Match Report
by Robin Piper

Northwood upset the formbook as they recorded their first league win away from Chestnut Avenue whilst condemning second-placed Sudbury to their first home league defeat of the season. High flying Sudbury had no answer to Elliott Buchanan’s sublime second-half hat-trick, whilst the outstanding Woods’ defence stood resolute against the League’s top scoring side, a consolation goal a minute from time being their only return.

There was one change to the Northwood line-up following the midweek Trophy win over Hornchurch, Danny Brown doing a sterling job as replacement for Jazz Rose at right-back.

The opening half-hour of the match was pretty nondescript with both sides being restricted to long range efforts, Buchanan off-target for Woods whilst Sheridon Driver tried his luck for Sudbury.

However, it was Woods who finally created the first chance of the afternoon, Bradley Hewitt providing the knock down from Ryan Tackley’s free-kick into the box but Abdul Yoki was unable to direct his diving header beyond ‘keeper Nathan Munson.

Sudbury were beginning to show signs of attacking intent, Chris Bacon heading into the arms of Mitch Swain, but hard-working Northwood were mainly restricting the hosts to speculative attempts on goal, Paul Smith and Bacon well wide from distance.

Woods were immediately on the attack after the half-time break, the outstanding Adrian Abramian sending in a low cross which almost found its way to Buchanan. Northwood were forced into a change on 51 minutes, Tackley finally succumbing to the knock he picked up early in the game, Rose filling in at left-back.

But it was Woods who were looking the more dangerous outfit and they went close to opening the scoring as Buchanan headed Danny Hart’s far post cross onto the cross-bar, Munson recovering to divert Buchanan’s follow-up past the post.

At the other end, Swain was called into action as he parried Gareth Heath’s fiercely driven free-kick.
However, it was Northwood who broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, Abramian finding Buchanan on the edge of the box, his low shot squirming through the hands of Munson and rolling slowly over the line.

Sudbury were looking increasingly devoid of ideas and they made a triple substitution with fifteen minutes left on the clock as they looked to get back into the match. But after Heath went close with a free-kick and substitute Simon Head sent a header across the face of goal, the focus switched back to Buchanan.

Abramian was in the thick of it again as he headed into the path of Buchanan who toyed with the last two defenders before planting his shot beyond Munson to extend the lead on 81 minutes. And the hat-trick was completed a minute later as Hart played the ball through to Buchanan who gave Munson no chance with an emphatic finish to make the points safe for Northwood.

Sudbury finally breached the Northwood rearguard in the 89th minute as Heath converted Driver’s cross, but it was too late for the hosts.

And Woods went close to adding a fourth goal in the final minute, Simieon Howell shooting at Munson after a strong run from midfield. There was still time for there was still time for Theo Ohene to make a rare appearance as a replacement for Abramian as the clocked ticked down on a memorable afternoon for Colin Payne’s young charges.