Match Report
by Robin Piper
 

Relegated Northwood slipped to their fourth consecutive defeat as they came second best to Merthyr Tydfil.

James Shipperley returned to central defence in place of Bradley Hewitt, Ryan Tackley was missing through injury, whilst Dwane Williams returned to the midfield. There was also a starting place for Harry Hunt, Karl Lewis making way, while Jerome Hall had recovered sufficiently from his foot injury to replace Elliott Buchanan on the left flank.

There was only one team in it in the opening stages, and Merthyr created a host of chances. Marcus Griffiths and Craig Steins squandered great chances for the Martyrs, whilst Bill Fishenden continued good form in the Northwood goal to twice deny Steins.

In an uneven first-half Merthyr continued to dominate, Danny Murphy executing a last ditch tackle to prevent the dangerous Steins from opening the scoring.

However, the visitors finally got their reward as they grabbed the decisive goal on 32 minutes, Griffiths converting Matthew Harris’s low cross.

In a rare Northwood attack, Shipperley tried his luck from distance, his shot sailing wide of the target.

And Merthyr should have extended their lead on half-time as Steins shot wide with only Fishenden to beat.

Elliott Buchanan was introduced for James Sparrowhawk during the half-time break, Julienne moving inside as Woods looked for a way back into the game.

And Northwood began to show a bit more composure in attack, Hunt and Peter Dean with an overhead effort going close.

Woods continued to press, Hunt hooking a shot past the upright after good work from Buchanan and Dean before Hunt aimed a header into the arms of ‘keeper Ashley Morris.

At the other end, Fishenden almost presented a gift to Craig Moses, the Martyrs’ substitute unable to capitalise on the miscued clearance, his shot hitting the underside of the crossbar

Northwood continued to threaten and deserved an equaliser, Dean heading over the bar, then Hunt and Dean both had a bite at the cherry in a goal mouth scramble.

Veteran Dave Nolan replaced Hunt for the closing minutes, but it wasn’t to be for a frustrated Northwood who must be keen to finish the season, a home game against Team Bath on Saturday, with a victory to sign off from the Premier Division.