East Grinstead Res. 4  Northwood Res. 2

Saturday 17th December 2011

Northwood Res.		Suburban League East Court, East Grinstead, Sussex
Max Easton	1	Kick Off
Dominic Franklin	2	3.00 p.m.
Ricky Blaxall	3	H/T
Dwayne Cole-Parkes	4	1-3
Michael Williams	5	Scorers
Lamin Cole	6	Northwood
Charlie Barker	7	Fehmi-Gil, Crossan
Conor Crossan	8
Yassin Fehmi-Gil	9
Julian Smith	10
Harry Wright	11
Mark Stafford	12
Mike Humphrey	14
-	15
-	16
-	17

In their last game before Christmas, away to East Grinstead, another exciting game involving our young reserve side ended in defeat, which once again seemed a bit harsh.

Even before the home side scored in the 11th minute, Yassin Fehmi-Gil had missed a chance and Conor Crossan had gone close. From a manager’s point of view, the first goal was disappointing, though, and it suggested that it has become too easy for teams to breach Northwood’s defensive wall; the midfield is as culpable as the back four.

On the half hour a booming shot from East Grinstead's left midfielder smacked against the bar and again slow reactions from the defenders allowed the rebound to find the net and it was 2-0. Just five minutes later it was 3-0, following a quick break from the home side and the fear from the away dugout was that a rout was on the cards.

In between this salvo of goals were some very good moves from the Woods, and they were rewarded in the 40th minute when Fehmi-Gil slotted home following good work from Dominic Franklin and Charlie Barker, the latter, by the way, had an inspirational first half in his new position of right midfield.

Being 3-1 down at half time meant that the next goal would be crucial, and despite a thoroughly determined approach from Northwood, who again missed chances, it was the home side that scored their fourth with their first chance of the half. It came following a break down their left, not for the first time in the match.

Northwood continued to press and went close on four occasions, but they had to wait until the 77th minute when Crossan was allowed to turn on the edge of the box, despite looking like he may have handled, and he finished with a thumping drive that gave the keeper no chance, leaving the final score at 4-2. Apart from Barker, special mention must go to Crossan, who had his best game for Northwood by miles, and Fehmi-Gil, who is surely destined to play several levels higher in due course.