Report by ALAN EVANS

Playing in the FA Vase for the first season this Century, Northwood have made it through to the Second Round proper with a third win in the competition during this campaign. It’s the first time since 2012 that the Woods have won three consecutive matches in any FA competition, that time being in the FA Cup.

Both sides went into this cup-tie with issues affecting team selection after management changes at both clubs immediately after the last round in the competition. For the Woods, who had six recent signings cup-tied, they also only fielded three of the starting line-up from that previous round fixture and seven of the 16-man squad. They were also missing Kieron Lake-Bryan, injured while on international duty but were able to welcome back Kayne Connor from his. Lewis Everett was drafted in for his Woods debut between the sticks. The visiting Stags had seen a complete change as none of their named players had been part of their previous 5-2 victory at Whitchurch United just four weeks earlier, having also had a complete rebuild.

Former Woods Under 18 striker Rowan Daly was starting only his second game for the senior side and was a threat to the opposition from the start. One dangerous run into the box appeared to be halted by a trip but the Referee waved the penalty appeals away. But he did get Northwood off the mark after just fourteen minutes when flicking home a near-post corner with a neat header to settle any nerves early on; his first goal at this level.

Midhurst rarely threatened in the first half, though the pace of Linus Jordan caused a few issues and one Rafiq Bettamer clearance was headed only just wide of his own goal, but it was Northwood who were still on the front foot and they went close on two occasions in quick succession. Lucas Da Silva Luz had a header saved by goalkeeper Zidane Khan and then Parris Mason’s shot from the resulting corner only found the side-netting.

That pressure paid off on 32 minutes though when Mason made no mistake from close-range to net his first goal of the season and double the Woods advantage.

Everett made sure that the advantage held through to the half-time break with a comfortable save to deny Jordan and the visitors made the decision to change goalkeepers at half-time with Khan replaced by 17-year-old former Bognor Youth keeper Alfie Barnes. The Woods also made a change with their own U18 James King replacing Da Silva Luz.

Northwood continued to edge things but Barnes made a couple of early saves and the Stags forced a couple of corners which led to a couple of scrambles in the box which Midhurst were unable to force home.

Amara Fofana replaced a tiring Connor and at the other end, Arnold Mengi went close when driving into the area and firing a shot across goal which was inches wide of the far post while King was doing well on the left, combining with Sankou Jabbi, and had a couple of good efforts that were saved well by Barnes.

Bettamer was forced off with injury on 77 minutes with skipper Jonathan Moura dropping back to fill in at the back while Josh Havard was introduced from the bench. And the Woods finished the game strongly. Lewis Buamah appeared to have headed home his first goal for the club on 83 minutes but it was ruled out for a push somewhere in the box but a third goal soon followed.

It came from Mengi who made a strong run down the middle to pick up the ball and hit a good low strike which had the diving Barnes beaten at last.

A good day for the makeshift Northwood side who will be pleased with the clean sheet and a place in the next round of the competition. Next up is more cup action with Redhill the visitors to the Skyline Roofing Stadium next Saturday in League Cup competition.

Photos by KEN GREEN

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