Northwood 1 Uxbridge 0

Tuesday 28th February 2023

NORTHWOOD




1	Andrew McCorkell
2	Sam Jenkins
3	James Gurteen
4	Carl Stewart
5	Luke Tingey ©
6	Harry Gallagher (66m)
7	Shane Cojocarel (87m)
8	Teddy Stacey
9	Gareth Chendlik (73m)
10	Dan Williams
11	Micah Jackson
Substitutes
12	Junior Paiva (87m)
14	Josh Helmore (73m)
15	Keagan Cole
16	Parris Mason
17	Brandon Kalu (66m)
	Uxbridge: Henry Grad, Joshua Andrew, Lewis Patrick, Luke Paris, Andy O’Brien (Presley Evans 66m), Joe Jackson, Kensley Maloney (Sean McGuinness 81m), Alan Hedley, Alex Witham, Anthony Mendy, Jordan Ireland (Eitel Goueth 46m)

Northwood’s revival continued with a second win in four days as they overcame local rivals Uxbridge courtesy of a wonder strike from Harry Gallagher. Woods made one change to their starting line-up after Keagan Cole failed a pre-match fitness test on the strain he suffered in the win over Ashford Town with Gallagher taking his place in the three-man defence.

The visitors could have made the perfect start as Tony Mendy got beyond the Woods defence, but goalkeeper Andrew McCorkell spread himself well to deny the Uxbridge striker. And Northwood responded with an incisive move which saw former Uxbridge man Gareth Chandler pick out Teddy Stacey on the edge of the box and his deflected shot was palmed away by keeper Henry Grad.

Woods kept up their early momentum as they forced another corner, Micah Jackson’s recycled ball into the box being cleared out to Gallagher who struck a sublime half-volley from fully 25-yards which arrowed into the top corner of the net to open the scoring with seven minutes played.

Confident Northwood were immediately back on the attack as Chendlik beat the offside trap before cutting in on the angle, but his shot was comfortably gathered by Grad. And Chendlik was involved again as he released Dan Williams who cut into the box before firing narrowly over as he looked to score against his former club.

But Uxbridge reminded Woods of the threat they offered as a couple of swift counterattacks presented Mendy with opportunities to equalise – lifting the ball over McCorkell but onto the roof of the net before firing wide after breaking down Northwood’s left flank.

There was nice ebb and flow to the contest as the half progressed – Shane Cojocarel latching onto Sam Jenkins’ ball over the top but Grad was quickly out to smother the danger while at the other end, McCorkell safely dealt with a dangerous cross into Northwood’s six-yard box.

PHOTOS by James Brown

Williams remained a constant worry to Uxbridge with his pace and on the stroke of half-time, visiting skipper Andy O’Brien took one for his team as Williams looked to spin away and break clear with the referee deciding a yellow card was sufficient punishment.

The second period began with Uxbridge on the front foot as McCorkell saved from former Wood Alex Witham before Mendy saw his shot deflected wide and Luke Paris headed wide from a corner.

Uxbridge continued to dominate possession with Northwood looking to counter when possible, one such attack presenting Carl Stewart with a glorious chance to extend the lead after a neat interchange between Williams and Jenkins, the ball taking a slight bobble as Stewart looked to convert from 10-yards.

But for all their possession, Uxbridge continued to be betrayed by a lack of quality in the final third with Woods threatening further goals on the break – Williams sending a half-volley over the bar from a Chendlik flick-on before the former ran onto Luke Tingey’s pass and lifted his shot over Grad but saw it drop the wrong side of the upright.

Northwood made a couple of changes with Brandon Kalu replacing Harry Gallagher while Chendlik made way for Josh Helmore. And Woods went close as Williams’ shot on the turn was pocketed by Grad. Meanwhile, Mendy’s frustrating evening continued as he stabbed wide when well placed.

Junior Pavia’s introduction for Cojocarel completed Woods’ substitutions and the replacement was quickly into the action as he found space down the right flank before pulling the ball back to Stewart who was unable to get the required connection on his shot. And Pavia was in the thick of it again moments later as Gard parried his shot behind for a corner.

But with the game deep into stoppage time, Uxbridge had one last opportunity to glean something from the evening as Mendy sent the ball over into a crowded box but Paris was unable to direct his header on target to ensure the points, and with it the local bragging rights, remained with Northwood.

REPORT by Robin Piper