Match Report
by Robin Piper
Free-scoring Northwood enjoyed another goal bonanza as they put five
past play-off hopefuls Brentwood Town, recent signing Sean Sonner
leading the way with a hat-trick to register his first goals for the
club.
Unchanged Woods
were full of confidence following there midweek win over Bury Town,
and they effectively killed the contest as they raced into a three
goal lead inside the opening 14 minutes.
Sonner opened the
scoring on six minutes as he stole in at the near post to deftly flick
Michael Gordon’s low cross into the opposite corner.
Brentwood almost
delivered an instant reply as the lively Joao Carlos saw his shot
rebound off the post, Lee Holland being on hand to clear the danger.
Northwood
capitalised on their lucky escape by extending their lead on 13
minutes, Rodney Hicks playing the ball down the line to Sonner who
caught goalkeeper Marc Palmer unawares with a unstoppable 25-yard
strike.
And Palmer’s
afternoon was made worse a minute later as he conceded an own goal.
Abdul Yoki’s high ball into the box looped off the head of Brentwood
defender Steve King, Palmer helping the ball over his own line whilst
under pressure from Bradley Hewitt to give Northwood their third goal
of the afternoon.
Brentwood
proceeded to dominate possession for the remainder of the half with
their neat approach play but they lacked a cutting edge. Carlos and
Danny Carroll were the main threats for the visitors as they had a
number of efforts on goal, but Mitch Swain dealt comfortably with the
danger.
Having soaked up
the Brentwood pressure, the second half began with Northwood almost
adding to their lead but Sonner’s first time shot, following Yoki’s
through-ball, was wide of the target.
The game settled
into a familiar pattern with the visitors seeing most of the ball but
never really looking like finding the net, Swain comfortably gathering
shots from Riki Holmes and Carroll whilst Carlos shot over the
crossbar.
Dwane Williams
was introduced for Hicks just after the hour-mark as Woods looked to
regain some initiative in midfield but after Yoki was denied by
Palmer, the play switched back to the other end, with Holland clearing
Carroll’s shot off the line.
Brentwood
utilised full their quota of substitutes, whilst Matt Baxter was
replaced by Jerome Hall as the game moved into the later stages.
And Northwood
showed the visitors the way to goal with two further strikes. Sonner
was the catalyst once again as he crossed for Hall, whose shot was
parried by Palmer but John Christian was on hand to convert the
rebound on 79 minutes.
And Sonner made
it a memorable afternoon as he completed his hat-trick with five
minutes left on the clock, the Northwood hot-shot capitalising on
Palmer’s failure to gather Gordon’s cross-shot as he converted from
close-range.
Sonner took the
applause as he was replaced by Rico Grimm for the closing minutes, and
Brentwood’s frustrating afternoon was summed up when Michael Deane
shot against the woodwork in the final minute, whilst Northwood able
to celebrate their second home win of the week.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Matt Baxter gets stuck in Sean Sonner (almost hidden by 2) gives Woods the lead Sean Sonner's 25-yarder flies past the Brentwood keeper to put the Woods two-up Brentwood's keeper, under pressure from Bradley Hewitt, can only help the ball into his own net as Northwood go 3-0 up Abdul Yoki puts a ball into the area Bradley Hewitt heads towards goal Rodney Hicks and Matt Baxter both seem to have lost sight of the ball Matt Baxter goes pass the Brentwood defender Up for a header...Rodney Hicks Hal-trick hero San Sonner lays the ball off Matt Baxter and Rodney Hicks are both up for this aerial challenge Abdul Yoki goes down the right flank Rodney Hicks is a picture of control... John Christian knocks home the rebound after the keeper saved Jerome Hall's effort - and Northwood go 4-0 ahead.
Matt Baxter gets stuck in
Photos: James Brown |
