Chipstead 1 Northwood 0

Saturday 11th February 2023

NORTHWOOD




1	Andrew McCorkell
2	Sam Jenkins (86m)
3	Andy Lomas
4	Riccardo Alexander-Greenaway
5	Luke Tingey ©
6	James Gurteen
7	Sandro Costa
8	Micah Jackson
9	Josh Helmore (63m)
10	Gareth Chendlik
11	Carl Stewart
Substitutes
12	Junior Paiva (86m)
14	Keegan Cole (63m)
15	Romario Jonas
16	Harry Gallagher
17	Dan Daggett
	Chipstead: Matt Kerbey , Jerry O’Sullivan , Charlie Kennett, Teddy Perkins, Michak Stanic-Stewart. Jensen Grant, Peter Wedgeworth, Thomas Smith (Daniel Pappoe 40m), Andy Kabuikusomo , Jonathan Hood , Michael Dixon (Ben Senior 84m )

Northwood slipped to their third defeat in four league games as they found the Chips an impossible nut to crack on a frustrating afternoon in deepest Surrey.

Woods were unchanged from the previous week’s success over Guernsey as they looked to improve upon the goalless stalemate when the two sides met in October.

But the visitors immediately had some defending to do as Jonathan Hood saw his shot deflected into the side-netting before the same player sent a 25-yard freekick into the arms of keeper Andrew McCorkell.

Having stood up to the initial Chipstead burst, Woods went close as the Chips failed to clear a Luke Tingey throw into the box with Micah Jackson’s far post shot being cleared behind for a corner.

The contest continued at a furious pace with Peter Wedgeworth trying his luck from distance for the hosts while at the other end, Jackson’s 25-yard effort was comfortably gathered by Matt Kerbey. And the ebb and flow became the pattern as a strong run from Sam Jenkins ended with his low shot being turned round the post by Kerbey before McCorkell did the same as he dealt with a effort from Michael Dixon.

After a promising start, the contest gradually became an increasingly scrappy and feisty affair as the referee seemed to lose his grip on proceedings although Hood could have few complaints for the yellow card he received after a poor challenge on Riccardo Alexander-Greenaway.

Northwood has an opportunity to close the opening period on a high as they were awarded a freekick on the edge of the Chipstead box, but the wall did its job as Jackson’s effort was diverted.

The Chips threatened early in the second period as Charlie Kennett broke away, but Tingey was on hand to avert the danger as he blocked the shot. Northwood fashioned an opportunity of their own as Carl Stewart’s floated pass picked out Sandro Costa but the latter was unable to square the ball for the waiting Gareth Chendlik.

PHOTOS by John Joyce

However, the afternoon’s pivotal moment arrived shortly before the hour as Chipstead were awarded a hugely questionable penalty with many in the ground scratching their heads as to how the referee had discerned that James Gurteen had impeded Andy Kabuikusomo for such a decision – Hood stepping up to send McCorkell the wrong way to put the Chips in front on 56 minutes.

But two minutes later Northwood had a clear penalty shout when Sandro Costa was floored; it looked a clear spot-kick, but nothing was given this time!

Keagan Cole was introduced for Josh Helmore as aggrieved Northwood looked for a way back but McCorkell had to be at his best as he tipped over a rasping shot from Michael Dixion.

Woods were growing increasingly desperate in the face of the full range of spoiling tactics employed by the hosts, for which as they earnt a raft of yellow cards, as they looked to hang onto the points. But Chipstead were indebted to Kerbey as he pulled off a fine double save to deny Alexander-Greenaway and Jackson.

Jackson made way for substitute Junior Pavia with the clock ticking down, but Northwood were unable to muster the necessary quality in the final third to retrieve the situation – Carl Stewart’s blocked half-volley attempt in stoppage time the final note in an ultimately tedious and disappointing affair.

REPORT by Robin Piper