Northwood 3 Dagenham & Redbridge 0

Tuesday 1st August 2023

NORTHWOOD




1	Andrew McCorkell (58m)
2	Teddy Stacey
3	Luke Brophy (58m)
4	Carl Stewart (65m)
5	Luke Tingey © (65m)
6	Harry Gallagher
7	Osaretin Otote
8	Kofi Anokye Boadi
9	Dan Williams (65m)
10	Jack Smith (58m)
11	Godlove Oppong (58m)
Substitutes
1	Matt Messer (58m)
12	Deaco Dunbar Bonnie (58m)
14	Harry McCorkell (58m)
15	Romario Jonas (65m)
16	Riccardo Alexander-Greenaway (65m)
17	Triallist A (65m)
18	Triallist B (58m)
	Dagenham: Strizovic, Tavares, Longe-King, Lawless, Franz, Ibie. Kendall, Benson, Blair, Triallist, Triallist

The Woods stepped up their pre-season preparations with an impressive win over their National League opponents in the first game back on home turf.

There was a return to The Skyline Roofing Stadium for former fans’ favourite Sydney Ibie following his switch to the Daggers midway through last season, and he was quickly into the action with a trademark run into the box which was snuffed out by the home defence.

But it was Northwood who opened the scoring on four minutes as Harry Gallagher latched onto Jack Smith’s floated free-kick to send a stooping header beyond goalkeeper Josh Strizovic.

And Woods struck again a minute later as Kofi Anokye-Boadi surged towards the Daggers’ box before squaring to Osaretin Otote who swept the ball home.

Dagenham responded with Woods keeper Andrew McCorkell palming away an effort from Ibie after Frankie Franz had created the opening. And the visitors kept up the pressure as Franz lifted a shot wide of the upright, before the lively Aaron Blair tested McCorkell with a curling shot which was pushed away for a corner.

Having held firm, Northwood finished an entertaining opening half on the front foot; a slick move involving Teddy Stacey and Dan Williams culminating in Strizovic keeping out an Otote snapshot before Woods were awarded a penalty for handball on the cusp of halftime – but Williams’ under-hit spot-kick was easily dealt with by Strizovic.

Dagenham came out strongly after the break, with Blair firing in a succession of shots – McCorkell saving well either side of a shot which was deflected wide and a dipping effort which narrow cleared the crossbar.

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PHOTOS by James Brown

Both sides made a number of changes as the contest progressed, but Woods maintained a good tempo and their slick, incisive play continued to ask questions of the Daggers’ defence. And the hosts went close to increasing their lead as Deago Dunbar-Bonnie’s pinpoint freekick into the box found the head of Stacey whose low header was gathered by Strizovic.

Following another raft of substitutions, Northwood deservedly added a third goal on 77 minutes – as a triallist striker applied the finish after great work from the Anokye-Boadi. The Daggers continued to offer a threat mainly through Blair who had another opportunity as he dragged a shot wide when well placed. But Woods threatened to increase their lead as another strong run and cross from Anokye-Boadi lead to Otote chesting the ball into the arms of Strizovic.

And with the clock ticking down, Anokye-Boadi almost capped a good night’s work with a goal that his performance deserved, but he was sadly denied by an offside flag.

REPORT by Robin Piper