Match Report
by Robin Piper

Middlesex Senior Cup holders Northwood made a successful start to the defence of their trophy after they came from behind to conquer their Conference South neighbours.

There was one change to the Woods’ line-up, Jerome Hall returning to the starting eleven as a replacement for the unfit Abdul Yoki.

Northwood began in positive fashion, Bradley Hewitt’s header testing goal-keeper John Peacock while Simieon Howell went close with a long-range shot.

Woods were creating the better openings and Peacock was called into action once again as he tipped Adrian Abramian’s snapshot over the crossbar.

However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Hewitt impeded Staforde Palmer, the latter despatching the spot-kick to give his side a 20^th minute lead.

Northwood went looking for an equaliser and they crafted a number of opportunities. The tireless Abramian went close, scooping his shot over the crossbar following a Elliott Buchanan corner whilst Hewitt headed narrowly wide from another Buchanan corner.

The visitors continued to look vulnerable at corners, a Danny Hart effort almost forcing a comical own goal.

But the Hayes & Yeading  goal was enjoying a charmed life and the visitors survived a 40^th minute penalty kick awarded after Hall was pushed in the back, Peacock saving Buchanan’s effort.

However, Buchanan had a chance to make amends in first-half stoppage time as Northwood were awarded their second penalty of the evening after Michael Barima’s handball offence, the Woods striker making no mistake this time.

Northwood came out strongly after the break as they pushed the visitors onto the back foot. Abramian had a couple of shots on goal whilst Hart and Buchanan tried their luck from the edge of the box.

Abramian was proving to be a persistent thorn in the visitors defence, Peacock producing a wonderful reflex save to keep his side on level terms.

Danny Murphy entered the fray as a 67^th minute replacement for Hall, for his first appearance following his long injury lay-off.

The hosts continued to look the more threatening and they deservedly grabbed the decisive goal on 73 minutes. Hart and Abramian combined well before the latter’s shot rebounded to Buchanan, his shot clawed back by Peacock but not before the ball had crossed the line.

The was no way back for the visitors, Northwood going close to extending their lead before the end, the cup holders deservedly booking their place in the next round where they will travel to either Wembley or Edgware Town in the quarter-final.