Youth Reports 2015-16

4 October 2015

Panathinaikos Youth 0  Northwood U18 Black 1 (League - White Division)

There are games when you have to "win ugly" and this was one of them. The Woods never really got their passing game going, and were guilty, at times, of hanging on to the ball too long, and then losing possession.

Northwood were under pressure from the kick off and only took control for short periods. The Woods looked solid in defence, and Dan Linfield, playing as a stand in goalie, never really looked troubled in the visitors’ goal and only had one real shot to save during the first half.

In the first half there was never any period when the Woods exerted prolonged pressure on the home defence. However, after about 25 minutes, the home goalie called for a high ball into his penalty box. Under pressure from Henry Gibbor he spilled the ball, which eventually came to debutant, Jamie Costello-Munday, who headed the Woods into the lead.

Despite continued pressure on the back four, centre backs Sam Nelmes and, Man of the Match, Matt Biss held firm and the Woods went into the break with a slender 1-0 lead.

The Woods started the second half brightly but just couldn't extend their lead, and as the half progressed, their midfield began to concede possession all too easily. Dan Linfield was back in his usual centre-half spot, with Thomas West taking over in goal. Pressure built as the half wore on, and a second goal would have killed the game, but despite a late chance for the Woods to score the score remained 1-0 and Northwood recorded their fourth league win out of four games.

Brian Gibbor

Northwood Under 12s Reds 7  Harvesters East 1

An all-round better team performance from last week proved to be too much for Harvesters. The game did start with a bit of a shock when a neat finish from Harvesters' first attack match saw their striker chip the Woods' out coming goalkeeper to take a 0-1 lead.

The boys seem to be a bit nervous again against lower league opposition, often rushing passes and not being as composed as usual. It took a good break down the left and a great finish from Lewis Reid to put the scores level 1-1. Soon after that Saihaan found himself in some space in the attacking half and finished well to go into the break 2-1.

The halftime chat again concentrated on telling the boys that they were at their most dangerous and best when they played the passing game that we practice week after week on the training pitch. The boys did respond well going up the hill and a wonderful strike from Josh put the boys 3-1 up. You could see that the Harvesters' heads were beginning to drop as the boys stared turning on the style.

Meanwhile, whilst the goals were raining; in debut boy Ben Bambrough was turning in a great performance in the holding role in the midfield, which seemed to help the defence of Dan, Lewis Ryan, George and William, who for once were not getting over run on every attack. A second strike from Lewis Reid and then a second from Josh saw the boys go into a 5-1 lead. By now you could see that Harvesters had lost their way but they were still causing a few problems but nothing that the boys could not manage.

Two late strikes from Saihaan helped him complete his first hat-trick for the club - well done Saihaan! Overall, this was a much improved performance and something for the boys to build on for next week, when we go back into league action against another Harvesters side, who I'm sure will prove to be a sterner test. Player of the match Ben Bambrough.

Dave Blincko

AC Finchley North v Northwood Under 8 Reds

The Reds travelled to Finchley to face what will probably be their biggest test this season. Northwood were the only team to defeat Finchley last season who were the stand-out team in the top division. With only 5 players available, the Reds had to really be on their game.

The Woods started the brightest out of the two teams, creating a host of chances. Finchley we really struggling to get to grips with the front two of Kingston and Tobi, who were causing all sorts of problems for Finchley. Northwood finally broke the deadlock with an deflected OG from a corner. Northwood were not finished there and kept on pilling on the pressure and were awarded with another goal from Kingston Hall who finished off a nice cross from Tobi. Northwood continued to pepper the Finchley goal with almost no response but were unable to capitalise again before half-time.

Northwood continued in the same vain as the 1st half with some real eye catching football, and were very unlucky not to add to the goals scored in the first half with 4 or 5 clear-cut chances wasted. Woods were made to pay for their missed chances as Finchley were gifted 2 goals from 2 mistakes, which was completely against the run of play. However, it didn't faze Northwood, who kicked off and went and scored another goal from the tricky Antonio who was putting in a MOM performance.

Northwood were now on their last legs and began to tire, being unable to make any changes. Finchley were now on top in the dying minutes of the game and somehow managed to scored 2 late goals completely against the run of play, dishing out Northwood's only 4th defeat in 2 seasons. Northwood can take a lot of positives from this match and should be very proud of the progress they have made since last season.

MOM: Antonio Suban'Trio - Another solid performance from last season's Players' Player Of The Year. Antonio has come back this season even stronger and will be one to watch this season. 

Jay Hall