Match Report
by Robin Piper

Northwood made the midweek trip to Canvey Island and came away with a point but might have taken all three.

Woods were under the caretaker management of reserve team boss Mark Barnham following the departure of Colin Payne at the weekend, and the team put in a spirited performance in an entertaining affair.

There was a new look to the Woods line-up with both Danny Murphy and Ryan Tackley being unavailable, Joe Cowen coming into right-back with Danny Power switching to left full-back, whilst there was a first start for Hugo Figueiredo on the left flank. Danny Brown was drafted into the midfield with Sean Sonner as the lone striker.

Northwood began well, and Sonner went close to opening the scoring after he was played in by Figueiredo on seven minutes but keeper Adam Rafis got down well to save the shot.

Concord proceeded to put Woods under a spell of pressure with their direct approach and there were chances for Gary Ogilvie, Danny Heale and Nathan Fletcher, whilst Richard Orlu had to clear Nicky Cowley’s cross-shot off the Northwood line.

But the Woods defence was up to the challenge, and having survived the pressure, Northwood began to ask questions of the Concord rearguard before half-time.

Michael Gordon had a great chance to give Woods the lead but he blazed wide from a good position following Sonner’s throw into the box.

Richard Orlu was the next to go close as he fired a shot across the face of goal following a corner whilst Figueiredo headed over from Gordon’s cross.

Woods continued in a similar vein after the break and they reaped their reward as they took the lead on 51 minutes, Sonner punishing hesitancy in the Concord defence as he latched onto a Burgess through-ball before lifting his shot over the advancing Rafis and into an empty net.

With their tails up, Northwood almost added a second goal as Brown shot narrowly wide.

Dwane Williams replaced Christian in the Woods midfield on the hour-mark, whilst Otis Williams was introduced for Figueiredo.

However, Northwood had to defend a succession of set pieces as they conceded a number of corners and free-kicks, Dave Collins’ dangerous delivery testing the Woods defence, with Nathan Fletcher and substitute Bradley Hunter going close for Concord.

But Northwood broke out of defence with the best move of the game, Gordon ghosting past a succession of challenges before delivering an exquisite cross for Sonner, whose near-post header hit the outside of the post.

And Sonner went close once more as he looked to add the final touch to Power’s cross but he was denied by some good defensive work from substitute Phil Barrow.

But Woods were unable to find the all important second goal and they were punished for some slack defending when Hunter was allowed to cut into the box and fire a shot inside Mitch Swain’s near post to restore parity on 82 minutes.

Lee Holland replaced Anthony Page for the closing minutes and there was some to do for Northwood before the final whistle but there was no further scoring, the draw a fair result.