Match Report
by Robin Piper
The extended break
since their last game appeared not to have benefited rusty looking
Northwood as they suffered a rare home league defeat at the hands of
the division’s top scorers.
Woods gave a debut
to new signing Rob Ursell, who replaced Terry Davies in attack, whilst
Danny Brown came in for the injured Joe Cowen at right-back.
Sean Sonner was
presented with a chance within seconds of the start as he found
himself free on the edge of the box but his volley flew wide of the
Abbots’ goal.
However, the early
optimism quickly faded for Northwood as the visitors began to ask
questions of the home defence, Lee Sontag sending a low ball across
the face of goal with Billy Holland unable to apply the finishing
touch before Harry Elmes created an opening for James Elmes, but his
shot lacked the required power to beat ‘keeper Mitch Swain.
Woods were looking
decidedly under-par but in a rare moment of cohesion, Richard Orlu had
a volley cleared off the line after Bradley Hewitt headed Danny
Murphy’s deep corner back into the danger area.
The Abbots were
soon back on the attack as Holland tested Swain with a low shot,
whilst Lee White had a shot deflected behind for a corner.
And Northwood had a
lucky escape when Swain saved Brown’s blushes as he almost headed into
his own net following Denny Webb’s corner.
Following a
disjointed opening spell for Northwood, the hosts gradually began to
find some rhythm. Sonner was presented with an excellent chance to
open the scoring as he latched onto Ryan Tackley’s through-ball but he
miscued as he attempted to lift the ball over the advancing Joe Taylor
in the Waltham Abbey goal.
Moments later
Ursell created space for himself on the edge of the box but Taylor was
equal to the low shot.
Chances continued
to be created at both ends, Holland unable to convert a free-header
following Webb’s free-kick into the box for the visitors, whilst
Hewitt went close for Woods after he latched onto Sonner’s knockdown.
And Northwood were
grateful to Swain as he produced a flying save to deny Webb shortly
before the break.
But the Abbots
weren’t to be denied and they were rewarded for their first-half
performance with a stoppage time goal, Marc Sontag’s shot taking a
deflection on its way into the Northwood net.
Both sides won
free-kicks in useful positions early in the second-half but both
Hewitt and White were unable to find the target with their headers.
Woods made a change
ten minutes into the half with Brown making way for striker Otis
Williams. Ursell was moved onto the left flank with Murphy moving to
left-back and Tackley switched to right-back.
But the change
didn’t have the desired effect for Northwood, as Waltham Abbey
threatened to add to their lead, Holland missing the target with
another free header before Marc Sontag was unable to cap a storming
run with the required finish.
The Abbots went
close once more with a long range shot from Dave Ayres but Murphy was
conveniently placed to clear effort off the line.
Abdul Yoki and
Danny Power were introduced for Ursell and Murphy on 71 minutes as
Woods looked for a way back .
Northwood briefly
threatened as Sonner was denied by Taylor after the latter had got
onto the end of a Yoki free-kick the hosts never really looked liked
breaking down the stubborn Waltham Abbey rearguard.
And after James
Elmes had seen his free-kick rebound off the Northwood crossbar, Harry
Elmes went one better as he scored his side’s second goal on 81
minutes after Swain had saved the striker’s initial effort.
As the clock ticked
down, Woods’ frustrations grew, with the referee producing a series of
yellow cards. But Northwood could have no argument with the final
score-line which meant a first home league defeat since February.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Michael Gordon is tightly marked
Rob Ursell shows his skills
Danny Brown makes a forward run
Sean Sonner takes on the defender
Michael Gordon turns defender...
Michael Gordon and Rob Ursell link up
Bradley Hewitt leads an assault on the Abbey goal
Michael Gordon surges through
Abdul Yoki makes a run late in the game
Michael Gordon again attracts close attention
Michael Gordon is tightly marked
Photos: James Brown |
