An early goal proved enough to win this poor game for the visiting Aylesbury side against a Northwood team that produced a very flat performance all-round. There were two new signings to make their Northwood debuts, with defender Tom Gilbey joining on dual-registration from Staines Town in place of broken leg victim Pat Adamson while George Lutaaya came in from Cheshunt for a midfield role.

The visitors made the better start and after just thirteen minutes Ty Deacon did well down the right and got in an accurate cross which was met by a hooked volley from striker Brian Haule and the ball flew past goalkeeper Brendan Hazlett to put the Moles in front.

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The Woods rallied quickly with Mahlondo Martin having a shot saved by goalkeeper Ashley Jenkins and then the same player put a good ball through to Jermaine Osei and his attempt to dink the ball over Jenkins proved just unsuccessful as the ‘keeper blocked. Top scorer Osei had only just returned from a hamstring strain but two minutes later he was limping off having injured the other hamstring and with it the Woods attacking prowess visibly weakened.

However, there was little action from either side as the half wore on. The closest Northwood came to a goal was after 31 minutes as a Michael Buckley free-kick was mis-kicked by Aston Goss as he attempted to clear and it needed another defender to clear away the danger.

Then, just before the break, Tayshan Hayden-Smith made good progress before finding Martin but his effort flew well over.

After 53 minutes Martin returned the favour with a neat ball which put Hayden-Smith in on goal but again Jenkins proved equal to it, blocking his attempted chip and then recovering the loose ball.

Aylesbury had made little inroads but three minutes later a shot from Deacon was blocked by Isaac Olorunfemi and then a cross from Brian Haule was blocked at the near-post by Hazlett.

Olorunfemi then turned up in an attacking position but fired a shot into the side-netting but the Woods attempts to get back into the game began to flounder as substitutions broke up any flow to the match.

It was after 82 minutes that the Woods had their best chance to level things up. Harry Newman raced down the right and when his cross was only half-blocked it fell kindly to substitute Wilson Chingoka but his finish lacked composure and the ball flew over the top.

Time was almost up when Northwood were awarded a free-kick just outside the box and Martin did well to get his shot on target but Jenkins was equal to it and with his save all three points went back to Aylesbury.