Basingstoke Town 1 Northwood 3
Saturday 15th January 2022
| NORTHWOOD | |||
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| 1 | Daniel Purdue | ||
| 2 | Sam Jenkins  |
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| 3 | Andy Lomas | ||
| 4 | Keagan Cole © | ||
| 5 | Tommy Boxer |
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| 6 | James Gurteen | ||
| 7 | Kyal Williams (70m) | ||
| 8 | Teddy Stacey | ||
| 9 | Josh Helmore (79m) | ||
| 10 | Sydney Ibie (90m) | ||
| 11 | Carl Stewart | ||
| Substitutes | |||
| 12 | Micah Jackson (79m) | ||
| 14 | Ryan Young (70m) | ||
| 15 | Yiannis Constantinou | ||
| 16 | Matt Surmon | ||
| 17 | Alex More (90m) | ||
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Away day specialists Northwood made it four consecutive league wins on their travels with an impressive victory over fifth placed Basingstoke Town.
Woods lined up in a 3-4-3 formation with Sydney Ibie and Kyal Williams playing either side of Josh Helmore in attack, while there was a return to the starting eleven for keeper Daniel Purdue who replaced Dan Hosier who picked up an injury in the pre-game warm up.
The contest got off to a lively start with Basingstoke’s James Hayworth picking up an early caution for a cynical challenge on Kyal Williams, Keagan Cole’s resulting free-kick into the box just running away from Tommy Boxer at the far post.
Woods continued their bright start as Andy Lomas worked a good position before delivering a teasing cross which just failed to reach the threatening Helmore. And Northwood were good value for taking the lead with 17 minutes on the clock as Sam Jenkins played in Helmore who showed great strength and composure, holding off a couple of defenders before calmly stroking the ball home.
The Dragons were rattled by conceding the opening goal and they were struggling to make much of an impression on Northwood who were keeping them well at bay, Jack French’s long-range effort flying harmlessly over the woodwork.
Woods were finding plenty of space down both flanks, Ibie almost capitalising on Carl Stewart’s cross with a shot on the turn which flew wide of the target. And Northwood’s wingbacks were getting into advanced positions with a Lomas cross finding Jenkins who went to ground with a knee in his back, the referee waving away the penalty appeals.
Photos by JAMES BROWN
Basingstoke thought they had drawn level on 36 minutes as French redirected McKoy Palmer’s volley into the net after Purdue had punched clear, an offside flag coming to Northwood’s rescue.
And Woods finished the half strongly with Williams to the fore as he first saw his shot gathered by keeper Paul Strudley after a jinking run before his cross picked out Stewart whose volleyed attempt cleared the Basingstoke crossbar.
Northwood had the perfect start to the second half as they extended their lead on 48 minutes, Teddy Stacey beginning and finishing a sweeping move as he released Williams whose crisp shot was parried by Strudley and fell nicely to the on-rushing Stacey who made no mistake on the follow-up for his first league goal.
The hosts needed a quick response if they were to get back in the contest and they went close as Robert Sheridan hooked the ball wide as he latched onto a cross to the far post. Basingstoke made a double substitution with Benjamin Cook and Stefan Brown entering the fray and the Dragons enjoyed a spell of pressure as the forced a series of corners with Cook shooting wide, before Purdue produced a couple of smart saves to deny Conor Lynch and Bradley Wilson.
Woods’ backline continued to stand up to the test with James Gurteen enjoying his best game since his return to the club as Basingstoke continued to be frustrated. Ryan Young was introduced for Williams, who had enjoyed a fine game, with 71 minutes on the clock. But Northwood had some more defending to do as Purdue made a double save to deny Lynch and Brown before Nathan Smart saw his long-range shot clear the crossbar.
Woods made another change as Helmore made way for Micah Jackson for the final ten minutes. And the substitute was integral to Northwood’s third goal as he won possession in the middle of the park before playing the ball through to Young who unselfishly squared to Ibie who applied the finish to effectively end the contest on 86 minutes. And Northwood kept their foot on the gas as Stacey saw his shot saved by the feet of Strudley.
Alexander More replaced Ibie as Woods looked to see out the final minutes, but they were unfortunately unable to keep a clean sheet as Wilson fired in a consolation goal deep in stoppage time. But that wasn’t enough to dampen Woods’ spirits as they were able to celebrate another impressive away win which takes them four points clear of the bottom of the table.
Report by ROBIN PIPER
