MATCH REPORTS 2008-09
 

With boss Mark Barnham away on holiday, Allied Counties Manager Phil Hatcher stepped up to take control of the Woods first Suburban League game for a few years as Fleet Town, relegated from the Premier Division last season, rolled into town.

Abdul Yoki had a run-out following injury and there was a place for a name familiar to Northwood fans from over a decade ago as Richard Vercesi played in central defence. Richard was the player who scored the only goal of the game of Banstead which saw the Surrey side knock the Woods out of the FA Vase quarter-finals way back in 1997 and he has been training with the Woods after a couple of years out of the game.

Northwood got out of the blocks quickly and started playing well from the start, knocking the ball around comfortably and keeping possession. It took quite some time to open the scoring but that came after 35 minutes as Yoki played a defence-splitting pass and Laurie Walters finished well with a crisp strike from the edge of the box.

The pressure continued and the Woods were rewarded with an important second goal just before the break. This time it was Walters who turned provider with a through-ball and there was an element of luck when the Fleet 'keeper kicked his clearance against his own defender. The ball ricocheted against the post and then fell kindly for Carl Hunt to score from close-range.

With a two-goal cushion, Yoki was withdrawn at half-time and replaced by Portuguese striker Hugo Figueiredo and it was he who created the third goal on the hour. Another simple ball through a square-defence and Hunt raced onto it to go past the 'keeper and roll the ball home.

It was game over at this stage but substitute Alec Gediking made a good attacking run into the box only to be pulled down by the 'keeper. A penalty was the result and Hunt gratefully stepped up to fire home and complete his hat-trick.

The only downside to the game was conceding a late equaliser. Defending deep, the ball was pumped in and Fleet grabbed a consolation with a header at the far post.

Overall, a bright start for the young side and they will go to Harefield United on Tuesday night in good heart. The win leaves Northwood in second place after the first set of games, behind Amersham Town who won their opening game 8-2 at Cove.