Northwood’s Wembley dreams were ended as they were comprehensively beaten at a frosty Chestnut Avenue. Woods were decimated by injuries and suspensions, Bradley Hewitt the latest injury victim and the makeshift line-up was no match for the Ryman Premier opposition.

The home side began brightly with Danny Power and Scott Orphanou getting a couple of early headers in on the Carshalton goal. But it was the Robins who took the lead on 17 minutes as Kenny Beaney finished emphatically from the edge of the box after he was picked out by Richard Jolly’s cross.

Northwood had opportunities to restore parity, with Orphanou turning smartly in the box but shooting into the arms of goalkeeper Nick Hamann, whilst Eugene Ofori might have done better after latching onto a ball over the Carshalton defence but Hamann saved with his legs.

Woods were punished for their lack of cutting edge as the Robins extended their lead on 35 minutes with Jolly the provider once more, Jones Awuah delivering the finish to a slick Carshalton move.

Northwood’s disappointing evening was effectively over four minutes later as the visitors made it 3-0 as Awauh returned the favour to Jolly who beat Woods’ goalkeeper Bobby Smith with a near post shot.
Hugo Figueiredo was a half-time substitution for Northwood as he replaced Will Hudson, allowing Gary Burrell to move into a more advanced position as the hosts looked to rescue something from the match. But it was Carshalton who continued to look the more dangerous with Karl Murray and Beaney going close.

Ofori made way for Harry Smart on the hour-mark and it wasn’t long before the substitute found himself in a useful position following Burrell’s through-ball, but he made a hash of his attempted volley. Woods continued to press for a consolation but Chris Seeby saw his header cleared off the Carshalton goal-line by David Ray.

At the other end, Smith was quickly off his line to produce s double save to deny Jolly and Craig Faulconbridge. As Woods pushed men forward in search of a goal the inevitable gaps were being left at the back and Justyn Roberts capitalised with a header to make it 4-0 on 70 minutes after Smith had saved Faulconbridge’s initial effort.

Northwood continued to toil for a consolation with Hamann turning Orphanou’s header round the post before the Robin’s stopper gathered a volleyed effort from Power.

Aaron Cato replaced Orphanou on 77 minutes but the fresh legs were unable to fashion a goal for Northwood and Carshalton completed the scoring on 85 minutes as David Woozley headed home a loose ball to completed a thoroughly miserable evening for Northwood. 

Report by ROBIN PIPER