MATCH REPORTS 2008-09
 

AFC HAYES RES. 1  NORTHWOOD RES. 2
 

An in-form Northwood side made the short trip across the A40 to local rivals AFC Hayes, who themselves are in the middle of a good run of results.

Northwood made three changes, with Jazz Rose making his first start in almost a year, Ryan Tackley coming back from a long-term injury and new signing Getro Kilapi making his debut.

The Woods started the game like a team in form, and were in the ascendancy from the first whistle, with Hayes struggling to get near the ball. Northwood's fast, slick passing was proving to be a problem and the chances were starting to come, but with top scorer Hunt being rested chances went begging.

That was until the 20th minute, when a great cross from Hugo Figueiredo was met by Courtney Francis with a powerful header that flew into the top corner to give Northwood an early lead.

The goal seemed to inspire Hayes, who fought back hard and started to gain a foothold in the game as Northwood began to defend deeper and deeper.

After 30 minutes, Northwood allowed a Hayes midfield player too much room, and from fully 25 yards out he hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner to level the scores.

Further disaster struck Northwood five minutes later when goalkeeper Mark Britt came out of his box to stop a long ball over the top and he fell from the challenge, injuring his ankle. The unfortunate 'keeper was carried off and replaced by Simon Dean.

Northwood finished the half as they began it, missing two glorious chances through Laurie Walters and Francis, the latter very unlucky with a shot which came back off the underside of the bar and away to safety.

The second half began with Northwood being forced to make a second change due to Rose feeling the pace and he was replaced by John Dailey, who went into the centre of the park with Scott Purdue dropping in at full-back. The half began with Hayes having the majority of the possession but keeper Dean had very little to do, with the defence holding very strong.

On the hour Northwood struck with a quick break and from the resulting cross Walters headed home to restore their lead. At the same time Francis went down injured and had to be replaced by Carl Hunt, completing all three substitutions early in the game. The fun was not yet over, though, as five minutes later Tackley had to come off with cramp, leaving Northwood to play last 25 minutes with 10 men.

But they managed to hold out to the end with Hayes pressing for the equaliser, thought to no avail. If only Northwood had taken their first half chances such a nervous finish would have been avoided. With six wins now on the trot the bandwagon rolls on to Sandhurst at the weekend.