Match Report
by Robin Piper
Mark Barnham
completed his successful stint as caretaker manager by securing
another point to extend the unbeaten league run to four games although
Woods would have been disappointed not to take all three as Rovers
clawed back a two goal deficit.
Bradley Hewitt
returned from injury to link up in central defence with loan signing
Michael Peacock, Elliott Gibbs standing down, whilst Mark Burgess
was serving a one match ban. Danny Power replaced Lee Holland at
right-back, Anthony Page returned to the midfield at the expense of
Scott Purdue, whilst there was a debut for Dean Mason in place of
Laurie Walters.
Northwood
threatened from the off as John Christian, wearing the captain’s
armband, sent a shot whistling narrowly over the crossbar. Woods had a
scare as Rovers’ Neil Richmond saw his shot hit the inside of the post
and bounce on the line before the danger was cleared.
Woods had
produced a solid start and they were rewarded with the opening goal on
20 minutes, the in-form Hugo Figueiredo repeating the feat of the
previous week with an almost identical free-kick past ‘keeper Richard
McKinney.
However, Rovers
thought they had restored parity when Richmond deftly stroked the ball
past Mitch Swain in the Woods’ goal, only to be denied by an offside
flag.
The hosts were
becoming increasingly frustrated and they incurred a flurry of yellow
cards, whilst Dwane Williams was booked for Northwood as the battle in
midfield warmed up.
Woods continued
to probe the home defence and Figueiredo sent over an inviting cross
for Page but he was unable to direct his header past McKinney.
There were
chances at both ends in stoppage time at the end of an entertaining
first half. Swain foiled Billy Johnson’s shot on the turn following a
free-kick into the box whilst Christian and Dwane Williams sent
efforts over the Great Wakering crossbar.
Northwood were
the first to threaten after the restart as Page latched onto Tackley’s
cross but his shot was easy for McKinney, while at the other end Jimmy
Webb’s shot found the side-netting.
Page was denied
by McKinney once more as his volley from Otis Williams’ cross was
blocked by the Rovers’ stopper.
However, McKinney
was unable to prevent Woods extending their lead on 57 minutes when
Otis Williams converted the loose ball after the Rovers’ defence
failed to deal with Power’s throw into the box.
Power was in the
thick of the action again minutes later, but at the other end of the
pitch as he brought down Webb to concede a penalty, Dan Trenkel making
no mistake from the spot to reduce the arrears on 61 minutes.
Having thrown
themselves a lifeline, Great Wakering managed to draw level two
minutes later as Richmond gave Swain no chance with a 25 yard screamer
after Woods failed to clear a corner.
Rovers were now
rejuvenated and threatened more goals, Peacock blocking Billy
Johnson’s goal-bound shot off the line before Swain desperately clawed
out Jack O’Connor’s deflected cross from under his crossbar.
Play switched to
the other end as Northwood sought to regain the avantage, Mason aiming
his shot at McKinney after the Woods debutant cut in from the right
flank.
Mason made way
for Danny Brown on with twenty minutes left on the clock and the
latter almost made an immediate impact as his shot flew narrowly wide
of the far post following a short corner.
Brown was
involved again as went close with another shot after a slick move
involving Figueiredo and Tackley.
Play was
switching freely from end to end as both sides looked for the winning
goal. Webb and Richmond went close for Rovers whilst Brown had another
opportunity to get a strike in on goal following Figueiredo’s fine run
and cross but the shot was easy for McKinney.
However, Rovers
had a wonderful opportunity to seal the win in stoppage time as
Richmond found himself bearing down on goal with only Swain to beat
but the Woods keeper came out on top to ensure the spoils were
deservedly shared after a pulsating encounter.
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