Match Report
by Robin Piper
Honours remained
even as Northwood played ‘away’ at Chestnut Avenue for the first time
in their history.
There were a
number of changes to the Woods’ line-up. Mark Dennison returned from
suspension to replace Bradley Hewitt in central defence, whilst
midfielder Wayne Carter came in for Danny Julienne. There was also a
return for Jerome Hall in attack, Lee Holland reverting to the bench
as Mark Nicholls dropped into midfield.
In an
entertaining opening the play flowed freely from end to end. There was
an early opportunity for Wealdstone’s Dean Papali, the former
Northwood striker shooting wide when clear of the Woods’ defence. At
the other end, Peter Dean set up Hall whose first time shot was
comfortably gathered by ex-Wood Lee Carroll.
Northwood
gradually began to enjoy the greater possession, Nicholls creating an
opening for Dean, who was crowded out by the Stones’ defence.
And Wealdstone
were fortunate not to conceded a penalty as the lively Hall clearly
had his legs taken from under him by Ernest Simon, the referee
ignoring the vociferous Northwood appeals.
The play
continued to ebb and flow, Carroll tipping over Dean’s attempted cross
whilst Woods’ keeper Rob Bullivant was on hand to deny Papali after
Northwood struggled to clear their lines.
However, the
deadlock was finally broken by Northwood in controversial
circumstances. Carroll was lucky to stay on the pitch after punches
were thrown in a goalmouth melee, the referee showing a yellow card
and pointing to the penalty spot. Nicholls made no mistake to give
Woods a 44th minute lead.
However, the lead
lasted less than a minute as Stones were immediately down the other
end to equalise. Bullivant did well to parry Papali’s header but
Graeme Montgomery was on hand to convert the rebound to bring his side
level on 45 minutes.
Wealdstone looked
the more likely side early in the second half, dictating the play and
forcing Northwood onto the back foot. The lively Papali had a couple
of opportunities, shooting straight at Bullivant when well placed
before the latter was quickly off his line to smother the danger as
the Wealdstone striker advanced on goal.
Having soaked a
period of pressure, Woods began to pose questions of the Wealdstone
rearguard, Dean not far away with a low drive from the edge of the box
before the Woods’ front man was denied by an offside flag as he shot
past Carroll from close range after the Stones’ stopper had saved
Hall’s initial shot.
Chances continued
to be created at either end. Dwane Williams and Hall had shots
blocked, whilst Wealdstone substitute Hector Mackie spurned a
gilt-edged chance to take the lead, shooting weakly with only
Bullivant to beat.
But as the game
moved into the latter stages it was Northwood who looked the more
likely to grab the elusive winning goal. Hall ended a mazy run with a
shot deflected over before James Shipperley had a header cleared off
the line from Nicholls’ corner.
Next it was
Dennison who went close with a header, whilst Dean’s flicked header
from Danny Murphy’s whipped cross almost shaved the far post.
Elliott Buchanan
was introduced for Carter as Woods looked for the winning goal. And
the goal almost arrived in the final minute, Dean supplying Hall, who
broke clear of the Stones’ defence only to be denied by the on rushing
Carroll as the Northwood striker shaped to shoot.
And so the spoils
remained shared, a fair outcome and in the circumstances a useful
‘away’ point for Northwood.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Photos: Alan Evans
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