Match Report
by Robin Piper

Northwood suffered their first home league reverse since late August when they went down by the solitary goal to second-placed Sudbury.

Woods welcomed back Bradley Hewitt, John Christian and Matt Baxter as they looked to do the ‘double’ over their Suffolk visitors.

Both sides had chances to open the scoring in the early stages, Baxter testing Sudbury goalkeeper Nathan Munson with a flicked header, whilst Stuart Boardley blazed wide when well placed.

The first period continued to be evenly contested but clear-cut chances were at a premium, although Jerome Hall fired a first-time shot over the bar whilst Mitch Swain saved bravely at the feet of Sudbury’s Gareth Heath.

The second half was only five minutes old when the visitors grabbed the decisive goal, Heath heading home from Matty Clements’ cross.

And Sudbury had a golden opportunity to increase their lead but James Rowe was off target after he was afforded a free shot on goal.

Woods made a change just before the hour mark, Dwane Williams making way for Lee Holland, which allowed Christian to take up his customary place in midfield.

And Christian threatened to make a mark for Northwood but his under-hit shot was easily gathered by Munson.

Woods were dominating possession with Sudbury happy to sit on their slender lead but the hosts lacked the cutting edge required to break down the stubborn visitors’ defence.

Bradley Hewitt went close with a couple of headers whilst Abdul Yoki forced Munson into a flying save.
And Yoki spurned a gilt-edged chance to restore parity when he was sent clear by Hall but he delayed his shot sufficiently to be dispossessed by a last-ditch tackle.

There were further chances for Woods as Hewitt sent another header narrowly wide following Yoki’s corner, whilst Baxter tried his luck with a bicycle kick.

But it was the visitors who went closest to adding to the scoreline in the latter stages, Heath rolling his shot past Swain but wide of the upright before Rowe’s attempted lob found the top of the net.

However, there was to be no further scoring and unlucky Northwood were left to reflect on a rare home league defeat.

PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)

Matt Baxter on the edge of the Sudbury box

Loan man Matt Baxter in a aerial challenge

Sudbury defender just gets to the ball before Jerome Hall

Sudbury's 6 gets up highest this time

Matt Baxter has the defender going the other way!

Dwane Williams stretches into a tackle

Jerome Hall attempts to control the ball with his backside

Matt Baxter was closely marked throughout the game

Woods attack the Sudbury goal - but there are six defenders and just Jerome (almost hiding)

Jerome Hall gets up to this one

Danny Murphy goes in to challenge the Sudbury player sitting on the ball!

Matt Baxter is in a race for the ball

Abdul Yoki tries to evade the Sudbury player

Can Jerome keep the ball in?

Matt Baxter just outside the area again

All queueing up as Danny Murphy's corner comes in

The closing stages, and Sudbury's keeper makes a flying save to retain his side's lead

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Matt Baxter on the edge of the Sudbury box

Photos: James Brown