Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood
returned to winning ways with a comfortable win over lowly Ilford.
There were a
couple changes from the team that lost in midweek to Arlesey, Elliott
Buchanan returning from injury to partner Adrian Abramian in attack
with Jermaine Hamilton making way, whilst Kyle Matthews replaced the
injured Abdul Yoki on the right flank.
And Woods got the
perfect start as they opened the scoring on four minutes. Buchanan was
the provider, sending over a delightful cross which was met first time
by Abramian for his second goal in three games.
Northwood
continued to dominate and they had chances to increase their lead.
Twice Danny Murphy sent over far post crosses and twice Matthews was
denied by ‘keeper James Marrable.
In a rare moment
of Ilford pressure Ronnie Gould lifted a shot into the arms of
Northwood ‘keeper Adam Thomson.
But Woods were
soon back on the attack with Abramian seeing his shot well, saved
whilst Simieon Howell went close with a curling effort from the edge
of the box.
There were
further chances at either end before the half-time break. Thomson was
twice called into action as he saved well from Moses Jjunju and Gould.
However,
Northwood continued to hold the upper hand, Bradley Hewitt seeing his
header from Dean Clark’s corner blocked on the line, whilst Matthews
and Buchanan threatened the Ilford goal.
Woods’ dominance
was confirmed with a goal five minutes into the second-half. Skipper
Clark played a defence-splitting ball through to Buchanan who
nonchalantly stroked the ball home for his second goal of the season.
And the contest
was effectively over two minutes later as Matthews made it 3-0,
sending a low drive into the far corner of the net after Ilford failed
to clear a Clark corner.
Woods were forced
into a change just before the hour mark, Clark succumbing to injury to
be replaced by striker Hamilton, Buchanan moving onto the left flank.
It was one-way
traffic now, with Ilford looking increasingly forlorn and Hamilton had
two good chances to increase the lead, Marrable pulling off one superb
save, whilst the hosts had a good penalty shout turned down after
Hamilton was impeded by Carl Bailey.
However, Ilford
threw themselves a lifeline on 67 minutes as James Cole beat Thomson
with a shot from outside the box following a quick break.
But the visitors
never looked like adding to their solitary strike as Northwood
regained the attacking initiative, with Matthews seeing his shot well
saved.
There was a
rearrangement of the defence when Lee Holland replaced the injured
Hewitt in the 78th minute, but Woods managed to keep the
tempo going with a strong finish to the game. Matthews tried his luck
with a long range effort whilst Hamilton should have done better after
a neat flick-on from the impressive Abramian.
And there were
further chances for Woods as Murphy and Howell went close, but there
were to be no additions to the scoreline, and Northwood could reflect
on a job well done.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
All waiting for Danny Murphy's throw The Ilford keeper gets to the ball before Elliott Buchanan Skipper Dean Clark in control Bradley Hewitt goes to ground after a challenge Simieon Howell pushes into attack Elliott Buchanan gets away from the Ilford defender Danny Murphy on the overlap
All waiting for Danny Murphy's throw
Photos: James Brown |
