Northwood Res. 3 AFC Wimbledon Res 1
Saturday 3rd October 2009
Northwood Res. |
 |
Suburban Premier Chestnut Avenue, Northwood |
| Aaron Bufton | 1 |
Kick Off |
| Jamie Lindsay | 2 |
3.00 p.m. |
| Scott Cousins | 3 |
H/T |
| Chris Seeby | 4 |
1-0 |
| Michael Peacock | 5 |
Scorers |
| Brad Hewitt | 6 |
Northwood |
Gary Burrell |
7 |
Ofori 39, Sonuga 65,89 |
| Harry Smart | 8 |
|
| Eugene Ofori (Capt.) | 9 |
Wimbledon |
| John Sonuga | 10 |
Gjoni 70 |
| Leon Osei | 11 |
|
Substitutes |
||
| Sam Phillips (6, 51m) | 12 |
|
| Kyle Matthews (9,45) | 14 |
|
| John Christian | 15 |
|
| Mark Burgess | 16 |
|
| Rob Ursell | 17 |
|
Dave Anderson fielded seven of his senior side in this Suburban League game, with Woods not having a first team game due to receiving an F.A. Trophy bye, but he also took the opportunity to take a look at youngsters Jamie Lindsay, John Sonuga and Aaron Bufton, as well as new signing Scott Cousins.
The blustery weather made conditions difficult for both sides, but Gary Burrell had an early 18-yard effort blocked, and Sonuga couldn’t quite reach the loose ball, and Woods did much of the early pressing. But the young Dons side – managed by former Brentford, Watford and Wimbledon star and Jamaican international Marcus Gayle - looked dangerous on the break, and on 20 minutes Quincy Rowe hit a long-range effort which curled over Bufton’s crossbar.
Chris Seeby was revelling in his midfield role, pushing forward well, whilst Burrell was a constant danger on Northwood’s right flank, and Sonuga was again so close to connecting with a great cross from the latter.
Woods had a warning ten minutes before the break when Karl Douglin founded himself in space, but wasted the good opening when his shot was well off-target. The visitors were punished a few minutes later when Burrell slipped in a great through ball to skipper Eugene Ofori – about to commence a three-match ban – and he coolly placed the ball in the corner of the net from twelve yards.
Bufton ensured Woods stayed in the lead at the break when he saved well from Douglin, and the visitors started the second period strongly, substitute James Steening going close although Bufton had the shot covered, then Matt Harmsworth sliced a shot on the turn well wide.
Youngster Jamie Lindsay performed well in the right-back spot, pushing up confidently, and he looks a good prospect for the future. He was involved in a move on the hour that ended with Dons keeper Jack Turner making a flying save to keep out a 12-yard drive from Sonuga.
Woods were so close to a second goal a minute later when Michael Peacock connected powerfully with a Burrell corner, but saw the ball smack against the crossbar. Then Burrell set up fit-again Kyle Matthews, only for his shot to go well wide. But Matthews set up Northwood’s second goal a minute, firing in a cross from the left flank that John Sonuga headed past the keeper.
Dons pulled a goal back with twenty minutes left, breaking quickly, and substitute Elton Gjoni neatly slipped the ball past Bufton’s right hand. They threatened again through Harmsworth soon after, but the centre-forward sent his effort too high.
Northwood finally wrapped up the points in the final minute, when Matthews drove in another great cross, and although keeper Turner blocked Burrell’s shot, Sonuga fired home the loose ball for his eighth goal of the season.
So, a useful exercise for Woods’ senior players, and a win that keeps the regular side well-placed in the Suburban Premier table.
Report: KEN GREEN
