Hanwell Town 4 Northwood 0
Tuesday 12th April 2022
| NORTHWOOD | |||
 |
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| 1 | Daniel Purdue | ||
| 2 | James Gurteen (54m) | ||
| 3 | Andy Lomas | ||
| 4 | Luke Tingey | ||
| 5 | Tommy Boxer (54m) | ||
| 6 | Mark Kirby | ||
| 7 | Kyal Williams | ||
| 8 | Keagan Cole © | ||
| 9 | Josh Helmore (76m) | ||
| 10 | Ronnie Mfinda | ||
| 11 | Carl Stewart | ||
| Substitutes | |||
| 12 | Lewis Batten | ||
| 14 | Will Robinson (54m) | ||
| 15 | Jesse Boateng (54m) | ||
| 16 | Sam Cahill (76m) | ||
| 17 | Kristian Belousas | ||
|
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Northwood’s short trip down the A40 proved an unproductive one as their bid to reach their fifth Charity Cup final ended in disappointment at the hands of old rivals Hanwell Town.
Matt Surmon, Ryan Young and Sydney Ibie, were the latest names to be added to a growing list of absentees as injury and illness continues to cause havoc for Woods who drafted in a couple of loanees from Chesham in the shape of Mark Kirby and Ronny Mfinda. There was a surprise return from injury for Tommy Boxer who retook 
his place in the defence with Kirby assigned a midfield role while Mfinda joined Keagan Cole in supporting Josh Helmore in attack.
On a perfect playing surface, the Geordies were quickly into their stride as former Northwood man George Nicholas sent over a testing cross which was only half cleared to Ogo Obi who saw his shot deflected for a corner. And Nicholas was involved again as he charged down, with a hint of handball, Woods’ attempt to clear down the line before laying the ball inside to Obi who in turn fed Tom Collins, the striker slotting the ball home to open the scoring with six minutes played.
Northwood responded well and Kyal Williams made inroads into the home box before being sent tumbling, but the referee waved away the penalty appeals. Woods continued to press and Hanwell were indebted to their highly rated keeper Hugo Sobte as he pulled off two excellent saves - Carl Stewart being denied at the near post after he combined well with Williams and Helmore before Boxer’s close range header was kept out after Mfinda had headed Cole’s corner back into the six-yard box.
Woods had further reason to be aggrieved as their claims for a penalty were ignored once again as Andy O’Brien appeared to handle a cross from Andy Lomas. And Northwood’s frustrations were exacerbated as they conceded a second on 33 minutes, Sobte’s long clearance finding its way to Tomasz Siemienczuk who applied the finish.
Northwood had reason to feel aggrieved after they had enjoyed a good passage of play and their mood was darkened further three minutes before the break as the hosts were awarded a penalty for handball against Kirby, Collins converting for his second strike of the evening.
Lomas wasn’t far away with a long range half-volley attempt before halftime, but Woods went into the break with much to ponder on as they looked for a way back into the tie. However, Hanwell effectively put the contest to bed within two minutes of the restart as Obi swept the ball home for his side’s fourth goal of the evening.
Woods made a double substitution as Will Robinson and Jesse Boateng replaced Boxer and Gurteen, the visitors switching to a flat back four with Kirby in defence while Cole dropped back into the middle of the park.
Northwood stuck to their task as they sought some consolation for their efforts and Robinson went close with a header as he latched onto Boeteng’s cross, while at the other end, Daniel Purdue produced a smart save to keep out Siemienczuk’s fierce shot.
Woods continued to probe, Williams’ curling shot clearing the far post, Helmore seeing his shot deflected behind while Robinson tried his luck with a first time shot which flew the wrong side of the upright. Sam Cahill entered the fray for the final quarter of an hour with Helmore making way. And Woods continued to work some good positions with Robinson firing over following good work from Williams.
Northwood’s last opportunity came in the final minute as they were awarded a freekick in a central position on the edge of the box, but Cole’s effort failed to trouble Sobte whose side had the last chance of the evening as Siemienczuk dragged a shot wide when well placed.
Report by ROBIN PIPER
