Match Report
by Robin Piper

Northwood made it two away wins in the space of five days as their impressive run continued in an entertaining affair at Enfield Town.

There were a couple of changes to the Woods’ defence. Danny Power switched across to left-back to cover the absence of Ryan Tackley with Lee Holland filling the right-back berth, whilst Bradley Hewitt returned to partner Michael Peacock in central defence.

Meanwhile, John Christian vacated his central midfield role to fill in for Rob Ursell on the right flank with Mark Burgess moving into the middle of the park, whilst Solomon Henry replaced Nathan Hilaire in attack.

The game began at a blistering pace, with both sides eager to strike the first blow, Hugo Figueiredo sending a hooked shot into the arms of  home ‘keeper Dave Walton whilst Enfield’s Sammy Winston shot narrowly wide following a quickly taken free-kick.

Northwood went close once more as Walton produced a point blank save to deny Kyle Matthews after the latter had latched onto Hewitt’s knockdown from Power’s hanging free-kick.

In an open contest the play continued to ebb and flow, and Nick McKoy might have done better as he shot wide after breaking clear of the Northwood defence, whilst at the other end Hewitt skimmed the Enfield crossbar with a header from Figueiredo’s corner.

Surprisingly, the game remained goalless at half-time, but Enfield threatened immediately after the restart as former Wood Otis Williams spurned a free header, before Ryan Edgar shot weakly at ‘keeper Mitch Swain.

Having survived the scare, Northwood began to exert a measure of control with a series of attacks, Peacock seeing his shot charged down, before Henry was presented with a glorious chance to score following Power’s excellent cross – but he miscued his close-range header.

However, the deadlock was finally broken on 69 minutes, Figueiredo’s free-kick into the box eventually falling to Peacock who finished with aplomb as his shot nestled in the bottom corner for his first goal in Northwood colours.

Woods maintained the pressure on Enfield and they had a confident penalty appeal for handball turned down as the hosts defended a corner.

Northwood manager Dave Anderson made a change on 76 minutes with Henry making way for Danny Brown, who took up a position on the right flank, with Christian moving inside.

Woods went close to adding a second goal as another Hewitt header flew narrowly wide, but at the other end Swain had to produce a smart save to foil Winston.

Northwood had a lot of defending to do in the closing minutes as Enfield threw numbers forward as they strove for a share of the spoils.

Woods had chances to capitalise on the break, and should have done better as Figueiredo tried to play in Matthews.

Peacock had another shot on goal but was denied by Walton, whilst Anthony Page lifted the ball beyond the Enfield stopper, but it bounced the wrong side of the upright as the game moved deep into added time.

Laurie Walters replaced Figueiredo for the closing seconds and Walton saved well from Matthews as the curtain came down on another Northwood win.