Match Report
by Alan Evans

Two nights after the narrow loss to Spartan South Midlands League side Langford, the Woods visited Chalfont St. Peter, but put in their worst pre-season display of the season.

They never looked up for the game, and the home side were in front after just three minutes when a defensive error allowed a Saints striker to smash the ball home from a few yards.

John Lawford chipped a shot wide and then Jerome Hall headed a Danny Brown quickly taken free-kick just wide but the Woods were struggling to get a grip on the game.

The Chalfont ‘keeper made one good save to deny Lawford after he was put through by Charlie Hill but the home side could have made it two on the half-hour when Brown was dispossessed but the Chalfont midfielder then screwed his shot just wide.

Colin Payne made three early substitutions in an attempt to wake his side up, with Perry Norman, Bradley Hewitt and Jerome Hall replaced by Aryan Taj, Lee Holland and Dave Tilbury, and this did seem to have some effect, with the defence staying strong to half-time.

For the second-half, triallist goalkeeper Ashley Harris came on for Bill Fishenden and there were two early shots on goal, the Chalfont ‘keeper making diving stops from both Dean Clark and Lawford.

Then, on 53 minutes, a long ball split the Northwood defence completely wide open and the Saints added a second goal.

Northwood were unable to respond. A couple of long-range efforts went sailing high and wide, while Clark then saw a lob tipped over. With five minutes to go, the home ‘keeper made his best save of the game to deny Hill after he had been set up by Jack Bennett, but there was no way back for the Woods.