Northwood were ultimately grateful for a point as they came from a behind to claim a draw against their East London opponents in a topsy-turvy affair at Chestnut Avenue. There were a couple of changes to the team which overcame Evesham in the bruising Trophy replay in midweek, Gilbert Nuako replacing Danny Power at left-back for his first competitive start in Northwood colours, whilst attacker Danny Jones made his debut in place of Anton Lewis.

The game took a while to warm up with little in the way of clear-cut chances, although Northwood had a good shout for a penalty turned down as Richard Thomas appeared to handle in the box, while the same player went close with a long range effort which goalkeeper Mitch Swain had covered. Woods gradually began to settle and they could have taken the lead when Michael Peacock was afforded a free-header from Gary Burrell’s corner but the effort flew the wrong side of the post.

Burrell was involved again a few minutes later as Northwood broke quickly from their own half but the ensuing shot was deflected for a corner whilst Chris Seeby tried his luck with a speculative shot which was gathered by Leyton ‘keeper Adam Rafis. Leyton were competing well and they had their moments as former Woods loanee Dean Mason threatened with a couple of mazy runs whilst Peacock and Swain combined to deter Leyton’s Reis Stanislaus.

Woods began to gain the upper hand, and Jones had a shot on the turn which was comfortably saved by Rafis before Orphanou went close with a hooked half-volley from the edge of the box. Northwood deservedly put their noses in front with a nicely worked goal on 40 minutes, the overlapping Seeby sending over a delightful far-post cross which was met by Orphanou, who shot into the opposite corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

Woods’ progress was halted when Leyton drew level three minutes into the second-half after Northwood conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box, Billy Healy heading home unchallenged from Mason’s in-swinging ball. Northwood looked to bounce back from the set-back and Burrell shot across the face of the Leyton goal following a sweeping move, whilst at the other end, Peacock had to dive full length to head behind for a corner as the visitors threatened to take the lead.

Aaron Cato and Ashley Harewood were introduced for Jones and Eugene Ofori as Woods’ manager Dave Anderson looked to freshen things up and Leyton were indebted to Rafis as he produced saves to deny Orphanou  and Cato. But it was the visitors who went ahead on 79 minutes as they punished some slack Northwood defending, Healy setting up Stanislaus, who made no mistake from close-range.

However, Woods delivered the perfect riposte by restoring parity two minutes later as Harewood stormed to the by-line before delivering a fierce cross, which was met by Sam Sharples who executed a smart finish for his first Northwood goal.

The play was breathlessly flowing from end to end as both sides looked for the winner, Cato shooting wide after a jinking run whilst Swain was on hand to deny Leyton substitute Gary Bowes. There was still time for Burrell to send a long range shot over the bar whilst Woods suffered a scare in a goalmouth melee before the danger was eventually cleared, Northwood having to settle for a share of the spoils in a game which could have gone either way.

Report by ROBIN PIPER

Photos by James Brown