Northwood came away from the Cricklefield Stadium with a point, having played the last quarter of the game with ten men after Mark Burgess was dismissed for a professional foul. Played on a rock hard pitch, both sides attempted to play some football but neither goalkeeper was seriously tested during the course of the evening as the defences held the upper-hand.

Woods had to make do without the injured Eugene Ofori, who joined fellow striker Kyle Matthews on the injury list, Garry Senior stepping in to accompany Hugo Figueiredo in attack, the only change from Saturday’s opening day win.

The game began at a blistering pace with Northwood having an early chance as Senior sent over an inviting cross for Gary Meakin, but the wing-back’s volleyed effort was wide of the mark.
At the other end, Forest’s Ian Walsh went on a forceful run but the ensuing shot was easy for Mitch Swain in the Northwood goal.

Woods were persevering with their quick, incisive passing game on the difficult surface and Harry Smart’s defence-splitting ball left Figueiredo with only Sam Tanner to beat but his attempted lob fell gently into the arms of the Forest ‘keeper. Northwood were working themselves into some useful positions but once again the quality in the final third was lacking, Figueiredo being crowded out as he dallied on a shot after good work from Burrell, whilst Rob Ursell chipped his shot over the bar following a neat one-two with Figueiredo.
Woods weren’t enjoying all the possession and Forest’s Danny Gabriel was inches away from scoring with a 25-yard free-kick.

Northwood continued to press but were unable to find the finish to complement their neat approach play, Gary Burrell shooting over following a short corner and Senior heading wide from Meakin’s free-kick to the far post. In fact, Woods were grateful to Chris Seeby on the stoke of half-time, when he averted the danger with Gabriel almost through on goal.

Northwood’s frustrating evening continued after the half-time break, Seeby heading wide from Ursell’s free-kick whist Burrell scuffed his shot following Senior’s lay-off. The visitors made a change just before the hour-mark as Smart made way for Page in the midfield.

Ursell was the next to go close for Woods as his deflected shot dropped agonisingly wide of the post.
But Woods’ momentum was curtailed on 67 minutes after the influential Burgess was shown the red card for pulling back the Waltham Forest attacker as he threatened to break clear. Northwood changed to a flat back four and they immediately survived a handball shout against them as Figueiredo charged a shot down in the box.

Ursell was sacrificed for Sam Sharples on 73 minutes as Woods looked to bolster the middle of the park, and the change worked as the hosts were unable to make their numerical advantage count, Luke Stanley’s deflected shot the nearest they came to scoring.

Northwood were ultimately grateful for a hard-earned point and another clean sheet, although the lack of a cutting edge in front of goal will be of concern to manager Dave Anderson.

Report by ROBIN PIPER