Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood’s
return to the Ryman League continues to be a disappointing one, after
they succumbed to their third defeat of the season at home to their
Middlesex rivals.
There were a
number of changes to the Woods’ line-up following Saturday’s defeat at
Brentwood, including a first start in a red shirt for midfielder Phil
Holder.
The opening
exchanges were fairly even, with a number of chances being created.
Skipper Dean Clark and Danny Murphy both went close for Woods, whilst
returning ‘keeper Liam Watson was on hand to deny Enfield’s Ricci
Crace and former Northwood striker Bryan Hammatt.
Woods continued
to hold their own and Jerome Hall was the next to go close as he
dragged his shot wide of the far post after a sweeping Northwood move.
However, the
visitors were looking increasingly dangerous as half-time approached.
Watson produced a full length save to divert Rudi Hall’s free-kick
past the post before Steve Velandia saw his close range shot deflected
for a corner.
But Enfield
weren’t to be denied as they broke the deadlock on 37 minutes, James
Dickie rising unchallenged to meet Hall’s corner and head powerfully
beyond Watson.
And the visitors
should have extended their lead moments later, Hammatt failing to
convert from a low cross with the goal at his mercy.
Manager Colin
Payne made a change at the break, Chris Mills replacing Holder in
central midfield.
However, it was
Enfield who continued to look the more dangerous, Paul Campbell
scooping an early chance over the bar. And Enfield’s dominance was
confirmed as they added a second goal four minutes after the restart,
Watson being left helpless as Hall sent a unstoppable free-kick into
the top corner.
Northwood were
looking increasingly forlorn as Crace almost added a third for the
visitors.
But in a rare
Northwood attack, Jermaine Hamilton got behind the Enfield defence but
he was caught in two minds as keeper Charlie Hasler smothered the
danger.
The Enfield
stopper was called into action once again as he dealt comfortably with
Clark’s free-kick moments later.
And Northwood’s
hopes were effectively ended as they conceded a third goal on 61
minutes, Richard Georgiou spotting Watson off his line and sending a
delightful lob into the far corner of the net.
Experienced
striker John Lawford entered the fray at the expense of Clark as
Woods’ looked for some consolation, and the hosts began to rally.
And the
consolation came in the shape of a first Northwood goal for Hamilton
as he expertly controlled Mills’ ball over the top before despatching
a fierce half-volley beyond Hasler in the 67th minute.
Woods’ began to
play with a renewed belief and there were further chances for Hamilton
as he shot narrowly wide, had a shot blocked and saw another effort
turned around the post by Hasler.
And Northwood
were almost gifted a bizarre goal as Hasler’s attempted clearance
rebounded off Lawford but Dickie was on hand to clear the ball off the
line.
Theo Ohene was
introduced for Lee Holland as the clock ticked down but there was to
be no reprieve for the hosts, Lawford’s wayward snap-shot being their
last chance of the evening.
In fact it was
Enfield who nearly added to their tally in the closing minutes,
substitute Andy Edmunds twice going close.
But there were to
be no further additions to the scoring, to leave Woods still looking
for their first win of the season. |
