The Woods recovered from losing an early lead, showing great character to bounce back and take all three points from this mid-table contest. Manager Mark Burgess was ruled out himself through suspension so gave a debut to young reserve defender Jordan Payne while the usual squad rotation saw Ismael Ehui, James Burgess and Nana Asamoah left on the bench while there was also a substitute’s place for George Nicholas, back from his modelling exploits in New York.

After a slow start to the game, it came alive on twelve minutes when some slack defending saw a ball roll towards Niko Muir and he lashed home a 25-yard shot into the top corner to give goalkeeper Dan Green no chance. Seven minutes later it might have been 2-0 as Dave Lawrence played in Joakim Ehui and when he picked out Muir with his cross, the unmarked Woods striker swept a shot over the bar. 

The Ducks began to rally and they went close on 25 minutes as a Sony French corner was met by a firm volley from Greg Williams but Ehui was well-placed to clear off the line. Aylesbury continued to press and they were rewarded after 38 minutes with an equaliser. Joey Beauchamp was put through down the right and he raced into the box before cutting the ball back where Jordan Frederick placed his shot well to beat the covering defenders.

Just before the break French fired a shot into the side-netting and the visitors continued to counter well in the second-half. It led to a second goal on 53 minutes as Beauchamp showed good pace to get ahead of Payne and although his shot smashed against a post, the ball cannoned off Paul Edgeworth and bounced over the line.

Northwood’s response was swift. Andy Lomas fired a shot that just cleared the bar and then a change of formation saw top scorer Ismael Ehui introduced for defender Payne. Their attacking ambitions were rewarded on 62 minutes as Rob Hastings raced onto a Muir flick and got ahead of his marker before a cool finish saw him beat Green to level the scores. Just three minutes later some persistent attacking play from Hastings saw a ball run to Lawrence and his cross was headed home by Perry Dicker with Green unable to do more than push the ball into the net.

The goalscorer was then substituted by the fresh legs of Nicholas who enjoyed a good run out. On 75 minutes Ismael Ehui raced onto a good ball but failed to beat the oncoming Green as he narrowed the angle. The keeper blocked and the ball ran loose to Muir but his effort was also blocked and the chance was gone.

Aylesbury made three quick changes in an effort to get back into the game but without looking likely to breach the Woods defence, and it was Northwood who should have added to the scoreline in the closing stages. Michael Murray fired wide from distance before Ismael Ehui again found space in the box only to take one touch too much and was crowded out. Then, youth striker Davantay Hastings, on as a late substitute, robbed Bill Morgan and raced into the box but he tried to round Green in goal and the keeper just managed to take the ball away.

The three points mean the Woods are in tenth place in the table with a game in hand to most of the sides around them. Next up is another home game against the other Aylesbury. The Moles still need one point to be mathematically sure of a place in the end-of-season play-offs so there is still plenty to play for as the Woods look to make it twelve home wins from twenty games this season.