Eastleigh Res. 5  Northwood Res. 0

Saturday 23rd April 2011

Northwood Res.		Suburban League Silverlake Stadium, Eastleigh
Ben Dowsett	1	Kick Off
Reece Fallon	2	3.00 p.m.
JJ Adelana	3	H/T
Jamie Lindsay	4	0-2
Jordan Gutteridge	5	Scorers
Prince Alozie	6	Northwood
Jack Dodds	7	n/a
Seldyn Grant	8
Timi Salako	9
Jack Hutchinson	10
Pat Lawrence	11
Dujon Desagurante (11)	12
Mark Bennett (3)	14
Harold Eluna-Obrien (4)	15
-	16
-	17

The Woods’ second string had a fair day’s travel on Saturday for the last game of the season, away at Eastleigh, the Conference club which is just outside Southampton, by the sea.

Leaving early paid off and everybody arrived on time and the weather was suitable for the beach rather than football. The pitch was a picture, with plenty of grass, and well watered, but probably the widest in the league by a long margin.

The game started with Eastleigh immediately on the attack and in the first minute they claimed a penalty and never stopped moaning about it. At first it would appear that the referee was strong enough for this, but as the game wore on more and more decisions were going to the home side.

After about 30 minutes Jamie Lindsay went on a rampage, but in trying to get back he put the ball into his own net. After another attack by Eastleigh, their striker went down as if pole-axed and this time the referee awarded the spot-kick, even though any touch on him had been minimal.

At half time the hosts were 2-0 up, and Pat Lawrence had worked very hard, so was replaced by Dujon Desagurante  and the fresh legs were useful. However, the game all through had been marred by sloppy passing and miscontrols by the Woods when in good positions, and they were hurting themselves by this.

Eastleigh were mostly in control, and Northwood were relying on the breaks, with a couple of long shots testing the home keeper. At this stage the Woods’ young left back was unwell and was replaced by Mark Bennett. A reshuffle  took place, with Timi Salako going left back and Mark going right side.

Then with 20 minutes left, Eastleigh's striker again went down under a challenge from the Woods keeper and despite the home fans booing the referee, he still gave the penalty and booked the Woods keeper. Woods had now conceded two penalties and a own goal, so with that self-inflicted mistakes, it was hard going for the lads.

The final score was 5-0, and I suppose that was about right. This game was the first time since the current management team took control that a good attitude and effort was missing, and the very disappointing display was not a good way to end the season. The Woods second string received some hard lessons today, but with a good pre-season there are enough young players to back up the first team next season. And being relegated will cut down on the travelling no end.

Report: GEOFF FOSTER