Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood’s
away-day blues continued as they suffered their second reverse in
four days by going down to a solitary goal defeat at Maldon.
Manager Colin
Payne had been busy bolstering his injury hit squad and there was a
start on the left flank for Rodney Hicks following his return from
St Albans City. Danny Power replaced the injured Lee Holland at
right-back with Dwane Williams also missing out through injury,
Woods reverting to a 4-4-2 line up with Abdul Yoki partnering Otis
Williams in attack.
After suffering
an early scare when Danny Murphy cleared James Robinson’s shot off
the line, Northwood proceeded to take the game to the hosts. Hicks
almost marked his return with a goal but his downward header from
Yoki’s corner was cleared from under the crossbar by Danny Roles.
Power was
enjoying a steady game at right-back and he combined well with
Michael Gordon whose cross presented Yoki with a free header but his
effort was wide of the target.
Power and
Gordon combined well once more with the over-lapping full-back
bursting into the box but his shot flew narrowly wide of the
upright.
Northwood
weren’t having it all their own way, and Robinson broke through the
Woods defence but his shot could only find the side-netting.
Chris Day was
the next to threaten for Maldon but he dragged his shot wide of the
far post.
Woods were soon
on the attack once more and they dominated up to the half-time
break, with Michael Gordon a particular thorn in the side of the
Maldon defence.
Gordon created
an opening for Williams, but his shot was charged down before the
Woods’ winger latched onto the rebound but was unable to keep his
shot down.
Northwood went
close once more after Gordon latched onto John Christian’s through
ball, Gordon’s dangerous ball across the face of goal being diverted
away from the in-rushing Yoki.
Woods continued
to dominate with Anthony Page heading over before Yoki rattled the
crossbar with a fierce drive.
But the
deserved goal didn’t arrive for Northwood and the match turned two
minutes into the second half, when a uncharacteristic mistake from
Richard Orlu presented Jack West with an easy chance to give Maldon
the lead, which he duly took.
New signings
Inih Effiong and Craig Mortimer were introduced for Hicks and Page
respectively whilst Rob Ursell replaced Williams.
However,
despite the injection of fresh legs Northwood grew increasingly
devoid of attacking ideas in a desperately disappointing second half
performance.
Christian saw
his shot comfortably saved by ‘keeper David McCartney whilst Effiong
wasn’t far away with a header from Gordon’s cross.
But that was
the closest Woods came to restoring parity, and there was an air of
inevitability as the game petered out, leaving Northwood to reflect
on their second defeat of the week. |
