Saturday 8th March 1975
NORTHWOOD LET IN FOUR – AGAIN
NORTHWOOD 2 NORTH GREENFORD UNITED 4
Northwood conceded four for the second time this season in the Middlesex League as in poor conditions they floundered against North Greenford. The pitch had been passed fit on Saturday morning, but a deluge before and during the game reduced the match to a lottery.
The visitors adapted to the conditions far better and their tactics were simple and effective. Their big back-four cleared their lines quickly, almost overlooking mid-field were conditions were at their worst, and at the front they had the strikers who were prepared to chase for any chance they could get.
The Woods often tried one pass too many in the heavy conditions, and they were swallowed up by the mud or the fast-covering North Greenford outfit. The visitors grabbed the early goal they needed when Woods’ defence hesitated following a long ball, and Kessell could do nothing to stop the North Greenford winger touching the ball home.
Northwood woke up after this, and Tidd was unlucky when his cross shot was scrambled off the line. Woods grabbed the equaliser in the 20th minute when Franklin latched onto a through ball from Pearce and hammered the ball past the helpless keeper.
Soon after this Franklin received a nasty knee injury and was almost reduced to a passenger for the remainder of the first half.
The match swung from end to end and both sides had chances before North Greenford took the lead again. Hesitancy by the Woods allowed Jones a shot, and although Kessell parried it, Peters bent low to head inside the near post as Harland made a despairing bid to clear.
When Cooper replaced Franklin in the second half, Northwood began to improve and with Tidd trying to inspire his colleagues against his former club, the side showed a lot more spirit. Cooper hit several dangerous crosses into the area, but the final touch was missing, and then Cooper himself position himself well, only to flash a shot over the bar.
In response North Greenford attacked down the left and won a corner, from which Jones had time and space to score at the near post. The Woods never gave up, and fought back strongly, and when Pearce headed on Stone’s throw, Cooper was on the spot to head firmly into the net.
Northwood were now in command, and they pressured the visitors with a series of attacks. But with ten minutes left the visitors settled matters when a defensive error allowed them a simple chance.
Northwood: Kessell, Harland, Mills, Gould, Heslop, Tidd, Roberts, Pearce, Clarke, Stone, Franklin, sub. Cooper.
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