Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood made it
two wins in a week with a superb second-half performance to ensure a
happy journey home after their sojourn to mid-Devon.
Manager Colin
Payne was forced into a reshuffle following the midweek win over
Hitchin, Terry Hogan moving to right-back in the absence of Lee
Holland, Bradley Hewitt – who was a rock in central defence –
returning after his injury lay-off.
In a swirling
wind, Woods struggled to make an impression in the early stages,
Tiverton creating a host of chances. The lively Dean Stamp had a
couple of opportunities to open the scoring, firstly being denied by
the impressive Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz, before shooting wide when well
placed.
Jaimez-Ruiz was
being kept busy as Tiverton continued to test the Northwood rearguard,
James Mudge the next to be foiled by the Venezuelan stopper whilst
Stamp and Chris Holloway were also left frustrated.
Tivvy continued
to dominate proceedings, with Mike Booth and Mudge going close.
Having weathered
the storm, Peter Dean missed a great chance to give Woods the lead
against the run of play, volleying over from close range after James
Shipperley headed Wayne Carter’s far post free-kick back into the
danger area.
However,
normality resumed as Tiverton were back on the offensive, but they
could find no way past Jaimez-Ruiz, who pulled off a smart save to
deny Stamp once again.
Northwood were
forced into a change at the break, Shipperley finally succumbing to
his groin injury, and substitute Nick Pearce slotted in at right-back,
with Hogan moving into the centre of defence.
After Woods had
soaked up further Tiverton pressure immediately after the restart,
they gradually began to make an impression at the other end.
And it was
Northwood who opened the scoring with a well worked goal on 56
minutes. The impressive Damon Ming was the instigator, getting to the
by-line before sending over a superb cross, which was headed home by
Carter.
However, Tiverton
almost posted an immediate reply as Holloway saw his shot fly narrowly
past the upright.
But Woods were
looking increasingly dangerous, with Ming continuing to test Tiverton
with his darting runs.
And it was Ming
who turned provider once again as Northwood extended their lead after
65 minutes, shimmying into the box before squaring the ball to Harry
Hunt, who bundled the ball over the line for his second goal of the
week.
Unfortunately
Hunt injured himself whilst converting the goal and he was replaced by
Jerome Hall for the final half-hour.
Northwood
continued to take the game to the hosts as they pressed for a third
goal, Hewitt almost beating Tivvy ‘keeper Danny Barker after the hosts
failed to clear a free-kick into the box.
Elliott Buchanan
was the next to threaten the hosts goal, his shot flying wide of the
far post after good work from Carter.
Tiverton were
growing increasingly irked at their inability to get back into the
match and their frustrations were all too obvious as Holloway received
a red card seven minutes from time for a crude challenge on substitute
Joe Sparrowhawk who was on the pitch as a replacement for Carter.
The sending-off
was the final nail in the Tiverton coffin, the hosts never looking
like breeching the superb Northwood defence, enabling Woods to
celebrate a fine win which takes them off the foot of the table.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Harry Hunt shoots for goal Elliott Buchanan on the run Peter Dean shields the ball
Harry Hunt shoots for goal
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