Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood made it third time lucky as they won the Middlesex Senior
Cup for the first time, having twice before fallen at the final
hurdle, beating Conference South outfit Hayes in their own
back-yard.
Woods deservedly lifted the silverware as Colin Payne’s youngsters
kept their composure in a tense penalty shoot-out following an
entertaining match, Jerome Hall putting away the winning spot-kick
after ‘keeper Bill Fishenden had denied Adam Logie, whilst
Stafforde Palmer also missed the target for Hayes.
Chances were at a premium in the early stages as players struggled
to get to grips with the rock hard playing surface, both sides being
restricted to long range efforts, Hayes’ Liam Feeney and former
Missioner Dwane Williams both off target.
However, Hayes began to look threatening with the speedy Feeney
making headway down the left flank. Twice he sent over dangerous
crosses from which Rhys Price shot wide before Michael Bartley
headed into the arms of Fishenden.
Having struggled to create any openings, Woods finally tested Hayes
‘keeper Adam Thomson, Peter Dean finding space on the edge of the
box before getting his shot in on the Missioners’ goal.
Northwood were beginning to find their range and Harry Hunt was the
next to go close, but was unable to keep his shot down after running
at the Hayes defence.
But Hayes had a couple of gilt-edged opportunities to take the lead
shortly before the half-time break, Bartley miscuing with the goal
at his mercy whilst Feeney blasted over after cutting into the box.
However, the deadlock was broken five minutes after the restart.
Price provided the the through ball for Bartley, who was bravely
denied by the impressive Fishenden, but the ball ran loose to Palmer
who shot into the far corner of the net to give Hayes the lead.
Northwood responded well, the hard working Danny Murphy almost
reaching Hunt with a dangerous cross into the box before the latter
was narrowly over with a snapshot.
The lively Hall was becoming increasingly influential for Northwood,
one mazy run ending with a 30-yard strike that was well held by
Thomson.
And Hall was in the mix once again when he saw his deflected shot
well saved by Thomson at the foot of the post.
Northwood continued to take the game to Hayes as they sought the
equaliser, Hall seeing another effort fall into the arms of Thomson.
However, there was a scare at the other end, Bartley hooking his
shot beyond Fishenden but Lee Holland was on hand to clear the
danger.
Northwood made a change on 77 minutes, Hunt making way for Karl
Lewis.
And Woods were immediately back in the match as Williams latched
onto Wayne Carter’s free-kick into the box to send a header past the
poorly positioned Thomson to give Northwood a 78th minute
equaliser.
And the same combination threatened again moments later, Thomson
dealing with the situation on this occasion.
Woods were playing with renewed energy and looking the more likely
to grab the winner, and it almost came courtesy of the head of Hayes
substitute Daniel Dyer who cleared Dean’s cross over his own
crossbar.
However, the scores remained level and the match moved into
extra-time.
Northwood looked out on their feet in the first period as Hayes
enjoyed the majority of possession, Bartley heading wide from
Feeney’s cross, although Dean did test Thomson with a 25-yard shot.
But Woods found a reserve of energy for the second period of
extra-time and they almost snatched the victory. Murphy was twice
denied by Thomson, who firstly cleared a goal-bound in-swinging
corner before the Hayes stopper pulled off a splendid near-post save
to deflect a last minute free-kick.
And so the final was to be decided by a penalty shoot-out, Northwood
executing their penalties with aplomb through Carter, Murphy, Terry
Hogan and Hall whilst Fishenden performed heroics to ensure Woods
were the deserved winners of the Middlesex Senior Cup. |
