Northwood 0 Bracknell Town 2
Tuesday 2nd November 2021
| NORTHWOOD | |||
 |
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| 1 | Daniel Purdue | ||
| 2 | Pablo Velasco | ||
| 3 | Giovanni Palmer | ||
| 4 | Tecane Shrowder | ||
| 5 | Arnold Linturn (59m) | ||
| 6 | Ryan Avery | ||
| 7 | Joakim Ehui © (65m) | ||
| 8 | Matt Ayres (44m) | ||
| 9 | Melos Ajvazi | ||
| 10 | Leo Decabo | ||
| 11 | Ismael Ehui | ||
| Substitutes | |||
| 12 | Declan Nche (65m) | ||
| 14 | Matteo Esposito (44m) | ||
| 15 | Matt Surmon (59m) | ||
| 16 | Aaron Petch | ||
| 17 | Montel Joseph | ||
|
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It was top versus bottom on a cold evening under the lights at the Fenton Civil Engineering Stadium, but there was to be no upsetting of the odds as the Robins took the three points back to Berkshire. There was one change to the Woods line up with Pablo Velasco coming back in as a replacement for Adam Cash at right back.
Northwood were given a severe examination from the off with speedy Seb Bowerman looking particularly dangerous as the visitors forced a series of early corners – Duncan Culley having a close-range shot blocked while Anthony Cheshire was unable to direct his free header past Woods keeper Daniel Purdue.
However, Northwood’s resistance was broken as the Robins took a 9th minute lead through seasoned striker Dave Tarpey who got the better of Ryan Avery as he cut into the Northwood box before sending the ball beyond Purdue.
The was no let up for the hosts as Velasco twice cleared off the line to deny Scott Rees and Temi Eweka. But the inevitable happened as Cheshire extended the Robins lead on 25 minutes as he home at the near post from a corner.
Unfortunately, it was looking like a damage limitation exercise for Northwood, even at this early stage of the contest, and they were indebted to Purdue as he pulled of a succession of fine saves to deny Max Herbert, Tarpey on a couple of occasions and Michael Atkinson.
Woods were forced into a change on the stroke of half time as Matteo Esposito replaced Matt Ayres who was struggling with the effects of a dead leg, but they managed to get to the break without any further damage to score line.
After Bracknell created a couple of early second half chances where Culley prodded narrowly wide and Eweka went close with a header, Woods gradually began to gain some attacking momentum – Melos Ajvazi being denied by a superb reaction save from former Northwood youngster Sonny Wheeler as he kept out a close-range effort following Velasco’s pinpoint cross.
Woods were competing well and seeing more of the ball in a much improved second half showing as they looked to gain something from the contest. Northwood made a second substitution just before the hour mark as Matt Surmon replaced Avery in central defence while Declan Nche for Joakim Ehui in the midfield was the final change with 25 minutes left on the clock.
Woods stuck to their task and good work from Leo Decabo on their right flank almost created another chance for Ajvazi, but the enticing cross just evaded the head of the Northwood striker.
However, the Bracknell rear-guard proved too strong for Northwood and it was the Robins who finished the game on the front foot as Purdue pulled off further saves to keep out attempts from Bowerman, Eweka and Mickel Platt to keep the score line respectable and a fair reflection of Woods’ second half efforts.
Report by ROBIN PIPER
