Northwood returned to winning ways with a much improved performance and a brace from Aaron Cato to win for the second time this season at Theobalds Lane following their  League Cup success back in October. There was a new look to the Northwood line-up with long term injury victims Ryan Tackley and Kyle Matthews making their first league starts following their lay-offs, and Eugene Ofori’s decision to make himself unavailable meant Chris Seeby starting in an unfamiliar striker’s role.

On a good playing surface considering the recent heavy rain, Woods began in a positive fashion with Bradley Hewitt heading over from Matthews’ free-kick before Tackley tried his luck with a speculative effort which flew wide of the target.

Cheshunt were enjoying their fair share of possession, and it was the hosts who went close to scoring when Tom Tresadern’s shot rebounded off the woodwork, Chris Meikle and Tresadern’s follow up shots being blocked by the Woods’ defence. The Ambers continued to press for the opening goal and Northwood ‘keeper Bobby Smith was quickly off his line to smother the danger as Jack Cornhill threatened.

But it was Northwood who managed to put their noses in front on the half-hour mark through Cato, Leon Osei’s cross finding Seeby, whose blocked shot fell to Anthony Page, who threaded the ball through to Cato to apply a neat finish. Woods pressed for a second goal and they went close as Page’s header flashed across the face of goal after Danny Power and John Christian combined to create the opening whilst the lively Cato shot narrowly over.

Northwood were forced into a change shortly before the half-time break, Hewitt succumbing to the rib injury he suffered earlier in the game after a collision with Ambers’ goalkeeper Aaron Omand, Harry Smart the replacement with Seeby moving back into central defence. Smart was immediately in the action as he was fouled just outside the home penalty box, but Woods were unable to capitalise as Osei’s free-kicked was comfortably gathered by Omand.

The visitors were immediately into their stride at the start of the second-half with Osei having a couple of opportunities, sending a shot across the face of goal before a neat turn led to him sending a half volley fizzing over the Cheshunt crossbar. At the other end Bradley Harrison wasn’t far away with a header following a Dave Hicks free-kick.

Woods continued to look confident with some good approach play, Power and Christian both trying their luck with long range shots which were shy of the target. Hugo Figueiredo replaced the tiring Matthews on 70 minutes and Northwood continued to press but the final product was missing as Osei dragged a shot wide after good work from Power.

However, the impressive Cato delivered a moment of magic on 76 minutes when he scored his second of the afternoon with a delightful free-kick which curled inside Omand’s near post to give Northwood a two goal buffer.

Cheshunt looked for a way back and Smith saved bravely at the feet of Meikle as the Ambers threatened an immediate riposte. However, Smith was unable to prevent a nervous finale for Northwood as Harrison broke clear before lifting the ball over the Woods’ keeper to give Cheshunt hope with five minutes left on the clock.

Northwood had a good shout for a penalty turned down as Gary Schillachi appeared to handle in the box whist Cato saw his low shot saved by Omand in a lively close to the match. But there was to be no further drama, enabling Northwood to celebrate a well deserved victory which completed a rare treble over the Ambers, putting them in good heart for the visit of Waltham Forest to Chestnut Avenue on Tuesday.

Report by ROBIN PIPER

Photos by James Brown