Match Report
by Robin Piper
 

Northwood made the long midweek trip to Bristol and came away with a creditable draw to take them off the bottom of the table.

Manager Colin Payne had to reshuffle his troops once again due to the absence of a number of players. On-loan Ryan Tackley partnered James Shipperley in central defence, whist Lee Holland returned to the right back slot. There was a return for striker Peter Dean after suspension whilst Elliott Buchanan started on the left flank.

Northwood started well, Buchanan testing home ‘keeper Steve Book with a couple of shots from the edge of the box.

Woods were enjoying plenty of possession  but there were a couple of openings for the hosts. Jon French saw his effort deflected over, before Christian Sylvester almost capitalised on a miscue from James Shipperley but shot wide when through on goal.

Northwood were back on the attack again, Buchanan stinging the fingers of ‘keeper Book with a first time strike after Mangotsfield failed to clear a corner.

But the hosts finished the half strongly, Jaimez-Ruiz quickly off his line to deny Sylvester.

Woods continued in a positive vein after the break, the hard-working Jerome Hall dispossessing Garry Warren in the box but he was unable to beat Book in the Mangotsfield goal.

Shipperley was the next to go close as Northwood continued to look the more threatening, his header from Buchanan’s  corner deflecting off team-mate Dean.

Hall tested Book with a low shot from distance before the striker was replaced by David Warner, making his first appearance following a long injury lay-off.

In a rare moment of danger for Woods, the impressive Tackley was on hand to deny substitute Ross Carey with a last ditch challenge.

Harry Hunt was introduced for Buchanan, who was struggling with a foot injury, Dean moving to the right flank for the final 15 minutes.

And it was Dean who created a golden opportunity for Wayne Carter to claim the points, but the Woods’ skipper was unable to beat Book with his close-range header.

Northwood survived  a couple of scares in the closing stages, substitute Chris Lane twice going close, but Woods kept a clean sheet to deservedly claim a share of the spoils.