Match Report
by Robin Piper

Northwood marked their return to the ranks of the Ryman League with a disappointing defeat in the season’s opener at Chestnut Avenue.

Following a summer of change, Woods’ squad featured eight players who were hoping to make their full debut for the club against a Canvey outfit who just finished outside the play-offs last season.

The opening exchanges were fairly even, with both goalkeepers getting a feel of the ball: Elliott Buchanan tested visiting custodian Ricky Wiseman with a first time shot, whilst the Gulls’ Ryan Edgar saw his shot turned around the post by Woods’ keeper Ashley Harris. There was also an early chance for Canvey’s Danny Curran but he failed to connect when well placed.

Northwood had a solid look about them with the new central defensive pairing of Bradley Hewitt and Adam Theo striking up a good understanding. However, Woods suffered a scare as Ian Luck was almost presented with a chance after Harris failed to collect cleanly.

Northwood were being restricted to long range efforts, Dean Clark and Buchanan off target with speculative attempts on goal.

Skipper Clark was involved once again as he threaded a through ball into the path of striker John Lawford, but Wiseman was quickly off his line to smother the danger.

But Canvey gradually began to exert some sustained pressure on Northwood. Harris produced a fine point blank save to deny Nicky Rugg after the Gulls’ striker got in behind the home defence, whilst Edgar had a close range shot deflected wide.

The visitors continued to press for the opening goal, Luck seeing his snapshot rattle the crossbar, Leon Gordon unable to convert the rebound.

However, Northwood had their moments as the first half drew to a close. Wiseman saved bravely at the feet of the overlapping Danny Murphy after good work from Adam Cornell. And the Woods’ front man was in the thick of it once again as he tried to lift his shot over the advancing Wiseman after Danny Brown created the opening.

Northwood began the second period in a positive fashion; Buchanan created space for himself before sending a 25-yard drive narrowly wide of the upright before Clark tried his luck from a similar distance with the same result.

Buchanan was getting increasingly involved in the play, and Wiseman coped comfortably with his long range free-kick.

However, the deadlock was finally broken on the hour mark after Lee Holland’s clumsy challenge on Canvey’s Curran resulted in the visitors being awarded a penalty, Craig Davidson making no mistake as he drove the spot kick unerringly into the bottom corner of the net.

Northwood had a wonderful chance to restore parity as Holland’s free-kick into the box fell to Dwane Williams, but the midfielder lifted the ball over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

Woods made a change on 69 minutes, Holland making way for Simieon Howell who slipped into midfield with Brown moving to right-back.

And moments later the hosts came agonisingly close again as Clark’s fiercely driven free-kick rattled the crossbar, Hewitt unable to convert the loose ball.

Chris Mills was introduced for the injured Williams, whilst Jerome Hall replaced Lawford in attack as Woods continued to search for the elusive goal.

But the action was down the other end as Dave Kreyling directed his free header into the arms of Harris.

But Canvey weren’t to be denied and they made sure of the points with a second goal on 81 minutes, Northwood failing to deal with Andrew West’s free-kick into the danger area, which was touched home by experienced defender Colin Wall.

Woods continued to search for a consolation, but a speculative drive from Mills which was gathered by Wiseman the nearest they came to scoring.

And the seal was put on Northwood’s disappointing afternoon as they finished the game with ten men after Cornell left the field with a leg injury following an over zealous challenge from goal scorer Wall.

PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)

Dwane Williams in the heart of midfield

John Lawford has a chase on...

...it's a bit closer here!

Adam Cornell enjoyed an impressive debut

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Dwane Williams in the heart of midfield

Photos: James Brown