Match Report
by Robin Piper
It was a return to
non-League opposition for Northwood as they continued their build-up
to the new season with a home encounter against Hendon of the Ryman
Premier.
Played in sweltering
conditions, both sides contributed to an entertaining encounter
which was worthy of more goals.
After Hendon’s Casey
MacLaren headed narrowly wide with an early header, Woods went on
the attack with both Michael Gordon and Sean Sonner being denied by
goalkeeper Luke Blackmore following sweeping moves.
Hendon survived the
Northwood pressure and slowly began to ask questions of the home
defence, with MacLaren, Brian Haule and Mark Kirby all going close,
whilst Leon Nelson squandered a good opportunity.
However, it was Northwood
who drew first blood against the run of play as Sonner latched onto
Danny Murphy’s far post cross to send an unstoppable header past
Blackmore on 33 minutes.
Woods almost extended
their lead but Adrian Abramian’s effort was ruled out for offside,
whilst Mitch Swain kept the lead intact as he saved well from Rob
Ursell.
Sonner had a wonderful
chance to grab his second goal of the afternoon early in the second
half, but he seemed to be in two minds as he tamely headed wide
following good work from Murphy and John Christian.
Hendon made the most of
their reprieve and they drew level on 54 minutes, Ursell converting
after Northwood failed to clear their lines.
Both sides continued to
create chances, Casey MacLaren heading against the post whilst
Woods’ substitute Aryan Taj was denied by Blackmore in a one-on-one.
The game became
increasingly scrappy as both sides made a succession of
substitutions, the dangerous MacLaren going closest to adding to the
scoreline when he hit the crossbar with a rasping shot.
Despite the introduction
of fresh legs, there was to be no further scoring as the game slowly
petered out in the summer sunshine. |
