Saturday 4th September 1976
NORTHWOOD IN FIVE-GOAL BLITZ
NORTHWOOD 5 HANWELL TOWN 0
A goal blitzkrieg in the second-half completely flattened Northwood's old rivals Hanwell Town at Northwood Park on Saturday. After a goalless first-half, Northwood resolved at half-time not to take any prisoners, and four goals in 15 minutes more than secured a couple of Middlesex League points for them.
At the start of the second-half Hanwell Town came out attacking in force. Although they were unable to create a clear-cut chance, the Woods’ back four had to show their worth to keep it that way.
Northwood badly needed .a goal to calm them down and it came after 12 minutes of the second-half. Pearce lifted a cross into the box and while everyone thought it was going too far, Ellis reacted like lightning. He sprinted beyond the far post, rose in the jack-knife position and headed past a bewildered goalkeeper.
It was the beginning of the end for Hanwell. A miscued shot went 30 feet in the air and all stood still – with the exception of Ellis, who darted in amongst a crowded box and sent a bullet header under the crossbar. Inspired by the magic of Ellis, Northwood came back , looking for more. The visitors bravely pushed men forward to try to grab a goal, but this only served to expose their defence further.
Jones went on one of his hip-swinging, surging runs and contrived to round the 'keeper three times before he drilled the ball home. More goals had to come, and the fourth arrived when Franklin broke clear and rounded the 'keeper before slotting the ball home from an acute angle.
Ellis was looking for his hat-trick, and he went close on two occasions with stinging drives, the second following a tremendous piece of football that started in defence and grew with a series of one-twos upfield, with Tidd the architect.
The final Northwood goal came from Junior Jones, whose effort would normally have had everyone in ecstasy but as the fifth goal it was nonchalantly accepted by his team mates. He picked the ball up just inside the Hanwell half and made for goal. Two defenders came and went, he dummied to shoot from 30 yards, took the ball on two more paces and blasted the ball high into the roof of the net.
The rout complete, Northwood relaxed but nearly paid the price as Currell had to dive bravely at the feet of a Hanwell forward on two occasions. The Woods were worthy winners but they owed a lot to Tidd and Pearce, who kept the side going when the first-half frustrations were showing.
Northwood: Currell, Ellis, Heslop, Gould, Merison, Tidd, Curran, Pearce, Ellis, Jones, Franklin. Sub: Byrne.
|