Match Report
by Robin Piper
Top of the table
Northwood had to settle for a point as they played out a goalless draw
with fourth placed Aveley.
There was one
change to the Woods’ line-up, Richard Orlu returning to central
defence in place of the unavailable Joe Cowen.
Both sides
struggled to find their rhythm in a scrappy opening to the game,
although Northwood keeper Mitch Swain had to be on his mettle to block
Petrit Elbi’s first minute effort, whilst Woods’ Michael Gordon had a
couple of jinking runs but was unable to find the target.
It was Aveley who
enjoyed the better of the first half chances, with Bradley Barnes
being the main provider. Joao Carlos had a close range shot charged
down by Danny Murphy, whilst Sean Francis saw his near post header
flash narrowly wide of the upright.
The visitors
continued to look the more dangerous as Elbi had a shot blocked before
Barnes sent the loose ball into the arms of Swain.
However, the
Northwood defence, superbly marshalled by Bradley Hewitt, managed to
resist the Aveley pressure and Woods finished the half well, with Leon
Nelson almost getting on the end of a Ryan Tackley cross whilst Terry
Davies tried his luck from distance but his shot was wide of the mark.
Northwood began
the second half in a similar vein but Nelson and Gordon were unable to
apply the finish to slick moves, whilst Murphy and John Christian went
close with a couple of long-range efforts.
At the other end,
Aveley’s Christian Wheeler had a couple of opportunities but he failed
to seriously test Swain in the Northwood goal.
Woods gradually
began to gain the upper hand, with Murphy making a succession of
surging runs up the left flank but there was nobody to apply the
finish touch to his dangerous crosses.
Northwood
continued to press for the elusive goal and they twice hit the
woodwork, Christian rattling the crossbar with a 30-yard scorcher
before Hewitt was denied a third goal of the season after his header
rebounded off the post.
However, the best
chance to break the deadlock fell to Aveley substitute Sean Thomas but
he appeared to have too much time and space in the box and his weak
shot was gratefully collected by Swain.
But neither
defence could be breached as the honours remained even, both sides
extending their unbeaten starts to the new campaign.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Michael Gordon's mazy run threatens the Aveley goal
Leon Nelson can't prevent the defender clearing his lines
John Christian pushes forwards
Dwain Williams concentrates on the ball
Terry Davies on the attack
Richard Orlu wins a towering header
Terry Davies in possession
Danny Murphy makes a surging run down the flank
Leon Nelson tries a little ballet...
Terry Davies and Michael Davies link up in attack
Richard Orlu and Bradley Hewitt challenge the Aveley keeper
Richard Orlu comes out of defence with the ball
Bradley Hewitt takes up his new right-winger role
Is it a goal? John Christian's 30-yarder strikes the bar ... but did it cross the line?? What a shame the linesman wasn't up with play!!
Bradley's header looks goal-bound, but it's another escape for Aveley as the ball hits the post
Michael Gordon's mazy run threatens the Aveley goal
Photos: James Brown |
