Northwood lost their unbeaten league record under manager Mark Barnham as they slipped to a solitary goal defeat at The South Mimms Travel Stadium.

Woods’ team, still ravaged by illness and injury, showed one change from the draw at Heybridge with Anthony Page returning to the midfield, whilst Gilbert Nuako missed out through injury. Mark Barnham decided to deploy a three-man defence of Michael Peacock, John Sonuga and Danny  Power,  whilst  the influential Brad Hewitt remained on the injury sidelines.

The game began at a blistering pace with early chances at both ends. Hugo Figueiredo sent over an inviting free-kick which was met by Peacock’s head but his effort failed to trouble Scholars’ goalkeeper Matt Bennett whilst Harry Smart latched onto  a Sam Sharples’ cross but his header sailed wide of the target. At the other end Luke Croll saw his close-range header blocked by the Northwood defence.

Woods had a great opportunity to open the scoring when Kyle Matthews’  free-kick was knocked down by Peacock into the path of Page, but he failed to connect with the ball when well-placed and the danger was cleared.

Woods were forced into a change as Jonny Daily replaced Page for his senior debut in a Woods’ shirt. Northwood had to regroup and their main threat continued to be from set-pieces as Bennett flapped at a Figueiredo free-kick. However, Leon Osei did create a chance for himself as he turned smartly but he dragged his shot wide.

Woods didn’t have a monopoly on possession, as Potters Bar threatened with a free-kick awarded on the edge of the box, but Terry Smith’s effort flew straight into the arms of ‘keeper Mitch Swain. And there were a number of chances created at both ends as half-time approached. Smart and Osei spurned good chances for Northwood, whilst Croll  and Leon Skinner went close for the hosts.

Northwood would have been hoping to show more bite in attack but the second-half followed a familiar pattern with most of the play being restricted to the midfield and a lack of ideas in the final third.

Having failed to seriously test the Scholars’ rearguard, Northwood’s frustrations increased as a cross found its way to an unmarked Joe O’Brien whose shot deflected in off the post to give Potters Bar the lead on 77 minutes.

Anton Lewis replaced Sharples as Woods searched for some firepower, but the visitors continued to be restricted to speculative efforts, Daily shooting wide from distance before Smart’s weak shot was comfortably gathered by Bennett.

Daryl  Grimshaw-Campbell replaced the injured  Matthews  as the game moved into the closing stages but Northwood never looked liked getting back into the contest, the final whistle signalling the Scholars first home win since September and Woods  first league defeat in five games.

Report by ROBIN PIPER