Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood returned to winning ways as they scraped a victory over Wingate in a scrappy affair at the Abrahams Stadium.
Quality football was in short supply as both sides struggled in the strong crosswind, a Michael Gordon goal in first-half stoppage time separating the two teams.
Woods made a couple of changes to their starting line-up, Lee Holland and debutant Emmanuel Sackey filling the full-back berths with Danny Murphy missing out through injury and Dwane Williams reverting to the bench.
The opening half-hour was fairly uninspiring, with neither goalkeeper being tested. However, the hosts had a number of half chances. Joe O’Brien just failed to meet Jerome Boyce’s ball to the far post before the latter had a shot blocked following Dean Nyman’s pull-back whilst Craig Ellis headed wide from Boyce’s corner.
But it was Northwood who broke the deadlock in the dying seconds of the half as they capitalised on an error from Wingate’s Billy Amarteifio, Michael Gordon breaking clear and rounding goalkeeper Gavin King before applying a cool finish.
Wingate proceeded to dominate matters in the second half with disjointed Northwood barely venturing into their opponents’ half.
Mitch Swain was called into action as he comfortably saved Nyman’s shot before the Northwood custodian was quickly off his line to thwart Daniel Clarke.
The hosts threatened once again as Ellis headed wide from O’Brien’s cross.
New Woods’ signing Enrico Grimm replaced Matt Baxter in attack just after the hour mark, but the Northwood strikers continued to be deprived of any real opportunities.
The injured Bradley Hewitt was replaced by Danny Brown and Dwane Williams was introduced for Abdul Yoki as the game moved into the final fifteen minutes.
Northwood finally threatened to add a second goal as Jerome Hall had shot turned around the post by King before Gordon went close.
Woods were reduced to ten men for the closing minutes as Dwain Williams received his second yellow card of the afternoon on 85 minutes, the first Northwood red card of the season.
But Northwood had done enough as they recorded their first win in four league games.
Photos: James Brown |
