Northwood Res. 0  Met. Police Res. 2

Saturday 3rd September 2011

Northwood Res.		Suburban League Chestnut Ave, Northwood
Max Easton	1	Kick Off
Michael Williams	2	3.00 p.m.
Callum Scrivens	3	H/T
Doug Fitzgerald	4	0-1
Dominic Franklin	5	Scorers
Kerran Pacquette	6	Northwood
Julian Smith	7	n/a
Marcus Sawyer	8
Adam Doe	9
Charlie Barker	10
Jimmy Froud	11
Ghislain Yoro (11)	12
Jullian Cole (6)	14
Nathan Williams (10)	15
Reece Fallon	16
	17

The first half was a good learning experience for Northwood's young team on how to play with confidence. The Met Police team were very tidy with the ball going forwards and they controlled the first half: their movement off the ball was very good and Northwood struggled to track their runners from midfield.

Max Easton kept Northwood in the game by making two very good saves when attackers were through on goal.  Met Police also missed two very good chances, one being a cut back from the goal line and an easy finish not taken. The visitors were very impressive on their set plays, working short corners, free kicks and throw ins many times and they repeatedly caught out Northwood.

Throughout the first half the Northwood team did not work hard enough, there was little energy from the front and when the play broke down in midfield Northwood were disorganised as a unit. They also showed very little quality on the ball in the first half. Both Kerran Pacquette and Adam doe struggled to get in to the game in wide areas, and there were so many wasted balls played over the top of the Met Police defence. However, for a ten minute spell in the first half Northwood played some football and the possession enabled them to open up a good chance for Marcus Sawyer, which he struck wide. Woods trailed 0-1 at the break, but they were fortunate with that scoreline.

The second half was certainly an improved performance, as there was more energy to Northwood's play and chances were being created. Ghislain Yoro and Julian Cole added pace to the team and suddenly Met Police were on the back foot. For the first time in the game Northwood got in behind the Police back line through Julian Cole: he showed good pace and played in two crosses which were close to being converted. 

Pacquette had an excellent attempt at goal which came back off the crossbar and Ghislain Yoro had a good chance at a wide angle but failed to hit the target. Julian Smith and Marcus Sawyer also played with more confidence in the second half, both winning more challenges and showing more willingness to play. Additionally, the back four was tighter and won more arial challenges. Unfortunately the Northwood goal never came during a spell of good pressure.

Met Police added a second goal on 80 minutes, and this was to guarantee the points. The play in the last ten minutes was very scrappy and Met Police were comfortable at 2-0. Police were the stronger of the three teams that Northwood have played so far, but this game was a good learning experience for Northwood's young team.

Report: IAN BUCKINGHAM