Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood’s
midweek trip to south-east London proved a fruitless journey as
Thamesmead came from behind to take the points and record their
first home league win of the season.
Injuries
continue to plague Colin Payne’s squad, with Sean Sonner being the
latest addition to the growing list, Anthony Page coming in as a
replacement, whilst Bradley Hewitt had to settle for a place on the
bench having not recovered sufficiently.
Otis Williams
spearheaded the attack in an 4-3-3 formation, and he was almost
presented with a chance to give Woods an early lead, but Michael
Gordon’s low cross just evaded his outstretched leg.
Northwood
continued to carry the greater threat and Page had a couple of
opportunities, firstly flicking a shot at ‘keeper Chris Conneally
after he latched onto Abdul Yoki’s long throw before the lively
Gordon picked him out at the far post but his header dropped wide of
the far post.
Woods had
enjoyed the better of the early exchanges with their slick passing
movements, but keeper Mitch Swain was called into action as he
turned Peter Smith’s low drive around the post.
Both sides were
playing their part in an entertaining opening half with plenty of
constructive football on show, but the defences held the upper hand.
Yoki sent a
couple of speculative shots wide of the target before Danny Murphy
tried his luck from distance but was also wide of the mark.
At the other
end, Richard Dimmock saw a half-volley from the edge of the box sail
over the Northwood crossbar.
But Woods were
rewarded for a good first-half showing as they took the lead a
minute before the break, Yoki applying the final touch to Gordon’s
cross after Dwane Williams’ neat through ball.
Northwood came
out for the second period looking to put the game beyond Thamesmead
and they twice went close through Dwane Williams and Yoki.
However, Woods
allowed Thamesmead back into the game on 54 minutes after they
squandered possession, allowing Rikki Cable to pick out Dimmock,
whose shot found the Woods’ net via the post.
Northwood
looked to make amends and John Christian’s 30-yard dipping shot just
cleared the Thamesmead bar.
Aryan Taj was
introduced for Yoki on the hour mark, and Woods created a number of
openings, with Otis Williams, Gordon and Page all having
opportunities to restore the lead, but the chances went begging.
And Woods were
punished for their profligacy in front of goal as the defence
switched off to allow Cable to sweep home at the far post to give
Thamesmead the lead on 72 minutes.
The injured
Dwane Williams and Lee Holland were replaced by Danny Brown and
Danny Power respectively as Northwood set about restoring their
fortunes on an increasingly frustrating evening.
Northwood had a
couple of half-chances but were unable to find a way past Conneally
in the home goal, whilst Dimmock almost made the game safe for the
hosts but his header was cleared off the line by Richard Orlu.
There were
further chances for Thamesmead in the closing minutes, substitute
Curtis Williams shooting over from close-range whilst Swain denied
Cable.
However,
Northwood almost secured a share of the spoils as the game moved
deep into stoppage time, Taj surging into the box and sending in a
shot which bounced across the bar and away to safety to condemn
Woods to their third league defeat of the season. |
