MATCH REPORTS 2008-09
 

NORTHWOOD RESERVES 1  AFC HAYES RESERVES 0
 

When the referee, after four long minutes of stoppage time, finally blew his whistle, there was a deep sigh of relief from the Northwood fans as the lads had achieved a 1-0 victory over a good young Hayes side.

The game, though, was marred by too many niggling fouls, mostly committed by the Woods. It was a stop - start affair with an over fussy referee, who blew for every slight contact.

However Beaconsfield losing the previous night meant that the Woods can still grab the runners-up spot if they win their last two fixtures.

Against AFC Hayes, they had two chances in the first half to take the lead: in the 40th minute Laurie Walters drove a free-kick just wide, then three minutes later a good cross from Hugo Figueiredo should have been slotted home by Paul Element – but he missed his kick completely.

The second period was only five minutes old when the referee gave a penalty to the Woods, I assume for a foul on Hugo Figueiredo, but it wasn’t very clear from the view from the stand. Laurie Walters stepped up and drove the ball high into the top right hand corner: 1-0.

Hayes came straight back at the Woods, and a goalmouth scramble was eventually cleared by Lee Holland. The visitors continued to attack, and it took a brilliant double stop by The Cat to keep them out.

A double substitution was made with 15 minutes to go, and five minutes from the end Hayes keeper Simeon Charles denied Laurie Walters another goal.

Northwood’s defence were excellent and they thwarted Hayes on so many occasions.

Man of the Match: Lee Holland.