Northwood made it two wins in a week for new manager Mark Barnham as they overcame lowly Harlow Town. Woods made heavy weather of overcoming the basement club, but eventually found their scoring boots in the second half to record a deserved win.

There were a couple of changes to the Northwood line-up, Harry Smart joining Leon Osei in attack with Sam Sharples reverting to the bench, whilst Gilbert Nuako returned from suspension to replace Ryan Tackley at left-back.

Woods began in a positive fashion and Anthony Page was denied by a last ditch tackle after good work from Osei before the latter created an opening for Kyle Matthews, but his firm shot was tipped over the crossbar by Hawks’ goalkeeper James Hasell.

Harlow briefly threatened through Craig Charles but his shot was comfortably dealt with by ‘keeper Bobby Smith and Northwood were soon back on the attack with Hasell having to deal with a Smart effort before the Hawks’ ‘keeper was called into action again to tip a Michael Peacock header over the bar. Hasell was being kept busy and he was alert to the danger as he diverted a goal-bound header from one of his own defenders while the visiting defence.

Having been unable to find the goals which their play deserved, Woods began to lose their way, and there was a period of play with little being created at either end. However, Northwood regrouped and they finished the half strongly, with Nuako and Osei being denied by Hasell, but the deadlock remained unbroken as the half-time whistle sounded.

Woods made a change at the break with Matthews standing down, Tackley entering the fray at left-back and Nuako moving into the left flank position vacated by Matthews. And Northwood didn’t have to wait long for the opening goal, as Seeby saw his deflected shot loop over Hasell to give the hosts the lead on 48 minutes.

Woods kept up the pressure on the Hawks’ defence and Hasell was on hand once again when Smart’s shot rebounded of the legs of the Harlow stopper after a neat pullback from Osei.

In a rare Harlow attack Bobby Smith was called upon to deal with a half-volley from Reece Dobson but Woods were soon on the offensive again, with Aaron Cato being denied by some good defending from Dobson after Tackley’s long throw caused panic in the visitors’ defence.

Cato made way for Will Hudson on 62 minutes, with the substitute slotting into the right midfield berth, but Northwood had to do some defending as Smith produced saves to deny Dobson and Lee Protheroe. At the other end Hasell parried a shot from Osei, whilst John Christian was not far away with a curling shot which just cleared the far post.

But Northwood were punished for their failure to kill off the game when the Hawks drew level on 75 minutes, substitute Aaron Scott converting the loose ball after Smith had fumbled Knight’s free-kick.
John Sonuga replaced Smart in the Northwood attack as the hosts looked to regain the lead, but it was Harlow who had opportunities to gain the advantage, Dobson and Emmanuel Osei squandering good chances.

Having survived the scares Woods might have been happy to take a point, but Hudson had other ideas as he headed the ball home on 88 minutes for his first senior goal after Danny Power’s cross was headed back into the danger area by Anthony Page.

The goal knocked the stuffing out of Harlow, and there were no further scares for Northwood who completed their third 2-1 win in a row to keep their renewed challenge for the play-off places on track.

Report by ROBIN PIPER

Photos by James Brown