Match Report
by Robin Piper
 

Northwood were successful at the Abrahams Stadium for the second time this season as they followed up their F.A. Trophy win by deservedly booking a place in the final of the County’s premier cup competition.

Woods have a very different look about them these days, and Colin Payne’s young bucks produced a mature performance bristling with verve, pace, and good football.

With injury and suspension depriving Northwood of the experienced Danny Julienne and skipper Wayne Carter, Dave Sexton partnered Dwane Williams in centre midfield. Terry Hogan teamed up with James Shipperley in central defence in the absence of the unfit Bradley Hewitt, while there was a start for Harry Hunt on the right flank.

After Woods’ ‘keeper Jaimez-Ruiz pulled off a smart second minute save to deny Dean Williams, the action switched to the other end as Northwood mounted a series of attacks. The lively Jerome Hall went close with a couple of efforts, skipper Peter Dean was denied by ‘keeper Ed Thompson, whilst Elliott Buchanan’s low cross just evaded the in-rushing Hall.

Northwood continued to create opportunities, Hall and Dean producing a neat interchange well, before the latter’s snapshot was turned around the upright by Thompson.

Wingate were struggling to make much of an impression, a long range Leon Osei effort sailing harmlessly wide, whilst a Williams shot was easy for Jaimez-Ruiz.

At the other end, Hunt and Hall had further chances to score the goal that their first-half performance deserved.  

There was a change at the break, Nick Pearce replacing Dave Sexton in midfield, but it was business as usual as the visitors threatened Woods through Hunt and Hall.

Wingate were finally stirred into action as they began to exert some pressure on the Northwood defence. Guy Helman made a strong run into the box but miscued his shot, Chris West was foiled by a flying save from Jaimez-Ruiz, whilst a Williams shot ended up in the side-netting.

The hosts continued to pin Woods back, Lee Holland producing a last ditch tackle to deny Williams, before Osei flashed a shot across the face of the goal.

Northwood made a change with fifteen minutes left on the clock. Striker Ricardo Cannon was introduced to the fray with Holland making way, Pearce slotting into right-back, with Dean dropping behind the front two.

And Woods didn’t have to wait for the elusive goal to arrive as Hunt was upended in the box by a disbelieving Steven Badu, and Buchanan made no mistake with the penalty kick to give Northwood the lead on 76 minutes.

As Northwood pushed for a second goal, Williams was not far away with a shot from the edge of the box.

However, Woods made the tie safe five minutes from time after a storming run down the right flank from Hall, whose cross found Dean, who delivered an emphatic finish.

Wingate finally found the net deep into stoppage time through a headed goal from substitute Daniel Stanton, but it was little consolation as Northwood rightfully progressed to their third Middlesex Senior Cup Final, where they await the winners of the Hayes versus Hendon tie, being played next week.