Match Report
by Robin Piper
 

Northwood’s woes continued after they succumbed to their fourth straight defeat and once again finished the game with ten men after the late sending-off of Danny Julienne.

Manager Colin Payne made a couple of changes as Woods looked to get back to winning ways. Julienne made his first start of the season in midfield following his return to fitness, Dean Powles moving to right-back, with Gavin Hart reverting to the left flank at the expense of James Hamsher, whilst Danny Murphy made his first start at left-back in place of Ricky Alexander.

And Woods started the game brightly as the crowd were treated to an entertaining first half with plenty of chances at either end.

Lee Tunnell had an early chance after he was played in by Powles, but his low shot on the turn was deflected away by the feet of visiting ‘keeper Steve Book, the first of many fine saves.

At the other end, Rob Bullivant dealt comfortably with an attempted chip from Chris Lane before Gary Warren headed straight at the Northwood ‘keeper.

Peter Dean was the next to threaten the visitors’ goal after good work from Dean Clark, but the Woods striker’s weak shot failed to trouble Book.

The play continued to flow from end to end in a very open first half. Tunnell and Clark were both denied by Book from close range whilst Bullivant was swiftly off his line to smother Rob Claridge’s shot before the two clashed again, the Woods’ keeper tipping a 25-yard strike over the crossbar.

Northwood’s best chance of the opening period fell to Dean who should have scored after being set up by Clark, but Book was on hand once again to avert the danger.

However, Mangotsfield finished the half strongly. The lively Aaron Cornwall was at the heart of most of the action as he tried his luck with a series of long- range efforts.

And Claridge was presented with a golden opportunity after Perry Norman had gifted him the ball in the box but the Mangotsfield striker mishit his shot with the goal at his mercy.

The keepers continued to hold the upper hand as half-time approached, Book turning a Clark snapshot round the post, whilst Bullivant was on hand to deny Ollie Price and Cornwall.

Northwood created a couple of openings early in the second period, Dean heading inches wide from Murphy’s hanging cross to the far post.

However, the deadlock was finally broken by Mangotsfield when Cornwall scored the elusive goal on 56 minutes. Claridge was twice denied by Bullivant but he recovered to play the ball across to the unmarked Cornwall, whose shot evaded the Northwood cover on the line.

Mangotsfield threatened to extend their lead as Chris Lane embarked on a powerful run at the Woods’ defence before unleashing a shot straight at Bullivant.

However, Northwood had a gilt-edged opportunity to restore parity with the best chance of the afternoon. Tunnell got in behind the Mangotsfield defence, his low cross being missed by Clark but arriving at the feet of Hart, inches from goal, his snatched shot ending up in the side-netting.

Northwood proceeded to make series of substitutions as they looked to mend their profligate ways. Leon Callender, Elliott Buchanan and Max Howell were all introduced to the fray but the hosts never looked like getting back into the game.

Northwood’s frustration was growing, with Julienne increasingly testing the patience of the referee, having already been shown a yellow card. And the Woods’ midfielder finally committed one wild challenge too many, and he received his second booking of the afternoon

PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)

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Photos: James Brown