Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood put the
disappointment of the previous week’s Trophy exit behind them by
defeating Tilbury in a mid-table clash at Chestnut Avenue.
There was one
change to the Woods line-up, which was missing the suspended John
Christian. Ryan Tackley made his first start since recovering from
injury, slotting in at left-back with Danny Murphy moving forward.
Northwood were
quickly into their stride as they raced into a two goal lead inside
the first ten minutes. Sean Sonner scored the opener on seven minutes
as he raced onto a Mark Burgess ball over the Dockers’ backline,
defender Danny Smith making a brave attempt to block the goal-bound
shot.
And Woods
exploited further hesitancy in the Tilbury defence after 10 minutes as
Otis Williams stabbed the ball home from close range after Bradley
Hewitt had headed down Danny Murphy’s corner.
The Dockers
responded well to the early setbacks and launched a series of forays
into the Northwood half. Goalkeeper Mitch Swain was called upon to
save efforts from Jason Fontaine and Chris Stowe, whilst the latter
sent a free-kick from the edge of the box into the arms of the Woods’
stopper.
Having withstood
the Tilbury response, Northwood were back on the attack as they looked
for further goals. Otis Williams was in the thick of the action,
firstly sending a shot over the bar after Michael Gordon had worked
the opening before a surging run into the Tilbury box was snuffed out
by the Dockers’ defence.
There were
further chances at both ends before the halftime break. Otis Williams
rattled the Tilbury crossbar after a sweeping move involving Murphy
and Sonner whilst the visitors were awarded an indirect free-kick
inside the box for dangerous play, Stephane Koffi’s effort unable to
find a way past the wall of red shirts.
Northwood set
about putting the game beyond Tilbury after the restart and they were
denied a third goal when Sonner had an effort disallowed for offside
after Danny Power’s initial shot was blocked in a goalmouth melee.
Tilbury used
their full quota of replacements as they looked for a way back into
the match and they continued to threaten, substitute Clinton Hodge
shooting over from a good position before the same player saw his long
range shot tipped over the bar by Swain.
However,
Northwood effectively put the game beyond the Dockers when Murphy
added a third goal on 73 minutes, the Woods’ skipper heading home from
Gordon’s pin-point cross.
Danny Brown was
introduced for the impressive Anthony Page, whilst Joe Cowen made his
first appearance since September as a replacement for Otis Williams.
And Northwood
still had some work to do as Tilbury refused to throw in the towel,
Swain having to deal with shots from Michael Black and Greg Cohen.
Woods made their
final substitution with four minutes left on the clock, Bradley Hewitt
making way for Richard Orlu.
Gordon went close
to adding a fourth goal for Woods as he attacked from deep in his own
half, but Jamie Wallace was on hand to execute a last ditch tackle.
Tilbury produced
a late rally as the game moved into stoppage time with Swain saving
well from Fontaine.
And the Dockers
were rewarded with a consolation goal as Stowe tapped home from close
range after the Woods’ defence failed to clear Koffi’s overhead kick.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Sean Sonner fires in the opening goal
Bradley Hewitt heads the ball down and goalwards...
...and Otis Williams gets the final touch!
Sean Sonner fires in the opening goal
Photos: James Brown |
