Northwood 0  Chipstead 1

Saturday 7th October 2023

NORTHWOOD
1	Andrew McCorkell ©
2	Teddy Stacey (82m)
3	Deago Dunbar Bonnie
4	Carl Stewart
5	George Milner-Smith
6	Romario Jonas
7	Curtis Brown (72m)
8	Prince Mbengui
9	Dan Williams
10	Kofi Anokye-Boadi
11	Zeid Hannachi (72m)
Substitutes
12	Sam Jenkins (72m)
14	Harry McCorkell
15	Luke Tingey (82m)
16	Osaretin Otote (72m)
17	Riccardo Alexander-Greenaway
	Chipstead: Harrison Firth, Jaden Edwards, Alfie Young, Zohair Ali, Matt Kellet-Smith, Daniel Pappoe, Danyaal Iqbal (Nicholas Wilson 84m), Chad Goulter, Jacob Sewell (Daniel Berry 72m), Bradley Wilson, Abel Vendrells (Emmanuel Martin 78m)

Northwood slipped to a fourth league reverse in a row as Chipstead claimed the points on another disappointing afternoon at The Skyline.

Manager Ben Bukowski rang the changes as Woods looked to get their season back on track with two midweek signings Prince Mbengui and Zeid Hannachi coming straight into the starting line up as Riccardo Alexander-Greenaway and Osaretin Otote reverted to the bench where they were joined by Sam Jenkins as Curtis Brown came in for his first start.  There was also a change at the back as Aldershot loanee George Milner-Smith partnered Romario Jonas in central defence with Luke Tingey being rested to the bench, while there was a welcome return for goalkeeper Andrew McCorkell who was given the captain’s armband upon the completion of his suspension.

Northwood made a positive start to proceedings with Hannachi combining well with Kofi Anoyke-Boadi down the left side with the latter’s low cross just failing to reach the waiting Dan Williams before a Jonas throw into the box was met by Milner-Smith whose flicked header was tipped over by Chips goalkeeper Harrison Firth.

Woods maintained their bright start with Deago Dunbar-Bonnie surging into the visitors’ box and seeing his shot deflected wide while Hannachi appeared to be pushed in the box as he attempted a stooped header from another Jonas throw but the referee ignored the muted appeals for a penalty. And Hannachi was involved again as Northwood won a free kick on the angle of the box with the debutant winger sending his attempt into the arms of Firth.

Chipstead gradually began to ask some questions of their own as McCorkell dealt with an effort from Danyaal Iqbal before Abel Vendrell squandered a good opportunity from close range. And it was the Chips who went into the break with their tails up as Woods failed to clear their lines with Jacob Sewell seeing his first attempt kept out by McCorkell before making no mistake with the follow up on 44 minutes.

Northwood needed a good start to the second period, and they had an early opportunity as Dan Williams found himself in a good position but he snatched at his shot which trickled wide of the far post. And Woods were nearly punished as they lost possession on the edge of their box with Chad Goulter failing to capitalise with McCorkell frantically scrambling back as the shot drifted wide of the upright.

Woods were back on the search for the equaliser as Firth saved well from Brown as he ran onto Hannachi’s through-ball before the same player had a shot blocked in the box with Anokye-Boadi’s follow-up header being clawed away by the Chipstead stopper. While Woods continued to press forward, they were increasingly vulnerable to the counterattack with McCorkell doing well to keep out an attempt from Alfie Young.

Northwood made a double change on 72 minutes with Jenkins and Otote replacing Hannachi and Brown with Dunbar-Bonnie moving into an advanced position on the left flank as the hosts switched to a back three. And the change almost reaped benefits as Bonnie sent over a pinpoint cross which was met by Anokye-Boadi, but his header cannoned off the Chipstead crossbar.

Woods made a final change as Tingey replaced a tiring Stacey in defence, but the hosts were finding it increasingly difficult to make much of an impression at the other end of the pitch against a well-drilled Chips defence.

And it was the visitors who looked the more likely to add to their lead as McCorkell produced another save to keep out a shot from substitute Dan Berry before the latter thought he had sealed the points for his team as he converted from close range, only to be denied by an offside flag.

However, the single goal proved to be enough as Woods were unable to fashion an equaliser with the Chips deservedly taking the points back to Surrey.

REPORT by Robin Piper