Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood were
once again grateful for the penalty taking prowess of Sean Sonner as
they claimed a deserved share of the spoils at The Abrahams Stadium.
Manager Colin
Payne decided to deploy a new formation, with Sonner being supported
in attack by Michael Gordon and Abdul Yoki, the latter making his
first start of the season, with Rob Ursell reverting to the subs
bench.
Dwane Williams
returned to the midfield at the expense of namesake Dwain, whilst
there was a place in the middle of the park for debutant Anthony
Page.
And there was
also a change in defence, Ryan Tackley moving across to the
right-back slot vacated by Danny Brown, and there was a first start
for ‘keeper Rob Pearce in place of the unfit Mitch Swain.
The game began
at a quick tempo, with both sides making a series of incisive moves.
Northwood’s Michael Gordon had a close-range shot blocked after good
work from Yoki before Wingate’s Wayne Grant headed narrowly over
from a corner.
In an open
game, the play was flowing freely from end to end, John Christian
sending a long range effort narrowly wide of the Wingate goal,
whilst the lively Grant had another opportunity for the hosts but
his shot was wide of the mark.
But it was
Wingate who drew first blood in rather fortuitous circumstances,
Pearce failing to deal with a corner, allowing Ahmet Rifat to
convert the loose ball on 38 minutes.
Conceding the
goal appeared to knock Northwood’s confidence as Wingate looked to
capitalise, former Wood Leon Nelson sending a shot over the bar
after Woods struggled to clear their lines.
But Woods
gradually regained their composure, and a quick break from Gordon
created an opening for Yoki but his shot was comfortably dealt with
by keeper Gavin King.
Northwood were
unchanged for the second half as they looked to add a cutting edge
to their neat approach play.
And they were
quickly on the attack when Gordon drilled a dangerous ball across
the face of the goal which just evaded Sonner, whilst Richard Orlu
sent a header into the arms of King following a Yoki corner.
Woods were
forced into a change on 53 minutes when Christian turned an ankle,
and Dwain Williams was his replacement in midfield.
Northwood were
gradually pinning Wingate back as they took advantage of the
stiffening wind at their backs. And Sonner should have done better
as he latched onto a poor goal-kick from King but the Woods striker
poked his shot the wrong side of the post.
Danny Murphy
was the next to threaten the home goal following a neat one-two with
Yoki but King was quickly off his line to smother the danger, whilst
Tackley tested King with a firmly driven free-kick but the Wingate
stopper was equal to the task once again.
Otis Williams
was introduced for Yoki on 63 minutes as Northwood continued to look
for that elusive goal, the Woods’ substitute sending a shot flashing
past the post whilst Murphy’s shot was collected by King.
Wingate were
having do a lot of defending but they finally broke their shackles
as substitute Dean Williams almost capped a sweeping move but his
shot flew past the far post.
And the hosts
had a wonderful opportunity to make sure of the points when they
were awarded a debatable penalty ten minutes from time after Orlu
was adjudged to have impeded Grant. However, Grant was unable to
capitalise as Pearce made amends for his earlier error by blocking
the striker’s spot-kick.
Northwood set
about making the most of their reprieve and Ursell was added to the
attack, with Dwane Williams making way.
And Woods’
endeavours were finally rewarded as Bradley Hewitt was caught by
Bobby Aisen in the box, Sonner gleefully despatching the resultant
penalty to restore parity on 86 minutes.
A reinvigorated
Northwood went looking for the winner and they almost achieved it in
stoppage time but Sonner’s close-range header from Ursell’s hanging
flew agonisingly wide of the target. |
