Northwood Under 18 2  Barnet (Amber) Under 18 0

Thursday 5th May 2011

Northwood U18		Ryman Youth League Chestnut Avenue, Northwood
	1	Kick Off
	2	7.45 p.m.
	3	H/T
	4	0-0
	5	Scorers
	6	Northwood
	7	Charles, Cole
	8	Barnet
	9	n/a
	10
	11
	12
	14
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	17

The last game of the young Woods' 2010/11 league campaign was pivotal in securing a third place finish to round off a long, testing season. A final victory at home would complete the last fixture on a positive note. This was the intention, and focus as the Woods came out to play on a warm spring evening.

The game started evenly with both sides battling to get early control of the game. The ball was difficult to control and pass, but Barnet had more possession of the ball, and in the first 30 minutes had the Woods on the back foot more often, but were not decisive in the final quarter. Northwood were very defensive in their approach and rarely troubled the Barnet defence. While they worked hard, there was no cohesion or pattern to their game.

Apart from a couple of half chances for Romaine Walker which were off the mark, the Woods never really threatened and could have been behind in the 35th minute, but for Chezney Cassell who made a spectacular one handed save, pushing wide from a thunderous Barnet free kick. The first half ended flat with both sides level but Barnet enjoying most of the high-spots.

In the second half Woods came out with much more purpose and pace, with a flurry of chances in the first 10 minutes. First Walker beat two defenders and with the keeper to beat shot high and wide over the bar from 10 yards. From a corner, Jordan Douglas rose and headed goalward but the keeper saved, but the easiest chance fell to Damilola Thomas, who pounced on a pass in the box, only to hit a weak shot from five yards which fell into the keeper's arms.

Woods took on a more attacking shape, pressing the play, affording Walker more options in his goal pursuit. It was Walker who, with sublime skills, created chance after chance to break the deadlock, but time after time he was denied brilliantly by the Barnet keeper. In the 60th minute, a rasping Walker corner was met by captain Jonas Charles, whose header was saved by the keeper. But in the 63rd minute, another pinpoint corner by Walker was beautifully struck on the volley by Charles into the back of the net, to deservedly put Woods ahead.

Barnet responded to the pressure by bringing the best out of Cassell, who saved a goal bound header in the 68th minute and made a stunning save from a point blank shot two minutes later. The Woods continued to press, and again Walker broke through, only to be denied by the keeper. Woods made adjustments in the personnel in the last 15 minutes of the season, with Lamin Cole, Julian Cole and Julian Smith coming on for the final push. This proved rewarding, as in the 83rd minute Jack Hutchinson played a defence-splitting pass, which Julian Cole raced on to catch and neatly despatch the ball into the back of the net: 2-0, the points were secured.

Woods showed their strength, character and determination by lifting themselves in the second half to dominate Barnet, qualities that has seen them achieve solid victories at home and abroad throughout the season. Congratulations to all the players, who as a team fought, battled, laughed and cried but above all each worked together for a common aim, to be winners!

Report: TREVOR CHARLES