Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood
suffered a frustrating afternoon as they failed to break down a
stubborn Redbridge in a goal-less stalemate at Chestnut Avenue.
Woods were
unchanged from the midweek success at Waltham Abbey, with Michael
Peacock starting the final match of his successful loan spell before
returning to parent club AFC Wimbledon.
There was a
low-key start to the game with neither goalkeeper being seriously
tested in the early stages, although the impressive Eugene Ofori and
fellow Woods’ striker Kyle Matthews managed shots on the Redbridge
goal, whilst Carl Bruce volleyed over for the visitors.
Northwood were
struggling to impose themselves on proceedings and Redbridge
threatened through an Earl Sterling free-kick from the edge of the box
which flew narrowly over, before Woods’ custodian Mitch Swain was
called upon to deal with Thomas Laxton’s low snapshot.
However, the
hosts gradually found their form as they produced a strong finish to
the opening period. Redbridge keeper Charlie Hasler was forced into a
finger-tip save to deny Gary Burrell following a slick Northwood move
whilst Matthews might have done better as he scooped his shot over at
the far post as he latched onto Anthony Page’s low cross.
There were
further chances for Woods before the half-time whistle sounded, Page
shooting wide before Ofori sent a header into the arms of Hasler.
Northwood were
immediately on the offensive after the break, with Burrell trying his
luck from distance but Hasler was up to the test.
At the other end,
Laxton was off target with another long range effort.
Woods continued
to push for the opening goal, and they went close as Ofori stabbed his
shot against an upright following Matthews’ clever turn and cross into
the box, while Page wasn’t far away with a header from John
Christian’s free-kick.
Northwood manager
Dave Anderson made a change on the hour-mark, with Hugo Figueiredo
replacing Solomon Henry on the right flank.
Woods threatened
once again when Ofori headed narrowly over following Bradley Hewitt’s
flick-on from Danny Power’s corner.
Danny Brown was
introduced for Matthews with twenty minutes left on the clock, the
substitute taking up the right flank position with Figueiredo moving
inside to partner Ofori in attack.
But it was Swain
who was called into action as he dealt with a shot from Hakeem Araba.
Redbridge
survived a scare as Hasler fumbled Burrell’s free-kick, and the
visiting keeper was relieved to see Hewitt’s header cleared of the
line by substitute Simon Peddie.
Woods continued
to be thwarted by an organised Redbridge rearguard, with Figueiredo’s
header from a Mark Burgess ball into the box being comfortably
collected by Hasler.
Woods were
running out of time and ideas to find a way through as they increased
their attacking options by switching to a three-man defence.
But Northwood had
to do some the defending in the closing minutes when Bruce sent a
flicked header narrowly wide of the far post, before the same player
scooped a shot over when well placed.
Ofori had the
last chance of the afternoon but his shot cleared the Redbridge
crossbar to ensure the deadlock remained intact with Northwood
conceding two points as the race for the play-off places gathers pace.
PHOTO GALLERY No. 1 (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Photos: James Brown
PHOTO GALLERY No. 2 (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Photos: James Solomon
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