MATCH REPORTS 2008-09
 

SANDHURST TOWN RES. 3  NORTHWOOD RES. 3
 

Unlike recent games, the trip to Sandhurst Town saw a very lacklustre performance from Northwood, especially in the first half. Having made six changes from the starting line-up from the previous game at AFC Hayes, there was very little cohesion from the side.

Sandhurst were a very big experienced side who got the ball forward very quickly to the forwards, who were very quick and were causing the defence a lot of problems.

After 15 minutes, Sandhurst went ahead when a long cross-field ball was not dealt with, and the right back sneaked in at back post to finish off the move.

Northwood then got themselves out of trouble when a cross from Aryan Taj was turned into his own net by a defender.

This should have settled Woods down, but they proceeded to self destruct, conceding two further goals on the run up to half time to trail 3-1 at the break.

Northwood came out for the second half and with the manager's strong words still ringing in their ears they set about getting back into the game.

The Woods launched wave after wave of attacks and eventually, with half a hour left, the dangerous Courtney Francis broke into the area, only for the Sandhurst defender to upend him and a penalty was given. Top scorer Carl Hunt calmly stroked the penalty home, and now Sandhurst were holding on and hardly coming out of their half.

Then for some reason, it can only be assumed for something said, Sandhurst had a player sent off, leaving his team to defend the last 20 minutes with ten men.

Northwood continued to pile on the pressure, and with 15 minutes to go a long shot from James Crockford was spilled by the 'keeper, and the ever-alert Hunt fired home the rebound to level the scores.

Sandhurst were now out on their feet and relying on old heads, good old fashioned luck and poor finishing to keep Northwood out. The Woods could have scored four goals in the last five minutes alone but had to settle for a hard-earned draw.