ALLIEDS MATCH REPORTS 2008-09
 

NORTHWOOD YOUTH 3  DIDCOT TOWN YOUTH 0

Northwood's form has steadily improved over the course of the season, and this proved to be the case with this 3-0 win over a Didcot Town side who had previously hit six past them in mid-September.

It is no coincidence that Elliot Gibbs was back in defence after injury, and with Tyrone Durrant reverting back into the holding role in midfield, the balance of the side has improved and the squad is stronger.

Olly Wright started the scoring after 26 minutes, when a fine run by Durrant, driving into the penalty area and beating three players in the process, resulted in the ball breaking to Wright, who had a simple tap in from six yards.

The second goal came after 34 minutes, a superb from delivery from a corner by Chris Michael onto the head of Tyrone Durrant, who made no mistake with the ball nestling in the top corner of the net.

Didcot, who were by no means were out of the game, nearly got a goal back after hitting the underside of the bar but the ball failed to cross the line, and Woods went into the interval with a two goal lead.

In the second half the Woods contained Didcot's attempts to a solitary effort midway through the half that was off target, whilst also created chances of their own as Didcot pushed players forward.

Jamie Tompkins could have made it three, after collecting the ball in his own half and with a three-on-one situation, he decided to go on his own. Only a last ditch tackle by a defender prevented him from scoring in the Didcot penalty area.

A stretched Didcot defence also allowed substitute Ricky Samani to break from just in the Didcot half, and he hit a stunning drive into the top corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.