Match Report
by Alan Evans
This was one of the strangest games that Northwood have been involved in for some time, dominating for much of the ninety minutes, yet going as many as four goals behind before a late rally brought an air of respectability to the scoreline.
But they got off to an awful start, conceding two almost identical goals inside the opening twenty-five minutes as pinpoint crosses from the left from Kaan Hawes saw firstly Cody McDonald and then Kevin Hawes head home unmarked from close-range. Goalkeeper Adam Thomson failed to dominate the six-yard box and Witham simply helped themselves.
In between these goals, Kyle Matthews had gone close for the Woods with a shot from 25 yards but once two goals down, Northwood moved forward with more penetration with waves of attacks. Simieon Howell flicked a header wide from a Danny Murphy cross just before the Woods pulled a goal back on 32 minutes. Adrian Abramian did well to find space and cross from the left and Elliott Buchanan slotted home at the near post.
Three minutes later, Dean Clark almost levelled with a free-kick from just outside the box which was dipping under the bar before goalkeeper Paul Daley made the first of several excellent saves to push it over for a corner. Buchanan went close soon after, and then Howell latched onto a poor ball out of defence to set up Abramian and his powerful strike was superbly pushed out by Daley and cleared to safety.
In the final minute before half-time, a long ball saw Terry Hogan concede a free-kick just outside the area and the wall then jumped straight over Andy Hughes’ sliced free-kick which allowed the ball to nestle inside the post, giving Thomson no chance.
Even then, Northwood came close to pulling one back in stoppage-time. Abramian’s header from a Matthews cross was palmed wide by Daley and from the corner, Howell centred and Matthews’ header was dropping under the bar before the ‘keeper acrobatically kept it out. The ball dropped to Abramian and he chipped the ball back across goal from an acute angle, missing the far post by no more than an inch.
If the first-half saw Northwood finish on top, the second period was more one-sided from the start. Colin Payne introduced loan signing Danny Hart for Matthews, who appeared unfortunate to be the one to make way, and he soon set up Buchanan for a good shot on the turn which Daley saved comfortably.
On the hour, the industrious Abramian created another chance for himself , firing a shot just wide of the angle of post and crossbar, and then Jazz Rose headed a cross from Clark back across goal but no-one was able to apply the required touch to finish it off. Abramian shot just wide yet again and then Murphy swung in a free-kick which eluded everyone and missed the post by inches.
It seemed only a matter of time before the Witham defence was broken again, yet they increased their lead after 77 minutes when Hogan was caught in possession and a ball from Rob King sent McDonald through on goal. Ignoring offside claims, he thumped the ball past Thomson to make it 4-1. Just three minutes later, Jamie Ricks found space for a shot which took a wicked deflection to see Witham go nap with a fifth goal.
It led to two late substitutions, with Jermaine Hamilton replacing the tiring Abramian and Abdul Yoki coming back from injury to take Clark’s place in midfield. Yoki had an immediate impact, twisting and turning in the box to slot past Daley at his near post and reduce the arrears after 86 minutes. Then he set up Howell for an easy chance that he scooped over the bar.
Hamilton had a close-range shot well saved by Daley a minute later but the ‘keeper could do nothing to stop another Hamilton strike after Yoki again made an impression inside the box to set him up.
At 5-3, time ran out for the Woods, who will need to resolve the defensive issues that arose from this game sooner rather than later if they are to start climbing the North Division table.
Photos: James Brown
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