MATCH REPORTS 2007-08
 

STAINES TOWN RES. 4  NORTHWOOD RES. 1
 

Playing two games in a week proved to be too much for Mark Barnham’s young side when they played a more experienced Staines Town outfit. However, a battling first half saw Northwood take the lead with a spectacular strike from Rico Grimm, but they ran out of steam after the break.

Last season Northwood shocked Staines with two 4-1 Capital League victories, the first of which was their first defeat at this level for almost two years, and the Woods also defeated them in this term’s opening league game, so the Wheatsheaf Park side had something to prove!

Staines began brightly and played some good football, but were unable to take any of their chances, through good goalkeeping and some poor finishing, and Woods themselves threatened on occasions.

And Northwood took the lead with a 25 yard screamer into the top corner from Rico Grimm, who although playing as sub for the first team the previous Saturday was only transferred from Staines on Capital League forms a hour before kick off! 

The home side continued to push forwards, and got the equaliser after good work from Marc Charles-Smith, who squared for Nick White to slot home. On 60 minutes following a neat flick from veteran Craig Maskell – once a Premier League player at Southampton – Daniel Meggie raced through to slot home and give Staines the lead with his first touch of the game! 

Home goalkeeper Tom Sherwood had to be alert to block another Northwood attack but Staines drained the energy out of the Woods towards the end. Meggie made it 3-1 with 10 minutes to go before White finished the game off following an excellent ball from Orlu. Only some excellent saves from the Northwood keeper kept the score down in what was a very good all round performance.

The defeat left Northwood still in pole position at the top of the Capital League table, but, having played more games, looking over their shoulder at Dulwich Hamlet – and teams like Staines.