Bedfont Sports Res 3  Northwood Res. 2

Saturday 21st July 2012

Northwood Res.					Pre-season friendly Bedfont Recreation Ground
1	Garry Malone	6			Kick Off
2	Aaron Silcott	6			3.00 p.m.
3	Massih Mirzai	7			H/T
4	Ricky Rogers	7			1-2
5	Ed Hatcher ©	7			Scorers
6	Aiden Byfield	5			Northwood
7	Harry Wright	6			Silcott 2
8	Josh Brown	6
9	Ryan Lee	6
10	Julian Smith	6
11	Jamel Mattan	7
12	Jaephet Okirie	6
14	Freddie Brooks	6
15	George Holland	6
16	Romario Francis	6
17	Dan Thomas	6
		/10

The Woods Reserve team came up against a very well organised and resilient opposition in Bedfont Sports Reserve side, and although Northwood created many chances - especially in the second half - the home side won by three goals to two.

An early chance for Jamel Mattan cutting in from the right hand side after outpacing the left back saw his shot just go the wrong side of the upright.  Bedfont were then awarded a somewhat soft and generous penalty after Aiden Byfield's tackle was deemed to be of a foul nature. Bedfont scored from this penalty kick and shortly after added a second when a deep cross was not defended and the Bedfont player headed in unchallenged at the far post.

Northwood  heads did not drop however and they stuck to the game plan and were rewarded with a goal when Massih Mirzai was released on the overlap on the left hand side, the home goalkeeper parried his cross and Aaron Silcott was on the spot to tap home. This goal gave the reserves renewed confidence, and two good chances from Ryan Lee and Josh Brown were just off target.

Woods made five changes at half time and played a slightly different formation but they could not prevent the home side adding a third goal when Garry Malone was beaten by an unstoppable header. Ricky Rogers then grazed the post with a long range shot and good approach play by Ryan Lee and Freddie Brooks saw Ryan shoot just wide of the mark.

Garry Malone was called into action saving excellently from a free kick in a dangerous position in the 65th minute and George Holland had a shot well saved by the Bedfont custodian five minutes later. In the 74th minute a Jaephet Okirie cross found Aaron Silcott in the penalty box and Aaron turned and shot low into the corner to reduce the deficit.

Northwood increased the pressure in the final stages and Freddie Brooks made the keeper react smartly to his shot and Josh brown saw his header hit the cross bar. Josh also had a shot saved easily by the keeper and the Woods' last chance saw Jaephet Okirie fire just over after good work from Jamel Mattan.

Team Performance 6/10

REPORT by Colin Finch

PHOTOS by Ruth Finch