Match Report
by Alan Evans
Northwood came from behind at Imber
Court to record their second 2-1 pre-season victory in four days.
Both sides had scored narrow midweek
wins over AFC Wimbledon, so a close game was anticipated, and there
was also the added influence of the two clubs' impending FA Cup
clash at Chestnut Avenue in just six weeks time.
But at this early stage of pre-season
aperitif, it was merely a chance for both sides to get some match
practice and improve fitness another notch.
With Sean Sonner absent, Colin Payne
paired Terry Davies and Adrian Abramian up front for the first time,
and it was Davies who had the first chance of the match after 12
minutes. Home goalkeeper Will Packham made a bit of a mess of an
attempted clearance and was robbed by the Northwood striker. He took
time to make room for a shot from outside the box but a defender had
retreated and was able to clear.
There was 26 minutes on the clock when
the home side recorded their first effort on goal as Steve Sargent
raced through the defence but he shot over the bar.
Four minutes later a cross from Leon
Johnson saw Craig Carley head over from a good position but
generally, the Woods had managed to control the midfield in the
first half, with Jack Bennett impressing on the left, while both
Abdul Yoki and Dwane Williams saw plenty of the ball.
It was all-change at half-time as
expected, and the Mets took full advantage of some indecision in
defence when Sargent opened the scoring just five minutes into the
second half.
The Woods hit back when a ball from
Liam Sonner found on-trial striker Danny Buckle in space, but his
shot across goal drifted wide of the far post.
At this stage, the Police were on top
and looking like they might go on to win, but when one good strike
came back off the crossbar, it offered the Woods a lifeline, which
they took well.
After 84 minutes, Michael Gordon showed
some sublime skills to dance his way past a succession of defenders
as he cut in from the left and then levelled the scores with a shot
from a tight angle which beat 'keeper Mo Maan at the near post.
Two minutes later, the move of the
match involving Buckle, Jack Brown and Dwain Williams set up Danny
Julienne to dance into the box and tuck the ball away with a
left-footed finish.
There was no comeback from the Mets,
who could have conceded further late on as Brown ran through but
shot wide, and then Buckle's effort lacked the power to beat Maan.
Overall, Colin Payne can be pleased
with this run-out, in which defender Richard Orlu looked solid for
the 90 minute trial he got on the field and many others impressed.
Onto the midweek game against Barnet
now without holidaying Ryan Tackley and Lee Holland, but with Danny
Murphy back from his week away. Sean Sonner and Bradley Hewitt are
also expected to return to the squad as the start of the season gets
a little nearer. |
