Northwood suffered their first league defeat since early December as they lost to the odd goal in five at East Thurrock. Woods went into the game with an unchanged line-up as they looked to maintain their four match unbeaten league run on a very heavy pitch which had to undergo an inspection before being passed fit for play.

Northwood created the first chance of the evening when Scott Orphanou latched onto Chris Seeby’s hanging free-kick by sending a downward header, which was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Richard Wray.

The early promise shown by Northwood proved to be a false dawn as they were subjected to an unrelenting wave of attacks which caused chaos in the Northwood defence. Woods were struggling to contain the Rocks with their direct approach and speedy forwards, and the hosts would have been out of sight had it not been for goalkeeper Bobby Smith, who made a series of outstanding saves to thwart Sam Higgins and Kye Ruel.

However, Smith was finally beaten in the 24th minute as the ball found its way to Ruel, who was lurking at the far post, and he made no mistake to give East Thurrock a deserved lead. In a rare Northwood attack, Danny Power latched onto Gilbert Nuako’s searching through ball to send a shot beyond the advancing Wray, but the ball bounced the wrong side of the post.

The Rocks were soon on the offensive again and more unconvincing defending led to Woods conceding a second goal on 36 minutes as Higgins’ close-range shot spun over the line despite a brave attempted save from Smith.

Manager Dave Anderson immediately rang the changes by replacing Aaron Cato and Chris Seeby with Eugene Ofori and debutant Graham Clark. And the changes reaped dividends as Ofori reduced the deficit two minutes before the half-time break, when he swept home the loose ball after ‘keeper Wray had spilled Michael Peacocks’ hanging free-kick.

But there was still time at the end of the half for Smith to perform more heroics as he kept Northwood in the game with three further saves to deny Higgins and Max Cornhill.

Woods appeared to come out for the second-half in a much more positive frame of mind as they switched to a 4-3-3 formation, and they had an early opportunity as Clark headed back Leon Osei’s deep cross but Ofori’s headed effort was easily dealt with by Wray.

Northwood continued to press and they were rewarded with an equaliser on 59 minutes, as Ofori beat Wray with a shot on the turn following a sweeping move involving John Christian, Clark and Orphanou.
Woods were unable to maintain their improved level of performance, and East Thurrock regained their lead on 69 minutes as Steve Harrison crashed the ball home after Ruel’s initial shot had been blocked.

The game became increasingly scrappy with Woods’ getting increasingly frustrated, which resulted in bookings for Nuako and Bradley Hewitt. Northwood never really looked like getting back in the match, with a long-range Christian shot which flew narrowly wide the closest they came.

Hugo Figueiredo was introduced for Nuako on 77 minutes but the substitute had little opportunity to shine as Woods had to accept their fate and concede defeat on a disappointing evening in South Essex.

Report by ROBIN PIPER