Northwood rounded off the season with a second win in five days as they shared five goals with Aylesbury in an entertaining clash at Haywood Avenue.

There were a number of changes from Woods’ midweek win over Hanwell Town. Sam Tring returned from injury to partner Tom Gilbey in central defence, allowing Lewis Hobbs to resume his midfield holding role, with Declan Nche making way. Youngsters Femi Azeez and Jamie Fulton returned to the starting line-up in place of Nebay Haile and Evans Kouassi, the latter being recalled by parent club Wealdstone.

And Northwood made the perfect start as they took a third minute lead through Jermaine Osei, Woods’ leading scorer bundling the ball home after being set up by Meshach Williams as he latched onto a Borja Loeches-Teixeira goal-kick which deceived the home defence.

Anthony Ball tried his luck from long range for the Aylesbury and tested Loeches-Teixeira with a cross-shot which was parried by the Woods goalkeeper. But Northwood continued to carry a threat as Fulton’s defence-splitting pass almost played in Azeez before the latter’s header from a Williams cross was turned round the post by keeper Nathan Neale.

However, Woods’ progress was halted as the Moles equalised on 19 minutes, Ben Stevens converting from close range after the visitors failed to defend a corner. But Northwood almost delivered an immediate riposte as Azeez latched on to a Williams’ through-ball to take the ball round Neale and square the ball but there was no-one to apply the finish.

There continued to be chances created at both ends, Keiron Schmidt testing Loeches-Teixeira with a spectacular bicycle kick which was diverted onto the crossbar before Azeez went close again for Northwood as he drew another save from Neale. But it was Woods who regained the lead on 33 minutes as the impressive Tring set Williams clear with a delightful ball from the back, the latter finishing with aplomb.

However, Northwood had some defending to do as the hosts looked to draw level before the break, Tring blocking a Kai Stubbs shot, Fulton clearing another effort off the line before Loeches-Teixeira saved from Stubbs. At the other end, Chingoka might have done better after good work from Williams and Azeez before the latter headed wide from a Fulton delivery.

The Moles introduced substitute Alfi Touceda for the second half and he made an immediate impact with a fine 30 yard strike which flew into the top corner to draw his side level with 50 minutes on the clock. And the hosts threatened further goals as Loeches-Teixeira twice denied Stubbs with a couple of fine saves while Ty Deacon went close with a chip which cleared the Northwood crossbar.

Having weathered the storm, Northwood looked to regain some attacking momentum and Williams and Chingoka combined to create an opening for Osei whose but he lifted his shot over the Aylesbury crossbar. However, Osei made amends as he delivered a smart finish with a shot on the turn to restore Woods’ lead on 58 minutes.

Northwood made a couple of substitutions just after the hour-mark, with Azeez making way for Kyran Worrell, another member of Woods’ youth team while Declan Nche replaced Fulton. And Worrell was immediately involved on his senior debut as he saw his shot deflected for a corner before Woods went close again as Nche headed wide from a Keir Dickson corner.

Northwood continued to press for further goals as Williams had a shot blocked with Chingoka firing the rebound wide of the target while at the other end, Schmidt’s shot deflected wide after a goalmouth scramble.

Woods made their final change on 78 minutes as Williams made way for Sam Afolabi. And after Northwood had survived a long range free-kick from Kris Clarke they should have been awarded a 90th minute penalty as Worrell burst into the Aylesbury box was impeded by Derek Feyi as the Woods debutant looked to shoot, the referee waving away the vociferous Northwood appeals.

However, Northwood had done enough to claim the three points, bringing the curtain down on a difficult and frustrating season which had promised so much more before the untimely departure of manager Simon Lane. Thanks must go to Acting Manager Gordon Boateng for all his efforts in recent weeks and to Jake Heracleous before him. There are positives to take from the season; the emergence of a number of home-grown players who have featured in recent weeks is especially encouraging, and one would hope the majority of this young Northwood team will return, with a new manager at the helm to continue their development next season.