Camberley Town U18 0  Northwood U18 2 

Monday 22nd February 2016

NORTHWOOD UNDER 18		Ryman Youth League
Team line-up
1	Lewis Everett
2	Runako Connel
3	Matt Parsons
4	Dylan Louis
5	Albie Shehan-Cozens
6	Dylan Noble
7	Mase Leung
8	Jay Thorne
9	Andy Ali
10	Jack McDonnell
11	Michael Brown
Substitutes
12	Will  Holland
14	-
15	Tav Royer
16	Charlie McInereny
17	Freddie Buckley

After a good journey down to Camberley we sat in the changing room well before kick off and discussed the importance of a winning mentality, winning personal battles, working as a team and above all commitment, individual and as a team. Frankly as a management team when everyone turns up on time and we get the opportunity to get to games 90 minutes before kick off….. it pays dividends. The importance of preparation. We knew if we took our chances, pondering the fact we hit the post 9 times against Camberley in the home fixture, we would do well.
Myles Martin and Louis Moriarty had to withdraw from the squad on the morning of the game.

Northwood took the game straight to Camberley and in the first 15 minutes, Camberley struggled to retain any possession, they relied as they did for much of the game with long balls over the top of the defence. With Dylan Noble and Albie Shehan in top form they gave absolutely nothing to the two Camberley strikers to feed on. When Camberley went right they hit a brick wall in the form of Runako Connel or left Matt Parsons. Even the odd ball that went over the defence was confidently swept up by the impressive Lewis Everett, making his Ryman League debut in the Northwood goal, mentored last night by the ex QPR academy keeper Charlie McInerney. Lewis had a reasonably quiet opening 20 minutes but when called into action on 30 minutes made a couple of good quality saves.

Another new signing Jay Thorne added that extra quality; he anchored the midfield with the ever hard working duo,  Dylan Louis and Jack McDonnel who harassed and chased every ball all night, the three didn’t give Camberley any time on the ball, effectively resulting in Camberley knocking the long ball.  Northwood had a string of first half chances, with George Boughton making fine saves, from Dylan Louis, Jack McDonnell and Andy Ali, very much as he did against us in the previous fixture at Northwood. Michael Brown had another great game, working hard in defence as in attack, it was Michael who had the best scoring opportunity of the half, created himself after a one two on 40 minutes with Andy Ali, Michael sprinted clear blasted a shot  heading for the top corner, only to see Broughton to make another fine save finger tip on to the Camberley bar and away for a corner. Our set pieces were slightly disappointing on the night, with over Eight first half corners we failed to make any impression on the Camberley goal. Andy Ali was a constant danger, Camberley could not cope with his pace, several times he was clean through one on one, only being beaten on most occasions by the linesman flag. A half of good Northwood possession, a very strong defensive performance, we were very impressed with our attitude and determination. Northwood played by far the better football.

We decided to push Dylan Louis further up to the attacking 10 role, to support Andy, we came to win, and we felt we were in control with Jack and Jay performing well in the centre, we knew they would create good opportunities. We also knew it was Camberley game to chase, they were third in the league, everyone had to work to pass and receive the ball short, building play and controlling the possession controlling the game. Jay dropped back to just in front of the defence, and Will Holland came on at the break for Matt Parsons.

Within a few minutes of the restart, Michael Brown had broken clear on the left and his cross just evaded Andy Ali at the back post, so close. Freddie Buckley replaced Mase Leung on 55 minutes, Freddie with his first touch broke clear, his cross finding Michael Brown on the penalty spot, instead of shooting, he unselfishly fed Andy, but his shot was well saved by Boughton. This was the theme for much of the second half; a confident Northwood display, great in possession, very creative, accurate passing, good movement, players wanting the ball and this led to a string of good chances, the best 2nd half chance then falling to Andy Ali on 60 minutes when he received the ball on the half way line, from Albie, turned and his pace took him clear, rounded the keeper, but Andy’s last touch just gave himself a too wide angle and hit the side netting. For the next 10 minutes Northwood were in control, another phase of good possession found Michael brown,  Michael fed Jack McDonnell in the box with his back to goal, on 70 minutes, he held off the Camberley defender Josh Kempton, as Jack turned the Camberley defender, took Jack to the ground and a penalty was awarded. Jack stepped up and blasted the ball past the impressive Boughton, 1-0 Northwood.

Camberley made a string of subs and pushed three up top, again the Northwood  back five stood stronger than ever; Jay Thorne was orchestrating the Northwood passing from deep, both Will and Runako pushed out wide and forced their attacking opponents into defensive roles. Northwood were dictating a fast pace with slick one touch passing, and on 80 minutes a play which started with Will Holland through a phase of 10-11 passes, ended up with Andy Ali clean through, he slipped the ball back out left to the invigorated Michael Brown, who slotted the ball home, only to be ruled offside (never in a million years!!). If either team looked like scoring it was Northwood, and it was on 89 minutes Andy Ali fed by Michael Brown raced clear, dummied the Camberley keeper and slotted into an empty net: 2-0.

A hard working, more all round quality team performance, a good blend of strong defending, energetic skilful football, delightful to watch at times, but when we had to dig deep the character and the determination in this squad was there in abundance…..a well deserved victory.

Report by GARRY MORIARTY