Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood fell at
the F.A. Cup's first hurdle as they succumbed to two late goals in the
local clash at Earlsmead.
And it was a
familiar story for Woods as they finished the game with ten men. But
it was injury rather than red cards that counted against them, Dean
Powles requiring a precautionary trip to hospital after colliding with
a post, whilst ‘keeper Rob Bullivant left the field late on with a leg
injury.
Injuries and
suspensions meant manager Colin Payne had to reshuffle his troops.
James Shipperley and Powles formed an unfamiliar central defensive
partnership in the absence of Mark Dennison and Perry Norman, whilst
youngster Elliott Buchanan made his first start on the left flank.
There was also a change in attack, midweek signing Mark Nicholls,
returning to the club from Hayes, partnering Lee Tunnell in attack in
place of the suspended Dean Clark.
Northwood had
some defending to do in the early stages as Elliot Onochie had a
couple of half chances. Onochie was denied at the near post following
Abby Nsubuga’s low cross, before he almost capitalised on hesitation
in the visiting defence.
Woods gradually
found their feet and began to play some confident football. Dean went
close with a flicked header following Buchanan’s corner whilst Tunnell
was denied by ‘keeper Kieran Jimmy after he combined well with
Nicholls.
Borough tried
their luck from distance, Nsubuga and Albert Adomah seeing their
efforts fly wide of the target, but it was Woods who were asking the
more serious questions. Nicholls had a shot turned round the post by
Jimmy after Dean’s knockdown before the latter was denied by the
Borough ‘keeper.
Northwood’s
rhythm was interrupted after Powles had to leave the field on the half
hour. The makeshift centre back suffered a nasty head injury as he
tried to get on the end of a cross, but his replacement Aaron Coldman
made an assured debut.
However, Woods
regained their composure with a confident finish to the half, Nicholls
heading over from Max Howell’s cross before the former saw his volley
deflected after being teed up by Dean.
Northwood were
forced onto the back foot early in the second period. Former Wood
James Bent was off target with a header whilst Onochie caused panic
with a mazy run into the box.
Borough continued
to hold the upper hand as Bullivant was called upon to save from
Nsubuga while Onochie saw his free-kick from the edge of the box
deflect off the upright.
However, in a
rare Northwood attack Buchanan had a good chance to break the
deadlock, but his shot cleared the bar following a sweeping move
involving Tunnell and Nicholls.
Woods gradually
lost their way and there was a distinctly laboured look about their
performance.
Gavin Hart
replaced the tiring Wayne Carter with fifteen minutes left on the
clock, but it was the hosts who made the crucial breakthrough.
Northwood were slow to close down Adomah who let fly from distance,
his shot curling beyond Bullivant to give Borough the lead on 79
minutes.
However,
Northwood almost posted an immediate reply but Danny Julienne’s shot
rebounded off the post.
And the hosts
made the tie safe six minutes from time when Onochie applied a smart
finish following Woods’ failure to clear a throw-on into the box.
Leon Callender
was introduced for Buchanan but there was to be no reprieve for
Northwood, whose unhappy afternoon was made complete with the injury
to Bullivant as he tried to clear a loose ball, Coldman donning the
gloves for the closing minutes.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Elliott Buchanan fires in a cross Lee Tunnell has a crack at goal Mark Nicholls in an aerial battle Dean Powles will play no more part in this game Pressure on the Harrow keeper Harrow's goalkeeper in the thick of the action Wayne Carter puts pressure on the home goal Peter Dean on the offensive Skipper Carts has an effort from the edge of the box
Elliott Buchanan fires in a cross
Photos: James Brown |
