Steve Hale's first game in charge pitted his new-look side against Ryman Premier Wealdstone in the Middlesex Senior Cup, and he will be fairly pleased with the overall performance if not the result, which stretched the Woods winless run to sixteen matches. 

Mitch Swain returned in goal, John Christian from injury, and there were starting debuts for Howard Hall, Zac Gill, Warren Whitely and Tom Windsor, while Dean Wallace was ruled out through suspension. Wealdstone also rang the changes, resting several players with an eye to their forthcoming FA Trophy game at Newport County, but included former Woods striker Scott Fitzgerald up front.

Northwood caused the early problems with Romaine Walker jinking into the box and Whitely making inroads down the left, but neither was able to trouble the goalkeeper Sam Leggett. The new manager's main priority is to stop leaking goals and the Woods defence stayed solid for the opening twenty minutes before Wealdstone began to threaten, with Swain making a good save from former Chelsea youngster Nikki Ahamad.

Swain also made a comfortable take from Danny Spendlove's chip and then a fine diving stop to save from Martin Carter, making his first start for the Stones for several years. The pressure almost paid off on 38 minutes when a quick break and some swift movement left Ben Long with a good opportunity, but he shot across the face of goal and wide of the far post.

Wealdstone made one change at half-time, replacing Spendlove with Kieran Forbes, but the Woods appeared to have ridden the storm and things were more even as the half progressed. Whitely did well on the hour, getting past two defenders but his final ball failed to pick out a Northwood forward in the box.

Chances were few and far between on this night of freezing temperatures, and Forbes missed a chance of putting his side in front when he hooked a shot over the bar and he followed that with a long range effort which Swain tipped over acrobatically.

The Woods could have stolen a victory on 76 minutes when Walker finally got the better of the two centre-halves around him but he snatched his shot and hit it wide of the post with just Leggett to beat.

It was a let-off that the Stones managed to punish Northwood for on 81 minutes, when they conceded a corner. There was a touch of misfortune involved as Gill had to leave the field due to a blood injury. While having treatment, Forbes knocked in a corner and without the tall defender in his position, the ball sailed over everyone and in off the far post.

Fitzgerald hit the crossbar with a long-range effort in the final minute and then Carter headed a Ahamad cross wide of the target as Wealdstone finished on top to make sure there was no chance of extra-time.

Report by ALAN EVANS

Photos to follow...

Photos by James Brown