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Tuesday 6th October 2020
| NORTHWOOD | |||
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| 1 | Hafed Al-Droubi | ||
| 2 | Baback Dehghani (50m) | ||
| 3 | Jaden Sharman | ||
| 4 | Ryan Phillips (85m) | ||
| 5 | Dave Thomas (c) | ||
| 6 | Dan Brown | ||
| 7 | Diogo Da Silva | ||
| 8 | Marcelo Graca | ||
| 9 | Devonte Totesaut | ||
| 10 | Charlie Kuehn (78m) | ||
| 11 | Richard Ward | ||
| Substitutes | |||
| 12 | Ryan Esprit (50m) | ||
| 14 | Andre Da Costa (85m) | ||
| 15 | Taufee Skandari (78m) | ||
| 16 | Sukru Can Yildi | ||
| 17 | - | ||
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The county of Surrey proved to be an unhappy hunting ground for Northwood for a second time in the fledgling league season as South Park twice came from behind to take the spoils in an entertaining affair at Whitehall Lane.
There was a new look to the Woods line-up, with manager Rob Ursell having to contend with a growing injury list which included Calvin Dickson and George Isaac, Baback Dehghani replacing Dickson at right wing-back while Richard Ward returned to the attack in the absence of Isaac. Charlie Kuehn regained his place in a midfield missing the services of Denerson Moreira, whilst there was an old face in defence as Danny Brown came in for Reece Yorke, having previously worn the Northwood shirt over a decade ago.
And Woods made a dream start as they took the lead as early as the fourth minute as Ward latched onto Haf Al-Droubi’s goal-kick to send a sumptuous 25-yard half-volley sailing over the reach of home keeper Rohan Luthra for his first Northwood goal.
South Park looked to respond as they launched a series of swift attacks with the pacy duo of Leon Lalor Dell and Palace Francis threatening down the flanks, the latter dragging a couple of shots wide of the target. At the other end, the confident Ward tried his luck with a long range free-kick which was safely gathered this time by Luthra.
But the Sparks’ direct approach was continuing to ask questions of Northwood and the hosts found a way through on 11 minutes as they won possession on their right flank before switching play to the left where Francis had space to advance before beating Al-Droubi with a smart finish.
The hosts continued to attack with pace but the Woods rear-guard dealt with the threat before creating a couple decent chances for themselves, Devonte Totesaut, who was leading the attacking line with growing confidence, seeing a shot deflected behind for a corner before Ryan Phillips’ stinging half-volley was parried by Luthra after more good work from Totesaut.
Woods were finding increasing space down South Park’s left flank with Jaden Sharman to the fore, and the Northwood wing-back broke free before attempting to find Totesaut with a pull-back into the danger area but the home defence were able to clear the danger.
South Park gave Woods a little reminder with another swift counter, Francis sending a glancing header narrowly wide. But it was Northwood who regained the lead with another fine strike on 41 minutes, Sharman combining with Marcelo Graca after the hosts had failed to clear their lines, the ball finding its way to Totesaut who fired an unstoppable shot beyond Luthra from the edge of the box.
Dukali and Connor French both had chances for South Park before the half-time, but were unable to capitalise. And Woods spurned a glorious opportunity to go in two goals to the good as a hashed clearance from Luthra fell to the feet of Ward who unselfishly tried to find Totesaut when a first time shot might have been the better option, the chance going begging.
Ryan Esprit was introduced for Dehghani at the start of the second half and the substitute was quickly into the action as he saw his curling effort palmed away by Luthra. And Woods strong start to the second period continued as Ward combined with Totesaut who in turn found Sharman in a good position but the youngster was crowded out the Sparks defence.
But in what has been a feature of Northwood’s second half play this season, the visitors seemed to take their foot off the gas and lose their attacking momentum with South Park looking increasingly threatening. And it was no surprise when parity was restored on the hour-mark as Francis finished a sweeping South Park move with a rasping cross-shot into the top corner.
Northwood were looking increasingly vulnerable as the Sparks went for the kill with a succession of direct attacks with Dukali and Francis going close again. But Woods weathered the storm and they managed to create a couple of openings for themselves, Kuehn playing in Totesaut whose shot on the turn was gathered by Luthra while an enticing cross from Esprit just evaded Ward in the six-yard box.
South Park were soon back on the front foot with Al Droubi producing fine saves to deny substitutes Bas Savage and Josh Owen but Northwood gave the hosts a little reminder as Ward fired over from outside the box after good work from Esprit.
Kuehn made way for Taufee Skandari for his first competitive appearance as Woods looked to increase their attacking options with ten minutes left on the clock. But the substitute had little chance to make an impact as South Park took the lead for the first time on 83 minutes after Woods failed to properly clear a corner, Dukali firing a low shot through a mass of players which nestled in the bottom corner of the Woods net.
Andre Da Costa made his first competitive appearance as he was introduced for Ryan Phillips as a last throw of the dice on 85 minutes but there was no way back for Northwood as South Park saw out the remainder of the match without any scares to secure the points.
REPORT by Robin Piper
