Saturday 27th November 1976
COOPER SNATCHES A GOOD POINT
MILL END 1 NORTHWOOD 1
Gary Cooper scored a brilliantly taken goal late in the game to give Northwood a good away point against Middlesex League leaders Mill End on Saturday.
Cooper has now scored in both his games for the Woods since he rejoined them from Harefield United, and he has formed an effective strike force with Martin Ellis and Roger Livingstone.
Northwood were served a shock before Saturday's game when their ever-present goalkeeper Les Currell broke down with an ankle injury and Dave Russell had to take over.
However the youngster did very well between the posts and did not let his player manager Paddy Coburn down.
But Mill End took the lead on Saturday before any of the Northwood side had time to settle. A corner was only half cleared by the Woods' defence and Mill End’s full-back Miles headed the ball in.
The goal set Northwood into action, and Junior Jones had two good shots saved, and then had a header from three yards go just wide of the upright.
Northwood had gained control of the midfield and Gould and Merison were dominant in the defence, while full-backs Harman and Heslop gave little away.
But Mill End were not prepared to give an inch, either, although Jones had one startling run from deep in his own penalty area to well into the Mill End half but his final pass went astray.
Northwood were confident that the goal would come, but they had to wait until six minutes from time. Coburn found the gap to squeeze a pass to Cooper and he took his chance majestically. The keeper came off his line and Cooper hit a perfect lob over his head and into the net.
Northwood: Russell, Heslop. Gould, Merison, J. Harman, Tidd, Coburn, Jones, Ellis, Cooper, Livingstone. Sub. R. Harman.
|
