Match Report
by Robin Piper

Northwood’s inconsistent form continued to plague them when they slipped to a solitary goal defeat at Redbridge. Jerome Hall and Bradley Hewitt were back on the injury list, which meant a return for striker Elliott Buchanan, whilst Lee Holland resumed his right-back role.

The hosts were quickly into their stride, Nick Symons not far away with a speculative long range effort, while Aaron Gayle was denied by a combination of ‘keeper Mitch Swain and the offside flag.

Redbridge continued to ask all the questions with Northwood looking decidedly off the pace, and Swain had to be at his best to deny Symons once again.

Northwood finally threatened the Redbridge goal when a neat flick from Dean Clark played in Danny Hart, but home ‘keeper Tony Tucker was equal to his near-post shot.

However, that was the only bright note of a disjointed first-half performance from Woods, and Redbridge should have found the net as they forced a succession of corners. Nick Skelton headed narrowly over, whilst Swain pulled off a smart save to divert Frank Curley’s goal-bound shot.

And Northwood survived another scare a minute from half-time after Jazz Rose failed to clear, Billy Holland taking the ball wide of Swain but was unable to convert from a tight angle as the Woods keeper recovered.

The Woods were forced into a half-time change, Danny Brown replacing Ryan Tackley at left-back.

Redbridge continued to dominate and they finally found the elusive goal on 53 minutes when Northwood were guilty of slack marking at a short corner, and Stuart Williams fired an unstoppable shot into the far corner.

At the other end, Clark wasn’t far away with an attempted lob, but Northwood were struggling to find any sort of rhythm. Jermaine Hamilton was introduced for Clark on the hour mark, with Buchanan moving to the right flank.

But Woods were indebted to Swain once again when he produced a double save to thwart Holland and Gayle, whilst the Northwood stopper also saved well from substitute Charlie Bull.

Theo Ohene replaced Buchanan on 82 minutes but Northwood never looked liked breaching the Redbridge defence.

In fact it was Swain who continued to be kept busy, producing a flying save to deny Gayle once again, whilst the latter was guilty of another glaring miss.

However, there were no further additions to the scoreline, and Redbridge able to enjoy their first home league win of the season whilst Northwood – although scant consolation – can count themselves lucky to have escaped a drubbing.