Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood got their season off to the perfect start with an
opening day win over promotion favourites Yate Town. With five players making their senior Northwood debut plus
the return of central defender Mark Dennison, it was a much changed
line-up from the team that finished last season, and they carved out a
result which suggests they are going to be a harder nut to crack this
season.
There was surprise selection in goal, Rob Bullivant making
way for Scott Ward, a mid-week signing from Crawley Town, while Wayne
Carter was given the honour of the captain’s armband.
There were chances at either end in the opening stages,
Woods’ Lee Tunnell being denied by a brave stop from keeper Tony Court
whilst at the other end, Paul Chenoweth and Darren Edwards were off
target for the visitors.
But Tunnell wasn’t to be denied his debut goal in the 8th
minute, converting the rebound after Court had parried Dennison’s shot
following a Dean Clark free-kick to the far post.
Yate responded in positive fashion, putting Northwood under
a spell off sustained pressure, Ward grabbing Lee Jefferies header at
the second attempt being the closest they came to scoring.
Woods were relying on the counter-attack and they almost
extended their lead after the impressive Dennison released Dean who
only had the keeper to beat, Court making a fine save to deny the
Northwood number 10.
Northwood were on the back foot again as Yate forced a
series of corners, Adam Mayo off target with a free-header whilst
Jefferies saw his effort cleared off the line by Gavin Hart. The Northwood goal was living a charmed life but the hosts
continued to look dangerous on the break, Dean squandering another
opportunity as he cleared both keeper and bar after good work from
Clark and Carter. And Woods finished the half well with Tunnell and Perry
Norman both going close.
Northwood began the second period in a similar vein and
they were rewarded with a second goal on 50 minutes. Tunnell was the
catalyst as he played the perfect ball inside the Yate left-back to
find Clark, who coolly slotted the ball beyond the advancing Court.
That was the signal for a period of intense Yate pressure
as Woods were unable to get hold of the ball. The visitors were
encamped in the Northwood half with Chenoweth, Adam Blakemore, and
Edwards seeing a succession of efforts blocked as Woods rearguard
warmed to the task.
In a rare Northwood attack, Dean Powles saw his long range
effort sail harmlessly wide of the upright, before the Woods’
midfielder saw another effort sail narrowly over following a neat
interchange with Dean.
However, Northwood finally made sure of the points on 68
minutes with a fine individual goal from Hart. Dean and Tunnell were
involved in the build up, releasing Hart, who shimmied through Yate
defence before slotting the ball home for Woods’ third of the
afternoon.
Carter and Tunnell made way for Elliot Buchanan and Kyle
Matthews and both tested the tiring Yate defence in the latter stages.
But that was to be the end of the scoring leaving Woods to
reflect on a highly satisfactory afternoon, their first opening day
win since an away victory at Oxford City in 2002 which kick-started
the Ryman Division One North Championship winning season.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Photos: James Brown |
