Aylesbury United 2 Northwood 2

Sunday 14th September 2025

NORTHWOOD




1	Sam Morris
2	Nasir Sharifi (89m)
3	Mack Miskin
4	Manny Folarin ©
5	Jack Empson
6	Carl Stewart
7	Harry McKenna (46m)
8	Ademide Baruwa
9	Dan Williams
10	Devonte Totesaut
11	Osa Otote (79m)
Substitutes
12	Jordan Ellis
14	Reece Price-Placid (46m)
15	Jamie Kennedy (89m)
16	Hicham Bouchareb (79m)
17	Chama Torsiello

A rare Sunday afternoon game, played in heavy rain, saw the Woods pick up a point on their travels but they will have been disappointed not to have held onto all three as the Ducks levelled things up only late in the contest.

It was Northwood’s first away game since the opening day of the league season over a month ago, and with Hafed Al-Droubi and Dylan Kearney both unavailable, there were a couple of changes – goalkeeper Sam Morris coming in from Watford on a month’s loan, Nasir Sharifi replacing the injured Henry Atkinson and Harry McKenna starting his first game of the season after injury.

Like the Woods, Aylesbury United had made a slow start to the new campaign and were still looking for their first goal at home but with the rain teeming down from the start, it took both sides a little while to get to grips with the greasy surface.

The first chance came on 12 minutes and it was no surprise that it was a defensive slip that gave Dan Williams a sniff of goal. Pouncing on a loose ball out wide on the left and with goalkeeper Jack Hopwood stranded, the Woods striker went for goal from a tight angle but it only found the side netting.

Just two minutes later, the Ducks were in front with their very first attack. Prince Madu hassled Williams off the ball in the centre and then it was played wide for Jed Laymen to take on Nasir Sharifi. He got past him and cut the ball back across the six-yard box where Powfil Raposo easily turned his marker and gave Morris no chance from close-range.

Four minutes later, McKenna swung in a corner which Hopwood failed to get a clean punch on. Jack Empson flicked the loose ball back over his head and Williams managed to head goalwards but it dropped just over the bar. Chances were few and far between though at both ends and there was 36 minutes on the clock when McKenna recorded the Woods first effort on target but his shot provided a comfortable save for Hopwood.

But it was the catalyst for a period of sustained pressure from the Woods which saw them turn things around. Williams seized on a loose ball, created a bit of space and then let fly with a left-footed strike that flew past the diving Hopwood and inside the post for an equaliser and his first goal since his return to the club.

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PHOTOS by James Brown to follow

Things got even better for Northwood in the final minute of the half. From a free-kick wide on the left, the ball was looped in high and a missed attempt at clearing it from Madu allowed the ball to drop to a completely unmarked skipper Manny Folarin who gleefully smashed it home.

Unfortunately, McKenna succumbed to another shoulder issue at the break, with Reece Price-Placid his replacement and again there was a slow start to the second half. The Ducks made their first change too, after 51 minutes, with goalscorer Raposo replaced by Remel Larwood. The substitute had an opportunity from a free-kick on 55 minutes but that flew just wide of the post.

Two minutes later, a good move from the Woods saw Price-Placid win a ball and find Williams who played a neat pass to get Devonte Totesaut into the box but his shot flew well over the bar; a good chance missed.

Still the rain fell and it made things difficult for both sides, though it was generally the final ball that was lacking as time ticked on. Hicham Bouchareb made his comeback from injury, replacing the hard-working Osa Otote on 79 minutes. Another goal seemed unlikely but after 85 minutes a simple ball played down the middle wasn’t cut out and it allowed Layman to get first run. For a moment, Morris looked like he might block but he hesitated and it allowed the Ducks winger to stab a shot past him for the equaliser.

Jamie Kennedy replaced Sharifi for the closing stages but the Woods were unable to create much in response. It was the sixth minute of stoppage-time that they won a free-kick and the ball was pumped into the area where Empson did manage to flick on a header but Hopwood pounced on it to ensure the point for his side.

The Woods will probably look at this as two points lost but they remain unbeaten away from home in their two games to date and will be looking to at least extend that sequence when they travel to Hertford Town next Saturday. Their opponents have enjoyed an excellent season so far with good cup runs that have only just ended and they will be also hoping to add to their 100% league record as they play only their third league fixture.

REPORT by Alan Evans



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