Match Report
by Robin Piper
New Northwood
manager Dave Anderson marked his first league game in charge with a
win in a closely fought encounter at foggy Chestnut Avenue.
Simon Dean made
his league debut between the sticks as a replacement for the injured
Mitch Swain, whilst Michael Gordon returned to the starting line-up
in place of Dean Mason.
Both sides
struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages, Dwane Williams’
long-range shot being the nearest Woods came to opening the scoring
in a patchy opening fifteen minutes.
Northwood began
to find their range and Potters Bar were indebted to ‘keeper Harry
Ricketts who pulled off an instinctive save to deny John Christian
as he latched onto Hugo Figueiredo’s low cross.
The lively
Figueiredo created another opening for Woods as he beat full-back
Reiss Noel and sent over a delightful cross which skimmed off the
forehead of Otis Williams as he sought to convert.
Northwood were
now calling all the shots, Ryan Tackley going close with a fiercely
driven free-kick whilst Christian saw his shot blocked on the line.
At the other
end, Dean was quickly off his line as he saved bravely at the feet
of substitute Sam Adejokun who was on as a replacement for former
Wood Aryan Taj, who had left the field with a knee injury.
However,
Northwood confirmed their superiority by taking the lead in the
final minute of the half as Tackley’s sweetly struck free-kick left
Ricketts floundering in the Scholars’ goal.
Ricketts was
tested again moments later but this time he was equal to Gordon’s
shot.
Woods
threatened immediately after the restart as Figueiredo’s shot flew
narrowly over the bar.
Potters Bar
proceeded to put Northwood under pressure and Marcel McKie had a
close range header from a Daniel Francis’ corner cleared off the
line.
Francis was the
catalyst to the Scholars drawing level on 54 minutes, sending over
another pin-point corner which was headed home by Theo Daniels.
The visitors’
joy was short-lived as Woods posted an immediate response, Page
finishing well from Gordon’s cross for his first goal for the club
in on 55 minutes.
Woods
threatened to extend their lead, the Scholars surviving a goalmouth
melee with Page having his back-heel cleared off the line before
Gordon blazed his shot wide from a good position.
Woods made a
double substitution on 73 minutes, Lee Holland and the returning Rob
Ursell replacing Danny Power and Otis Williams respectively.
Northwood
looked more likely to score further goals, Page heading wide whilst
Christian was denied as McKinney turned his shot around the post
following more good work from Figueiredo.
There was still
time for Gordon to be replaced by Mason in stoppage time, but Woods
had done enough to record their third win in four league games.
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