Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood maintained their place in the
last play-off spot with a narrow win over their Essex visitors.
There were no changes to the Woods team
following the midweek win over Hillingdon Borough, and they carried on
in a similar vein as they took the lead as early as the fifth minute.
Danny Power was the catalyst as his deep cross picked out Eugene
Ofori, who sent a sweetly struck half-volley beyond goalkeeper Louis
Green for his sixth goal of the season.
Northwood went in search of further goals
and John Christian was denied by Green, before Mark Burgess wasn’t far
away with a low shot from outside the box.
Rovers were enjoying their fair share of
possession, and Billy Johnson might have done better with a shot on
the turn when the ball fell nicely for him in the box following a
corner.
Woods were soon on the attack again when
Ursell created a chance for Gary Senior who dragged his shot across
the face of goal, before the former made space for himself but shot
straight at Green.
The visitors continued to present a
threat to Northwood, as Gary Ogilvie sent a shot over the crossbar,
before Johnson latched onto Michael Fox’s long throw but failed to
connect properly with the shot.
Woods were indebted to goalkeeper Mitch
Swain when he produced a smart save to deny Johnson as Rovers
continued to threaten an equaliser.
In an end-to-end first half, Ursell had
further opportunities to extend Northwood’s lead before the break, but
Green was on hand to keep his team in the contest.
Northwood were forced into a change at
the half-time break, Danny Brown replacing goal-scorer Ofori with
Ursell pushing up to partner Senior in attack.
Chances continued to be created at both
ends, Fox sending a long range shot narrowly over the Northwood bar,
before Christian was unable to get enough purchase on a header from
Ursell’s cross.
Senior had a chance to capitalise on a
defensive mix-up but he shot wide of the target, whilst Johnson
squandered another chance for the visitors as he dragged his shot wide
after breaking clear of the Woods’ defence.
Anthony Page was introduced for the
injured Power just after the hour-mark, with Burgess moving into the
right-back berth.
Gary Burrell was the next to go close for
Northwood, but his speculative effort rebounded off the far post.
Kyle Matthews replaced Ursell on 67
minutes as Woods sought the elusive second goal, and it nearly arrived
following a sweeping move involving Brown, Page and Senior, the
latter’s shot flying the wrong side of the upright.
Northwood pushed hard for the clinching
goal in the closing stages, Page, Matthews and Burrell all
threatening, with the latter having a shot parried onto the post by
Green, before the Rovers’ custodian saved another Burrell effort.
But the single goal proved to be enough
for Northwood, who now eagerly await the result of play-off rivals
Concord’s midweek trip to Redbridge before completing their league
programme at Ilford next Saturday.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Photos: James Brown |
