Northwood U18s 1 Staines Town U18s 0
Thursday 18th October 2012
NORTHWOOD UNDER 18s | Ryman Youth League | |
Chestnut Avenue, Northwood | ||
Team line-up |
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1 | Garry Malone | |
2 | Jack Sutch | |
3 | Issac Alawode | |
4 | Alex Delasalle | |
5 | Alex Ishola | |
6 | David Palmer | |
7 | Tom Ellis | |
8 | Denis Nortey | |
9 | Matt Cooper | |
10 | Lewis Davies | |
11 | Darius Murray | |
Substitutes | ||
12 | Liam Boyce (7) | |
14 | Aaron Garrick (11) | |
15 | Luke Fox (9) | |
16 | - | |
17 | - | |
Having beaten Staines Town last season, Northwood approached this match with confidence, and that helped as early on as they had to withstand long periods of pressure, during which Garry Malone was outstanding.
However, during this period the home side had their moments and one of these nearly saw Woods take the lead when the Staines Town captain and goalkeeper nearly dropped a high ball over his head after he had fumbled a high cross.
And against the run of play in the 29th minute, Woods were awarded a penalty, which Lewis Davies calmly tucked away. The pattern was now set and Northwood were forced on to the back foot for the rest of the half but some excellent defending saw them through to half time.
The Staines team came out for the second period fired up, but a mixture of outstanding defending coupled with an outstanding display by Malone continued to frustrate the Staines team, who are one of only 32 non-League teams to make it through to the FA Youth Cup First Round Proper.
Northwood were not to be beaten, although the final whistle didn't come a moment too soon!
Unfortunately several of the Staines Town lost their heads at this stage and referee Nick Mackenzie, who had been great throughout, was left with little choice but to show no less than three red cards, two to the visitors, despite the fact that the match was over.
This was a terrific battling win and a performance that the boys can all be very proud of.
View video of the penalty winner
REPORT by Alan Palmer