MATCH REPORTS 2008-09
 

HAREFIELD UNITED RES. 2  NORTHWOOD RES. 2
 

After their opening day success, the Woods reserve side came back down to earth in the early stages of this local derby as the Hares bounded into a 2-0 lead in quick time.

It took the second goal for the side to begin to waken themselves up though and when they did start to play, things took a different turn.

Danny Brown, who had been on first-team duty at the weekend, pulled a goal back with a fine left-foot volley from the edge of the penalty-area.

Harefield still held that one-goal advantage at the break but in the second half they never really threatened as Northwood moved the ball around better and started creating chances of their own.

However, the important second goal eluded the side so changes were made, both to personnel and to formation, switching to a 3-4-3 attack which finally made the breakthrough.

There was just five minutes left on the clock when some clever running from Scott Purdue saw a ball played into the area and only half-cleared. Danny Brown latched onto it and ghosted past his marker before clinically firing home with another left-foot strike across the 'keeper and into the far corner.

The draw sees the Woods drop to third in the North Division table and the reserves now travel to Bracknell Town on Saturday before a home game against leaders North Greenford United next Tuesday night.