Match Report
by Robin Piper
 

Northwood’s woeful league form continued as they suffered their third reverse in three games, losing by the single goal to the students of Bath University.

There were a number of changes to the Woods line-up. Skipper Wayne Carter and Dwane Williams returned to the midfield, Mark Nicholls missing through suspension, whilst Elliot Buchanan started on the left flank in a 4-4-2 formation.

The students were quickly into their stride as they applied some early pressure, Sean Canham seeing his firmly struck effort deflected for a corner.

And Bath were rewarded for their bright start by taking the lead on 13 minutes. Matt Locke was the provider, finding space on the left flank before sending over a cross which was met by Neil Saunders, who powered his header beyond Rob Bullivant in the Northwood goal.

The hosts continued to carry the greater threat with Woods making little impression, the confident Saunders not far away with a speculative long-range effort.

However, Northwood gradually began to find their passing boots, Carter threading a neat ball through to Williams, whose attempt to lift the ball over the on-rushing Darren Chitty was clawed away by the home ‘keeper’s finger-tips.

Chitty came to his team’s rescue once again when he produced a flying save to turn away Buchanan’s 25-yard free-kick. And the Team Bath stopper picked himself up to deny Woods from the resultant corner, turning away Yeboah’s point blank header following Buchanan’s pin-point delivery.

And Northwood’s profligacy continued, as Peter Dean squandered the best chance of the afternoon a couple of minutes before the break. Carter provided the through-ball leaving Dean one-on-one with Chitty, but the Woods’ striker’s barren run continued as he shot at the ‘keeper’s legs.

Northwood came out for the second period in determined fashion, but that man Chitty was on hand to deny them once again, getting down well to turn Williams’ first time shot around the post.

Having survived the Woods’ pressure either side of the break, the hosts began to ask questions of the Northwood defence once again, Andy Reilly shooting at Bullivant before Steve Abbott was off target with a half-volley.

And there was a scare in the Northwood defence as Mark Dennison almost conceded an own goal as he stabbed the ball past Bullivant, but it fortunately rolled beyond the upright.

David Warner was introduced to the Woods attack with fifteen minutes left on the clock, Williams making way, but the change made little impact as the students continued to dominate.

Kyle Matthews replaced Lee Tunnell for the closing stages, but Northwood never looked like breaking down the resolute home defence.

And Woods’ frustrations were made complete as Carter was dismissed six minutes from time after a few choice words led to his second yellow card of the afternoon.