Northwood recorded a memorable win as they reached the first round proper of the competition for the first time after overcoming Conference South Basingstoke Town. Woods had to do it the hard way by coming from a goal behind, but they were deserved winners over a team playing two levels higher up the football pyramid.

Manager Dave Anderson’s team selection was restricted by a number of cup-tied players and on-going injury problems, Danny Power coming in for Gilbert Nuako at left-back while Anton Lewis replaced Danny Jones. There was also a goalkeeping change with Aaron Bufton replacing Mitch Swain, who continues to be hampered by a foot problem.

Basingstoke were immediately on the attack forcing a couple of quick corners while Scott Orphanou drew a save from Basingstoke goalkeeper Ross Kitteridge after the Woods’ striker turned smartly in the box.
Northwood had produced a confident start but they were rocked back as the visitors opened the scoring on nine minutes. With Northwood’s Michael Peacock lying prostrate with a shoulder injury, the ball was worked out wide to full-back Robert Rice who unleashed an unstoppable shot past Bufton via the underside of the crossbar to give Basingstoke the lead.

Buoyed by the goal, the visitors created a succession of chances, Rice heading over from Matt Warner’s cross whilst Fraser Franks managed to get a head on Matt Finlay’s free-kick but the effort lacked direction.
Northwood stood up well to the pressure, with Brad Hewitt and Peacock immense in central defence and the hosts gave themselves the perfect half-time tonic by equalising a minute before the break, Peacock crashing home a close-range free-kick after Basingstoke were penalised for a back-pass to goalkeeper Kitteridge.

The home side began the second-half with Lewis adopting a more advanced position, and the attacking change began to cause problems for Basingstoke, Orphanou having a shot cleared over his own bar by Ashley Mitchell, whilst Chris Seeby headed narrowly wide from the resultant Gary Burrell corner. Woods continued to enjoy the better of the possession, posing further questions of the visitors’ defence, Peacock shooting narrowly over after a quick thinking from Burrell at a free-kick.

Hugo Figueiredo was introduced for Lewis on 68 minutes to add fresh impetus to the Woods’ attack, but Northwood had to do a spot of defending as David Pratt sent a near post header over the home crossbar. Northwood were soon on the attack once again, and their increasing confidence was characterised by man of the match Orphanou as he tried his luck with an audacious overhead kick. Woods were looking the more likely as they threatened again, with Eugene Ofori going close with a header from another Burrell free-kick.

And the decisive goal duly arrived  in somewhat unusual circumstances as Kitteridge attempted to clear Figueiredo’s hanging cross, but the unfortunate ‘keeper only succeeded in punching the ball into his own net to give Northwood a precious lead with ten minutes left on the clock.

Ofori sent a rasping shot over the Basingstoke crossbar as Woods looked to put the icing on the cake but there was to be no further drama as Northwood safely saw out the remainder of the match to put themselves in the hat for the next round.

Report by ROBIN PIPER

Photos by James Brown