Match Report
by Robin Piper
 

Northwood made the trip to third-placed Brentwood and came back with a share of the spoils, but it was nearly so much more as they conceded a 90th minute penalty in an entertaining affair at the Brentwood Arena.

The pitch required an inspection by the referee before being passed fit after a series of heavy showers prior to kick-off, but the playing surface stood up well, with both sides producing plenty of flowing, passing football.

Woods gave a debut to centre-back Chris Seeby, on loan from St. Albans City, with Mark Burgess moving into a midfield anchor role. Dwain Williams and Gary Burrell reverted to the substitutes bench and Danny Power returned to the right-back slot.

Northwood began in a positive fashion with Gary Senior almost latching onto Ryan Tackley’s through-ball, but Brentwood goalkeeper Nicky Mitchell made a hurried clearance.

John Christian tested Mitchell with a low drive which skidded of the wet surface but the Brentwood custodian managed to fumble the ball away for a corner.

Northwood were asking all the questions in the opening minutes and Tackley was the next to try his luck but his long range shot was wide of the target.

Brentwood gradually began to settle, and Sherwin Stanley sent in a shot which was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Mitch Swain, before Lee Perry’s dipping shot flew narrowly over the Northwood crossbar.

Woods continued to work some useful positions and Senior might have chosen to shoot on goal but opted to square the ball for Eugene Ofori and the opportunity had gone.

Ofori was involved once more as his instinctive shot from the edge of the box flew the wrong side of the upright.

There were further chances for both sides in an entertaining opening half, Sam Higgins dragging his shot wide after breaking clear of the Northwood defence whilst the lively Senior sent his first time shot wide of the far post.

Woods were immediately on the offensive after the half-time break, Ofori just beaten to Christian’s through-ball by the advancing Mitchell.

Northwood were enjoying plenty of possession with the impressive duo of Danny Brown and Christian winning the battle in midfield.

Christian had a great chance to open the scoring but he appeared to have too much time and space as he gently volleyed Rob Ursell’s corner into Mitchell’s arms.

Brentwood utilised all their substitutes as they looked to turn the match in their favour, and replacement Billy Crowther went close with a header before Perry shot wide after a corner was only half cleared by the Woods defence.

Burrell was introduced for Burgess on 63 minutes, whilst Hugo Figueiredo replaced Ursell with twenty minutes left on the clock as Northwood continued to look for the elusive goal.

Dave Anderson’s substitutions paid dividends as both were involved in Northwood taking the lead on 77 minutes, Steve King being adjudged to have brought down Figueiredo, with Burrell stepping up to confidently despatch the resultant penalty-kick.

Northwood had chances to make the game safe but Ofori was denied by the legs of Mitchell, before the Woods’ striker was presented with another golden opportunity but skied his close-range shot over the crossbar.

Woods were made to pay for their profligacy as Brentwood were awarded a 90th minute penalty after the ball had already ended up in the Northwood net, Danny Glozier stepping up to give Swain no chance with a coolly taken spot-kick. The draw was a fair result, which saw Northwood remain in fifth spot, two points ahead of Concord Rangers.   

  PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge) 

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Photos: James Solomon