Match Report
by Alan Evans
The Woods had a Brad Hewitt header to
thank for picking up a point from this top of the table clash and
extending an unbeaten league run to an impressive nine matches.
Rob Ursell returned to the side at the
expense of Dwane Williams against a Wingate side well placed in the
table, just one point behind Northwood but with three games in hand.
There was a slow and scrappy start to the
game, perhaps with both sides trying to cancel each other out, and it
was the visitors who struck the first blow when former Northwood
striker Leon Nelson hit a post with a low first-time drive.
The Woods responded with Kyle Matthews
enjoying a good game on the right and his cross resulted in Michael
Gordon hooking over from close-range.
It was after 28 minutes that Northwood
went behind when Marvin Samuel blasted home a penalty after a clumsy
challenge by Danny Power on Precious Koko had resulted in the award of
a spot-kick.
There was a positive response from the
home side, with Matthews, Ursell and Staforde Palmer all going close
in quick succession. Then, after Mark Burgess speculative 40-yarder
had dropped just wide of the goal, Ursells good pass put Gordon in on
goal but he rolled his shot wide of the far post.
It was much the same after the break,
though Wingate & Finchley did go close when Mitch Swain had to make a
good save to deny Marc Weatherstone after the wing-back had robbed
Ryan Tackley of the ball.
Palmer had seen a good strike well saved
by goalkeeper Gavin King before the Woods levelled on 65 minutes.
Tackley angled a free-kick into the box and Hewitt scored with a
deftly flicked header to give King no chance.
Both sides had chances to win the game in
a very open final twenty minutes. For Wingate, Nelson was twice denied
by flying saves from the impressive Swain while the crossbar was hit
twice in seconds by substitutes Chris Bangura’s header and Chris
Chase’s shot.
At the other end Ursell tested King with
a long-range effort which he only just held onto, and then Palmer
almost signed off his loan spell with the winner, denied twice by
last-ditch block tackles which resulted in corners.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Who's going to win this high ball?
Kyle Matthews fires in a shot
Mark Burgess keeps a tight rein on the Wingate centre-forward
Michael Gordon in his normal pose...
Danny Power weighs up his options
Mitch Swain can't keep out the penalty kick that gives Wingate the lead
Michael Gordon attacks down the left flank in teh second half
More wing play from Michael Gordon
Danny Power demonstrates his length kick technique
Kyle Matthews takes evasive action!
Anthony Page wins this header
Taking the play to Wingate ... Kyle Matthews
Who's going to win this high ball?
Photos: James Brown |
