Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood kept
their unbeaten run going by grabbing a last-gasp equaliser at in-form
Enfield Town.
Injuries and
unavailability meant Colin Payne’s squad was down to the bare bones.
New signing Dwain Williams replaced namesake Dwane in midfield whilst
fit again Adam Theo returned to the defence in place of the suspended
Jazz Rose. There was also an enforced change in attack, Jerome Hall
replacing the injured Adrian Abramian.
Woods began
brightly and they opened the scoring on 6 minutes, Ryan Tackley’s
through ball being converted by Hall for his first league goal since
February.
Enfield looked
for a reply but long range efforts from David Bastian and Steve
Valendia failed to seriously threaten the Northwood goal.
However, Enfield
were gifted a chance to draw level from the penalty spot when Adam
Theo was harshly adjudged to have handled in the box, Ricci Crace
making no mistake to give his side parity in the 14th
minute.
The hosts were
buoyed by their good fortune and Woods’ keeper Mitch Swain had to dive
full length to divert Andy Jones’ long range effort around the post.
But Northwood
continued to carry a threat, Elliott Buchanan just failing to connect
with Tackley’s enticing cross.
And Woods should
have regained the lead as Danny Murphy found himself with only
goalkeeper Andre Foster to beat after latching onto Hall’s flick-on,
the Enfield ‘keeper being up to the challenge as he averted the
danger.
But Northwood had
to make a change as Tackley succumbed to a calf injury, Michael Gordon
making his Woods debut on the left flank with Murphy moving back to
left full-back.
Enfield looked to
capitalise as Northwood reorganised, Crace trying his luck from
distance whilst the unmarked Paul Campbell shot over at the far post.
But Woods soon
regained their rhythm, Buchanan bringing a save out of Foster with a
shot from the edge of the box.
However, the
gloss was taken off a decent first-half Northwood performance as they
conceded a stoppage time goal, Ozie Foster arriving at the far post to
head home Paul Campbell’s cross and give Enfield the lead.
Northwood needed
an early second half response but it was the hosts who threatened to
extend their lead, with Campbell and Foster both going close.
But Woods were
asking questions of their own, Williams shooting over after good work
from Buchanan before Hall brought a save out of Foster.
Northwood were
forced into a change, and Jack Bennett replaced Buchanan with ten
minutes remaining, Abdul Yoki partnering Hall in attack.
Play continued to
flow from end to end, Glenn Harvey being off target with a header for
Enfield whilst Bennett’s first time volley flew wide of the upright.
However, Woods
secured the draw that their determined performance deserved as the
game moved deep into stoppage time, James Fisher scoring his first
Northwood goal when he converted the loose ball following Yoki’s
corner. |
