Biggleswade 0  Northwood 1

Wednesday 25th July 2018

NORTHWOOD
1	Luke Sheldrick
2	Karl Stevenson ©
3	Miguel Matos
4	Wilson Chingoka
5	Austin Schofield
6	Ben Andreos
7	Adam Murad
8	Cameron Ferguson
9	Ben Pattie
10	James Ewington
11	Matt Cooper
Substitutes
12	Rhys Shirley-Clarke
14	Davis Boateng
15	Sam Jenkins
16	Hakeem Nyariki
17	Bradley Marriott
18	Paolo Montella
19	Stan Anum

Northwood made it five wins out of five as their pre-season programme continued with a successful trip to Bedfordshire.

There were a number of changes to the Woods' line-up as manager Dean Barker had to juggle with injuries and holiday unavailability once again. There were first starts for Austin Schofield and Adam Murad in central defence and on the right flank respectively, while there was a familiar face in midfield as last season's Player of the Year, Wilson Chingoka made a welcome return.

In a competitive opening period, clear cut chances were at a premium. Despite some promising approach play, Northwood were restricted to long range efforts from Chingoka and Ben Pattie that failed to trouble the Biggleswade keeper.

Woods stepped up the pace early in the second half and they got the breakthrough on 61 minutes as a delightful far post  cross from Sam Jenkins picked out James Ewington who dispatched a sweet volley for his fourth pre-season goal.

Jenkins and Ewington linked up well again but this time the latter saw his shot blocked before Miguel Matos supplied a cross from which the Northwood marksman headed into the arms of the keeper.

Woods utilised all their substitutes once again and Paulo Montella started and almost completed a swift counter-attack as he combined with Stan Anum and Rhys Shirley-Clarke but the final shot flew narrowly over the bar; the last action of note on another useful workout against tough opposition.

REPORT by Robin Piper