was working himself into good positions but as so often this season, there was no end product.

However, Hall had a wonderful chance to reduce the deficit as he was played in by Julienne, the Woods’ striker delaying his shot sufficiently for the Gloucester defence to clear the danger.

Gloucester continued to soak up the Northwood pressure whilst looking dangerous on the break, Reid and Paul Stonehouse going close whilst Fishenden denied Cox.

James Hamsher and Lee Holland were introduced for Buchanan and Williams respectively, but the hosts never really looked like breaking down a stubborn Gloucester defence, Nolan’s shot being tipped over by Bath, the closest they came to scoring.

Sparrowhawk made a late appearance in place of Nolan but it wasn’t to be for Northwood, who now find themselves three points adrift at the foot of the table after this latest reverse.