Match Report
by Alan Evans

As winners of the Middlesex Senior Cup for the first-ever time in 2007, the Woods were subsequently qualified to make their first appearance in the George Ruffell Shield, a charity competition played between the winners of the Senior and Charity Cups in the county.

Harrow Borough had won the Middlesex Charity Cup for the second time in succession, so visited Chestnut Avenue on a fine summer's night for what was really nothing more than another in the sequence of pre-season friendlies, but one that both sides were keen to win with a trophy at stake.

Manager Colin Payne’s plans had been hit a day earlier as newly-signed striker Charlie Hill announced that he had changed his mind and would now be joining Uxbridge and, as he had played in the previous three games, scoring four goals, it was always likely to have an effect.

Harrow looked sharp from the start with former Football League star Jamie Lawrence included in the midfield and they took and early lead when a defensive error allowed Danny Leech to slot home with just five minutes on the clock.

The Woods responded with Elliott Buchanan shooting wide of the target, but the half belonged to the Borough, who passed their way around the pitch with more confidence, and went close again when Elliott Onochie hammered over from distance.

The second goal came on 19 minutes when a through-ball saw Albert Adomah in on goal, and though he was felled by Bradley Hewitt, he still managed to hook the ball over goalkeeper Ashley Harris.

A comeback from a two-goal deficit was unlikely but a third was always going to be the killer, and sadly it was presented to Harrow after 35 minutes when Hewitt steered an Onochie cross past his own ‘keeper.

The half ended with Buchanan setting up Jerome Hall for a strike at goal but his shot lacked the power to beat goalkeeper Kieran Jimmy.

There was just one change at half-time, with Dave Tilbury replacing Lee Holland, and the Woods did have more of a share of the play in the second-half.

Buchanan saw another shot well saved and looked the most threatening up front for Northwood, but he was replaced by Sam Hurrell after 67 minutes. Other substitutions followed for both sides and the game petered out. The nearest Northwood came to scoring was when substitute Ollie Goodwin shot straight at the keeper from a good position.