Northwood endured a disappointing afternoon for the second successive Saturday as they slipped to defeat in this mid-table clash at the Powerday Stadium.
Manager Scott Dash sprung a surprise as he handed goalkeeper Caolan Doyle his senior Northwood debut, the youngster acquitting himself well as he replaced the previously ever-present Luke Sheldrick. There was also a return at left-back for Matt Cooper while Alex Witham and Zaied Sabti returned to the starting line-up, the former slotting in behind Ben Pattie in the attacking midfielder role.
Woods were quickly into their stride and they opened the scoring on five minutes as Witham linked up with Kyran Worrell before feeding Sabti who beat Aaron Bufton in the Hanwell goal with a low shot from the edge of the box for his sixth league goal of the season.
However, Northwood's joy was short-lived as familiar failings at defending corners were
in evidence again as Dwayne Duncan headed home Jack Waldren's corner to restore parity on eight minutes.
After the bright start the contest became increasingly scrappy with both sides struggling to get to grips with proceedings, Worrell shooting wide from distance for Northwood and Oliver Duffy doing likewise for the Geordies while Dan Newton was off target with a header from a Sabti corner.
Woods began to regain their attacking rhythm and they went close to regaining the lead as Chris Gosling played in Witham but he was denied by the outstretched foot of Bufton.
But the game was turned on its head before half-time as Northwood conceded two goals in four minutes. Harry Rush executed a close-range finish on 41 minutes after good work from Gareth Chendlik before former Wood Louis Bircham posted a goal of the season contender with a sublime volley to make it 3-1 a minute before the break.
Northwood made a double substitution at the start of the second half as they looked to retrieve the situation, Pattie and Yahya El-Khabouche making way for Dan Pett and Kieran Asumadu-Sakyi. And Pett had an early opportunity to make an impact as he latched onto Worrell's through-ball but his heavy touch enabled Bufton to clear the danger.
The visitors were enjoying plenty of possession but they were struggling to make an impact, although Sabti went close as his in-swinging corner bounced off the Hanwell crossbar and Newton fired in a shot from distance which was comfortably dealt with by Bufton.
Kweku Lucan entered the fray on 66 minutes with Worrell making way but Woods continued to struggle in the final third with little to show for their neat approach play.
In fact it was the Geordies who threatened to increase their lead as substitute Zaine Gangadeen went close with a near post flick.
Time was running out for Northwood, but to their credit they kept plugging away, a slick move involving Lucan and Pett ended with Witham dragging his shot wide before Newton's diving header cleared the Hanwell crossbar.
However, Woods efforts were in vain as the contest was brought to a close with no additions to the scoreline, Northwood now facing a real battle to prevent their promising season fizzling out as they prepare to face three of the top four sides in their closing games. |