Northwood came from a goal down to take the points for a second successive game as they overcame their Middlesex rivals in a competitive affair at Chestnut Avenue. Played in front of the best home crowd of the season, both sides contributed to an entertaining game with Woods posting two second-half goals after falling behind to a first-half penalty.

There were a couple of changes to the Northwood line-up, Anthony Page returning to the midfield and Aaron Cato making his home debut on the left flank with the suspended John Christian and Mark Burgess making way.

The game began at a blistering pace and Woods’ goalkeeper Mitch Swain was forced into an early save as he parried David Blower’s fierce cross-shot with Michael Peacock clearing the loose ball to safety.
Northwood began to enjoy plenty of possession and Gary Burrell sent a shot across the face of the Enfield goal before another long-range attempt flew narrowly wide of the upright. Woods continued to see plenty of the ball with Cato looking to make an impression with a couple of jinking runs into the Enfield box, while Scott Orphanou was unable to get enough purchase on his header following a Chris Seeby cross.

Enfield were getting their fair share of the ball but they were being restricted to long-range efforts, Swain dealing comfortably with Dave Bastian’s deflected shot. However, the deadlock was broken as Enfield were awarded a penalty when Anthony Page collided with Paul Marks after the latter had despatched his shot over the Northwood crossbar after Valenti’s shot was forced out by Swain. Valenti stepped up to despatch the penalty-kick to give the visitors the lead on 32 minutes.

Woods responded positively to the setback and Scott Orphanou tested keeper Rob Blackburne with a low drive which was turned around the post by the Enfield stopper. the home side were forced into a change on 39 minutes as Page suffered an ankle injury, debutant Gilbert Nuako his replacement. But Northwood maintained their rhythm and should have levelled after Blackburne spilled the ball but Ashley Harewood was unable to convert the loose ball. At the other end, Woods suffered a scare on the stroke of half-time as Chris Wild’s header was cleared off the line.

Woods were indebted to Swain immediately after the restart as he denied Valenti in a one on one situation to keep his side in the game after the Northwood defence had switched off.

Harewood made way for Eugene Ofori on the hour-mark as Northwood stepped up their search for the equaliser, which duly arrived on 61 minutes as Brad Hewitt latched onto Danny Power’s cross to bundle the ball home for his third goal of the season. Hugo Figueiredo was introduced for Cato on 66 minutes as Woods went looking for the winning goal although Swain was on hand to deny Valenti once again after the latter broke clear of the Northwood defence.

Woods were gradually turning the screw on the Enfield defence with Blackburne forcing out a stinging drive from Burrell. And Northwood were rewarded for their endeavours when they scored the winning goal on 79 minutes, Ofori timing his jump to perfection to head home Burrell’s deep cross following a slick interchange of passes. Woods went close to adding a third as Burrell capped a jinking run with a shot which flew past the far post.

Having utilised all their substitutes, Northwood had to play the closing minutes with ten men after losing Hewitt to a nasty cut above the eye in the 87th minute. But a Valenti free-kick which sailed harmlessly wide was the closest Enfield came to scoring, whilst Burrell was denied by Blackburne once again as the curtain came down on an impressive Northwood win.

Report by ROBIN PIPER