Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood’s first
visit to the Cricklefield Stadium ended in disappointment as they
relinquished the three points by conceding a late goal.
Manager Colin
Payne reshuffled his troops once more: Adrian Abramian returned to the
attack at the expense of Jerome Hall, Michael Gordon was preferred to
Abdul Yoki on the right flank, whilst Jazz Rose returned from
suspension as a replacement for the injured Ryan Tackley at left-back.
Northwood made a
positive start on the difficult playing surface, Ilford’s Paul
Southwick heading Elliott Buchanan’s in-swinging corner off the line
before Abramian’s shot rattled against the crossbar after Buchanan’s
shot was blocked.
But Woods
suffered a setback on 14 minutes as Danny Downer capitalised on some
poor defending to shoot past Mitch Swain and give Ilford the lead.
Northwood
responded well as they created a succession of chances. Buchanan and
Abramian both dragged shots wide of goal when well placed whilst Dwain
Williams saw his low shot from the edge of the box saved by Ilford
‘keeper James Marrable. Having squandered a number of chances, Woods
finally found the net five minutes before the break, Buchanan coolly
despatching the ball beyond Marrable following Danny Murphy’s neat
through-ball.
There were
chances at both ends soon after the restart, Ilford’s Joe Stoker going
close whilst Williams tested Marrable in the home goal after an
incisive Northwood move.
But Woods had to
reorganise early in the second-half as Murphy succumbed to a
recurrence of his groin problem, Yoki being his replacement on the
left flank.
Northwood were
grateful to ‘keeper Swain as he produced a smart save to foil Jay
Edward’s low drive whilst Yoki squandered a great chance to give Woods
the lead as he shot weakly following a sweeping move.
Ilford were the
next to threaten, but Adam Theo on hand to head Scott Walsh’s fierce
volley off the line following a corner.
Abramian made way
for Hall on 77 minutes as Northwood looked for the winning goal. And
Woods looked to have secured the points when they took the lead on 82
minutes: Buchanan notched his second of the afternoon as he latched
onto Bradley Hewitt’s flick-on from Yoki’s throw-in.
Lee Holland
replaced Gordon for the closing stages as Northwood looked to protect
their lead.
But it wasn’t to
be, as Ilford grabbed a deserved share of the spoils in the 87th
minute, substitute Kevin Skinner converting from close range after the
Woods defence failed to deal with Ricki Hayles’ long throw-in. |
