The Woods made the long journey up the A12 to take on Eastern Counties League side Stanway Rovers and played out their third 1-1 draw in five pre-season contests so far in another useful work-out in much less testing conditions than in recent matches. 

With a few players missing, Imran Uche, Chris Gosling, Jaiden Irish, Harry Lodovica and Dan Pett amongst those unavailable, they were able to welcome prospective skipper Sacha M'Baye back to marshal the defence; only for him to limp off with an ankle injury during the first-half. So, with all that in mind the opening forty-five minutes was a test that Northwood came through pretty well.

Kweku Lucan, who has started the new season in good form, was bundled over for a free-kick just outside the box after just nine minutes. Matt Cooper struck it well, up and over the wall but the ball crashed back off the crossbar with the goalkeeper Dan Wheeler beaten.

Kyran Worrell used his pace well to get through the home defence on 16 minutes but the slide his shot the wrong side of the post while at the other end the Woods defence was holding out well with the two youngsters Liam McCrohan and Ethan Flanagan looking solid enough. 

The opening goal came after 34 minute when a good ball slipped Kweku Lucan in on goal and his new-found confidence showed as he skipped past the 'keeper and then passed the ball coolly into the empty net for his fourth pre-season goal in five starts. 

Again there could have been more goals from Northwood, with Alex Witham and Marley Hamilton going close a couple of times but the final ball was still lacking occasionally. Then, towards the end of the half Stanway notched their only real effort on goal from distance, a stinging shot that was well taken by goalkeeper Rob Partington. 

The Woods started the second half with the same line-up but soon made changes with five triallists introduced for another opportunity to impress. The home side stepped up their own efforts at the same time, looked far more dangerous going forward and levelled the scores after 58 minutes when a free-kick was delivered accurately from the right and Marley Andrew glanced his header inside the far post for a neat finish. 

Northwood could have regained the lead when a flowing move saw them break two on one but a poor cross was easily cut-out while other shots from distance were no threat.