Match Report
by Robin Piper

Northwood’s Wembley dreams are over for another year after they went down by the odd goal in a brave performance at Kingsmeadow in this FA Trophy third qualifying round tie.

Woods’ line-up showed one change, Ryan Tackley returning to the left-back birth, with Jazz Rose moving to right full-back at the expense of Danny Brown.

And Northwood got off to a dream start, sending their considerable band of supporters delirious as they took the lead within the first minute of the match. Tackley was the catalyst as he supplied the through-ball for Elliott Buchanan, who left the Wimbledon ‘keeper Danny Knowles and his defence red-faced as he lifted the ball into far corner of the net.

The Dons looked for a response with their measured approach play but they were off-target with a couple of speculative efforts from Steve Ferguson, whilst former Wood Sam Hatton blasted over when advancing on goal after lapse in the Northwood defence.

Wimbledon continued to dominate possession with Woods looking for the quick break, the outstanding Adrian Abramian threading the ball through to Buchanan, but he miscued his shot.

The hosts continued to test the Northwood rearguard with the lively Mark De Bolla shooting over from a good position, whilst the Dons’ striker went close with a succession of long range free-kicks, keeper Mitch Swain being up to the task once again.

Having coped admirably with the Wimbledon pressure, with Bradley Hewitt and Adam Theo immense in central defence, Northwood had their moments towards the end of the half. Jazz Rose wasn’t far away with a half-volley from 25-yards, whilst Abramian found space in the box but was unable to direct his shot beyond Knowles.

However, the Dons kept up the pressure as Swain had to deal with efforts from Jake Leberl and Jason Goodliffe, whilst Hatton’s close-range shot was deflected over.

Northwood had a wonderful chance to extend their lead immediately after the restart, Simieon Howell finding Buchanan in a good position but the latter pulled his shot wide of the far post.

However, having narrowly escaped falling further behind, Wimbledon finally found a way through the Northwood defence after a sweeping, Hatton converting Ferguson’s low cross to restore parity in the 51^st minute.

But Woods proceeded to show their steely resolve, Hewitt managing to get on the end of Tackley’s free-kick into the box but was off-balance with his header before Abramian fed Danny Hart, whose low shot was saved by Knowles.

But the hosts were looking increasingly dangerous, Hart deflecting a cross past his own post whilst Swain produced to fine saves to deny Hatton and another Northwood old boy, Anthony Finn.

However, Buchanan almost capitalised as Knowles made a hash of a headed clearance as he advanced outside the box, the Dons’ defence recovering to block the shot on goal.

Northwood survived a scare when Goodliffe was off target with a diving header. But moments later, Leberl showed how it should be done when he powered home a free header from De Bolla’s corner to give his side the lead in the 67^th minute.

Wimbledon went close to putting the tie beyond Northwood but Swain pulled off a point-blank save from former Woods favourite Luke Garrard.

Jerome Hall and Danny Brown were introduced for Abdul Yoki and Brown respectively with 13 minutes left on the clock.

And Northwood continued to carry a threat, Buchanan shooting at Knowles after good work from Hart.

Dean Clark replaced Tackley for the closing minutes and Woods enjoyed their last chance of forcing a replay as the tie moved into stoppage time, Buchanan unable to get enough purchase on his shot following Brown’s through ball.

So it wasn’t to be for Colin Payne’s men but Northwood can take plenty of positives from a worthy display as they get back to the bread and butter of the Ryman League and look to improve their league position.