Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood’s
midweek trip to the Essex coast was a fruitful one as they came from
behind to take the points at Great Wakering.
Having fallen
behind to an early goal, an Elliott Buchanan hat-trick transformed the
game to give Woods their second league win of the season away from
Chestnut Avenue.
Injuries meant a
couple of changes to the Northwood line-up. Abdul Yoki replaced Danny
Murphy on the left flank whilst Lee Holland returned to the defence in
place of Jazz Rose, James Fisher moving to left-back.
Great Wakering
immediately forced Woods onto the back-foot with their direct
approach. James Foy misdirected a free-header before Mitch Swain made
his first save of the evening as he dealt with James White’s low shot.
Having survived
the early pressure, Woods began to find their feet, the lively Michael
Gordon creating an opening for Buchanan but his shot was comfortably
saved by ‘keeper Louis Green.
But Woods recent
vulnerability to the set-piece was exposed once again as they fell
behind on 14 minutes, Foy converting from close-range after James
White had flicked on Sam Clarke’s corner.
And Northwood
went close to conceding a second following a long throw, Nikki Beale
shooting narrowly wide.
However, at the
other end, John Christian’s snap-shot flew narrowly over the host’s
crossbar.
And Christian had
a hand in Northwood’s equaliser on 38 minutes as he combined well with
the impressive Dwain Williams, Buchanan applying the finish as he beat
Green with a right-footed shot into the far corner of the net.
Woods continued
to take the game to Rovers and Green had to be at full stretch to deal
with Adrian Abramian’s attempted lob.
And the home
crowd was stunned into silence as Northwood took the lead in the final
minute of the half following another sweeping move, the ball being
played to Buchanan on the edge of the box, his delightful, left-footed
shot curling into the top corner.
The hosts
threatened immediately after the half-time break, Swain alert to Foy’s
shot before the Woods’ goal-keeper produced a fine save to tip Keith
Wilson’s free-kick over the crossbar.
However,
Northwood continued to look dangerous on the break, Abdul Yoki forcing
Green into a save.
But Green was
helpless to prevent Buchanan completing his second hat-trick of the
season on 61 minutes. Williams was the catalyst when he threaded the
ball through to Buchanan who deftly lifted the ball over the
on-rushing Green to extend Woods’ lead.
Northwood were
coping comfortably with the Great Wakering’s attempts to get back into
the game. However, the hosts were given a glimmer of hope in the 74th
minute as a uncharacteristic misjudgement from Adam Theo presented
Martin Tuohy with a simple tap in following Danny Pitts’ free-kick
into the box.
Great Wakering
were lifted by their good fortune and they proceeded to lay siege to
the Northwood goal as they looked for an equaliser.
But the Woods’
brave rearguard stood firm despite a couple of scares.
Liam O’Keefe and
Jerome Hall were introduced for Theo and Abramian for the final
minutes, and Hall went close to extending the lead in stoppage time.
Firstly a rasping drive shaved the post before Green came out on top
in a one on one situation.
And there was
still time for Hall to send a shot into the side-netting and for
Rovers’ Player-Manager Iain O’Connell squander a chance for his side
in a frantic finale, but Northwood deservedly claimed the points and
extended their unbeaten run to seven games. |
