Northwood Res. 4  Hemel Hempstead Res. 1

Tuesday 29th March 2011

Northwood Res.		Suburban League Chestnut Avenue, Northwood
Ben Dowsett	1	Kick Off
Dominic Franklin	2	7.45 p.m.
Ryan Tackley	3	H/T
Ed Hatcher	4	2-1
Jamie Lindsay	5	Scorers
Romaine Walker	6	Northwood
Sam Sharples	7	Lansiquot, Orphanou, Ursell, Walker
Jack Duffy	8
Rob Ursell	9
Aaron Lansiquot	10
Scott Orphanou	11
Aaron Silcott (2)	12
Lucas Williams (10)	14
Ali Hussain (11)	15
Courtney Francis	16
-	17

After a complete upheaval of the club with Steve Hale leaving and Gary Meakin being installed as first team manager, changes were bound to happen. These changes were also certain to have a knock-on effect to the whole playing side, including the reserves. So it was no surprise that a changeover of players took place on Tuesday for the home Suburban League game against Hemel.

There were a few new players and a few old 'uns back, and a few left to wonder. So it was with a blank sheet of paper the side was selected for this game. It also helped that Hemel turned up with a very young side themselves. Those who know Northwood will recognise some familiar names in the line up.

The game got underway, and there was a brief settling in period where players got used to each other, but it was not long before the Woods were putting some nice passing movements together. Both Dominic Franklin and Ryan Tackley were getting forward, and chances began to happen.

Romaine was his elusive self and the tackling was crisp from both sides. Jamie Lindsay led an attack  from the back which resulted in a chance for Aaron Lansiquot up front, then Scott Orphanou also had a half-chance. But it was from a direct through ball from Dominic Franklin to Aaron Lansiquot ,who outpaced the defenders to open the scoring.

Chances came and went, but it was a lack of concentration which enabled Hemel to equalise. However, the reply from the Woods was instantaneous, as a clever ball from Rob Ursell enabled Scott Orphanou to  put them in front again.

Hemel were getting upset with the man in black at this time, and a few bookings resulted. Half-time came with the score at 2-1. This time Woods seemed to be slow out of the starting gate, and the early pressure was with Hemel. Following a wayward kick out from Ben Dowsett, a great chance for Hemel materialized,  but the Northwood keeper made amends with a great save, scooping the ball over the bar when a goal seemed inevitable.

This prompted a wave of attacks from the Woods, and it was no surprise when Ursell found himself one-on-one with the Hemel goalie, and he finished well. The visitors were getting very frustrated at this stage, and a spate of bookings and sendings-offs resulted in them being reduced to nine men. Credit to Hemel, as they still kept battling but Romaine Walker finished a good passing movement to  to basically end the game at 4-1.

As an exercise, the Woods will gain benefit from this game but will make interesting Gary’s selection for the crucial game on Saturday. Whereas the Suburban League side take a trip to Walton Casuals ground to play high-flying AFC Wimbledon.

GEOFF FOSTER - Manager