Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood
equalled their best ever Isthmian League score with a resounding win
which featured a brace of goals each for in-form strikers Adrian
Abramian and Elliott Buchanan.
There was a first
start in Northwood colours for recent recruit John Christian as a
replacement for Simieon Howell in the centre of midfield, whilst Abdul
Yoki returned on the left flank, with Jerome Hall reverting to the
substitutes bench.
Woods were the
first to threaten as Abramian latched onto Bradley Hewitt’s knockdown
but saw his shot on the turn deflected wide, Danny Hart testing
‘keeper Jason Willis from the resulting corner.
Waltham responded
with an attack of their own but Northwood ‘keeper Mitch Swain dealt
comfortably with Obi Nene’s shot from the edge of the box.
However, it was
Northwood who opened the scoring on 10 minutes when Abramian played
the ball into the path of Buchanan, who coolly stroked the ball beyond
Willis.
The visitors
looked for a riposte and they went close through the lively Nene as he
got beyond defender Adam Theo, but Swain was on hand once again to
avert the danger.
And it was Woods
who confirmed their superiority as they extended the lead in the 24th
minute, Abramian showing strength and determination as he found the
net at the second attempt after he latched onto Ryan Tackley’s
through-ball.
Tackley was
central to the action three minutes later as he scored Northwood’s
third goal of the afternoon, his floated free-kick evading everyone
before nestling in the bottom corner of the net.
To their credit,
Waltham kept battling and they went close to reducing the arrears as
Matt Waldron headed narrowly wide.
However,
Northwood put the seal on a productive opening half by extending the
lead on 41 minutes, Hewitt latching onto the loose ball to roll his
shot into the unguarded net after Hart’s cross had caused confusion in
the Waltham defence.
Woods went close
to heaping further misery on the visitors when Christian shot narrowly
wide following the restart.
In a rare Waltham
attack, former Peterborough striker Lloyd Opara saw his shot fly the
wrong side of the upright.
Northwood made a
couple of changes, Abdul Yoki and Adam Theo making way for Danny
Murphy and Lee Holland respectively, as the latter pair continue to
find their feet following their injury lay-offs.
And Murphy played
a part in Woods’ fifth goal on 70 minutes, his far post cross finding
Abramian, who shot past Willis for his second score of the afternoon.
Northwood
utilised their full quota of substitutes after Hewitt suffered a blow
to the head and was replaced by Hall.
Woods continued
to threaten the Waltham goal and the visitors suffered further misery
as Hall supplied Buchanan, who jinked past the last defender before
rounding Willis and firing home to complete the scoring in the 83rd
minute.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Elliott Buchanan and Adrian Abramian on the attack Danny Hart sets up another attack Jazz Rose is fully committed in the challenge Bradley Hewitt and Adrian Abramian lead the attack on the Forest goal Jazz gets up high to win this one Abdul Yoki and Adrian Abramian combine on the right flank
Elliott Buchanan and Adrian Abramian on the attack
Photos: James Brown |
