Binfield 0 Northwood 1
Saturday 11th December 2021
| NORTHWOOD | |||
 |
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| 1 | Daniel Hosier | ||
| 2 | Sam Jenkins | ||
| 3 | Matt Surmon  |
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| 4 | Keagan Cole © | ||
| 5 | Tommy Boxer | ||
| 6 | James Gurteen | ||
| 7 | Ryan Young (87m) | ||
| 8 | Teddy Stacey | ||
| 9 | Sydney Ibie | ||
| 10 | Micah Jackson | ||
| 11 | Carl Stewart | ||
| Substitutes | |||
| 12 | Matteo Esposito | ||
| 14 | Joakim Ehui | ||
| 15 | Aaron Petch | ||
| 16 | Yiannis Constantinou (87m) | ||
| 17 | Lewis Batten | ||
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Northwood secured their third consecutive away win with a hard-fought victory over Binfield as they continue the climb away from the relegation zone. The Woods were forced into a of couple changes with the unavailable Andy Lomas being replaced by Matt Surmon, who slotted into the right-back berth with Sam Jenkins switching to left-back, while injured goalkeeper Daniel Purdue was replaced by Chesham United youngster Daniel Hosier.
Woods settled well in the steady rain and on an increasingly greasy surface, Surmon breaking up a Binfield move and striding forward confidently to unleash a long-range effort, before a stretching Teddy Stacey almost got on the end of a Keagan Cole free kick to the far post.
The hosts began to find their rhythm and Joshua Helmore went close with snapshot from the edge of the box, but Northwood were soon back on the offensive as they forced a corner from which Sydney Ibie’s shot on the turn was charged down by the home defence. Binfield were looking increasingly threatening as they began to knock the ball around at pace and Kensley Maloney might have done better after being put through by Helmore, but his shot cleared the Northwood crossbar.
Woods were seeing a fair share of the possession in an entertaining opening half and Ibie wasn’t far away with a rasping shot from the edge of the box after good work from Micah Jackson. While at the other end, the Moles had the ball in the net through Ollie Harris after Hosier had done well to keep out the initial effort, but Northwood were reprieved by an offside flag.
Northwood were the next to threaten as Cole created an opening for Ryan Young who had his shot blocked before a Carl Stewart free kick from outside the box flashed narrowly wide of the upright. And the half ended with Binfield breaking quickly from deep to create a chance for Shaun Moore, but his shot failed to trouble Hosier.
Woods came out after the break with renewed vigour, and they had an early opportunity as Jackson found space to fire in a shot which rebounded out to Cole who dragged his shot wide of the target. And Northwood were rewarded for their bright start to the second period as a slick move involving Cole and Jackson ended with Young being impeded in the box as he shaped to shoot, Jackson stepping up to send keeper Harvey Rackley-Hayes the wrong way from the penalty spot and put Woods ahead on 53 minutes.
Photos by JAMES BROWN
Binfield looked to respond with another Helmore shot being blocked by the stubborn Northwood backline with the central defensive partnership of Tommy Boxer and James Gurteen looking increasingly assured. And having dealt with the danger, Woods asked further questions of their own, with Rackley-Hayes having to tip over a free-kick from Cole.
The Moles were growing increasingly anxious and striker Callum Bunting replaced Helmore on the hour as the hosts continued to look for a way back into the contest. However, Woods were an increasing threat on the break as Binfield threw greater numbers forward, Ibie working himself into a great position in the visitors’ box before being crowded out, while Jackson found himself one-on-one with Rackley-Hayes, but his attempted chip cleared the crossbar when he might have opted to take the ball on further.
Woods substitute Yiannis Constantinou entered the fray with just under ten minutes left on the clock as a replacement for Young and Northwood appeared to be in control as the clock ticked down. But with the contest moving into the final minute of normal time, tempers erupted and a melee ensued with one of Northwood’s unused substitutes, Aaron Petch, needlessly getting involved and earning himself a red card – the upshot being that that after the referee had regained control and dished out a few more cautions, he surprisingly signalled seven minutes of added time.
Binfield threw everything they had at Northwood in an increasingly desperate attempt to get back on level terms, but despite a couple of anxious moments, Woods were not to be denied a third win in four games and to equal their best winning sequence on their travels in the league since March 2014.
Report by ROBIN PIPER
