Match Report
by Robin Piper
 

Northwood earned the right to play host to Histon in the next round after a convincing win over their Hampshire rivals.

But it wasn’t plain sailing for Woods, who fell behind to an early goal and also had to play the whole of the second-half with ten men after the unfortunate Mark Dennison received two yellow cards.

There were a number of changes to the Northwood line-up. Lee Tunnell replaced David Warner in attack after completing his suspension, whilst defender James Shipperley came in for an unwell Perry Norman. There was also a change between the sticks with Rob Bullivant coming in for an unfit Liam Watson.

And after neither side could record a single goal in Saturday’s game, the hosts took the lead as early as the 4th minute. Dennison conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box and Ian Mancey made no mistake with an unstoppable strike into the top corner of the net.

However, Woods posted the perfect riposte with two goals in as many minutes. Firstly Yiadom Yeboah made the most of Mark Nicholls’ perfectly delivered corner to head home at the far post on 7 minutes. A minute later Dwane Williams beat Saturday’s hero, Winchester ‘keeper Dave Hook, with a fine strike from 20 yards after the hosts failed to clear a Nicholls free-kick into the box.

Woods continued to press against their visibly shaken opponents. Dennison was close to converting after being set up by Nicholls whilst Williams appeared to be bundled over in the box, the referee waving away the penalty appeals.

At the other end, Winchester created a couple of half-chances, Mancey heading wide before Mark Gamble’s shot was off-target.

But Northwood’s dominance was confirmed as they effectively ended the contest with a third goal on 28 minutes, Shipperley heading home at the far post following Danny Murphy’s pin-point free-kick.

And Woods threatened to run riot in a strong finish to the half. Williams and Nicholls were denied by ‘keeper Hook, whilst Wayne Carter went close from 25 yards. And Tunnell spurned a great chance but he handled the ball as he shaped to convert from close-range following good work from Nicholls.

But the first period closed on a negative note for Northwood as Dennison received his marching orders for his second yellow card of the evening.

Woods retook to the field with a four man defence, Peter Dean dropping back to the right side of midfield. And after they suffered an early scare, the lively James Musselwhite dragging a shot across the face of goal after a mistake from Shipperley, Northwood relieved the pressure as they extended their lead on 54 minutes. Murphy was the catalyst, beginning and finishing the move, combining well with Tunnell before his deflected right foot shot crept in at the far post.

To Winchester’s credit they refused to throw in the towel with Musselwhite twice rattling the woodwork before being denied by Bullivant.

Bradley Hewitt and Kyle Matthews were introduced for Lee Holland and Lee Tunnell as the game moved into the latter stages.

But the hosts gradually ran out of ideas as to how to break down a stubborn Northwood, Dean Clark replacing Carter for the closing minutes.

And after Winchester’s Sean Thurgood sent a shot wide of the upright, the whistle sounded on a fine Northwood win, enabling them to progress to the final qualifying round whilst also pocketing some vital prize money.