Saturday 2nd April 1977
WOODS THROUGH TO THE FINAL
NORTHWOOD 3 BEDFONT 1
Northwood reached the final of the Middlesex League Cup on Saturday when they overcame the powerful Bedfont outfit. Their visitors arrived as Middlesex Intermediate Cup finalists and the side having dropped the least league points this season. After just 20 minutes of Northwood at their best they had been reduced to also-rans.
In front of a large crowd Northwood attacked from the start, and the visitors were unable to settle. Their back four were never allowed an inch of room as the Woods’ foraging forwards tore into them.
After 15 minutes wearing down the visitors Northwood struck in style. Another promising attack, stimulated by the brilliant Harvey, broke down and a defender tried a back pass that in normal circumstances would have been successful. But Ellis was alive to the situation, and before anyone had time to think he had grasped the ball and crashed it home from the acutest of angles.
If this wasn't enough, Northwood bounced back within a minute and were two nil in front. Livingstone received the ball on the wing and sent his defender one way and then the other before hitting over a low cross. Cooper came racing in and met the ball with a firm volley that hit the net before Bedfont knew what had happened.
The Woods were now right in the mood and Bedfont were reeling. Goals in the 15th and 16th minute had created havoc with the visitors, and three minutes later the game was virtually over.
Tidd, who had been working well in midfield, found space for himself on the wing. He skilfully beat two players in a fine run, reached the goal line and beat yet another defender before sending over an inch-perfect cross that Livingstone met with an accurate header that flew into the net.
By half-time Northwood could easily have been five or six in front, and yet it was Bedfont who had scored. Currell punched out a deep cross to beyond the box, but before he could recover Stone had buried the ball in the net with a superb cross shot.
Bedfont were awarded a penalty, with 10 minutes to go. With everyone holding their breath, Currell made a spectacular save to send Bedfont away empty-handed, and the Woods into a final that their team work deserved and the five minute flurry made certain of.
Northwood: Currell, Heslop, O’Donnell, Merison, Mills, Harvey, Tidd, Gould, Livingstone, Ellis, Cooper. Sub. Manley.
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