Northwood 3 AFC Dunstable 1
Saturday 15th November 2025
| NORTHWOOD | |||
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| 1 | Andrew McCorkell | ||
| 2 | Ademide Baruwa | ||
| 3 | Harry McKenna | ||
| 4 | Gabe Cuthbert | ||
| 5 | Bryan Mankumbani | ||
| 6 | Daniel Vincent (68m) | ||
| 7 | Henry Atkinson | ||
| 8 | Carl Stewart © | ||
| 9 | Dan Williams | ||
| 10 | Jon-Jo Bates (87m) | ||
| 11 | Osa Otote (68m) | ||
| Substitutes | |||
| 12 | Nasir Sharifi (87m)  |
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| 14 | Rowan Daly (68m) | ||
| 15 | Aidan Tarrant | ||
| 16 | Devonte Totesaut | ||
| 17 | Freddie Ford (68m) | ||
AFC Dunstable: Zack David Braverman, Axel Ampedu (Joshua Clark-Anderson 77m), Carmicheal Uchenna, Maksymilian Jarzabek, Shawn Joseph |
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The Woods finally ended their long wait for a home league win, coming from behind to beat fellow-strugglers AFC Dunstable with an excellent second half performance which, in front of the biggest crowd of the season at The Skyline, saw them climb above their opponents in the table and end a run of ten league games without a win.
Having crashed at home to London Lions in midweek, the
re were several changes made to the starting line-up with skipper Manny Folarin and Omar Rowe both ruled out with suspensions while goalkeeper Hafed Al-Droubi was unavailable with Andrew McCorkell replacing him between the sticks for his first run-out since last season. The Under 18s were represented by Henry Atkinson from the start, while three other members of that squad were on the bench. Jon-Jo Bates returned, Harry McKenna dropped to the left-back position and there was a return second debut for the experienced Dan Vincent in midfield having re-joined from Wessex League side Yateley United.
The visitors were on a similarly poor run of form with just one win in their last fourteen league games and this contest was a reverse of the opening-day league fixture which ended in a 2-2 draw. With goalkeeper Matthew Bonsu suspended, they drafted in 18-year-old ex-Northwood Youth Zack Braverman on loan from Watford for his senior debut.
There was a pretty slow start to the game but the ODs had a good chance to grab an early lead after 12 minutes when a good through-ball let in Tra Lucas and he lobbed it over McCorkell as he came out but put the ball wide of the target.
The Woods worked their way into the match after this with Osa Otote ending a good run down the left by cutting in and getting a shot on target but it lacked power and the keeper saved comfortably. Three minutes later, Dan Williams raced onto a ball down the left but skied his shot.
Otote did better on 20 minutes when he took on his marker and tried a left-foot strike which Braverman had to dive across to his left to push away and a defender hacked the loose ball off for a corner with Bates threatening in behind.
AFC Dunstable were also getting into good positions in an open game and Thomas Blennerhassett was denied a shot on goal by a great tackle from young defender Gabe Cuthbert two minutes later but the Woods should have been in front on 27 minutes. Bates raced into the box and sent over an inviting cross which was met by Atkinson but his shot crashed back off the bar and Braverman then did well to save a follow-up header from Williams.
A similar run from Bates almost set up Otote for a close-range strike but that was blocked and then Ademide Baruwa played a great ball down the right for Williams to threaten but his shot was saved at the near-post by the keeper once more.
Having survived those chances, the visitors then took the lead after 38 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick wide on the right. It was curled in by skipper George Joyce and met by Carmichael Uchenna who ghosted in unmarked at the back and cushioned a left-footed volley across goal and inside the far post for a classy finish.
The ODs made a double-substitution at the break but the Woods pushed for an equaliser from the start. Atkinson was given a chance for a shot inside the box almost immediately but he chose to pass across goal and the visitors scrambled it away. Vincent tried a low shot from just outside the area which had Braverman diving to his right to save and then an excellent ball from Carl Stewart almost picked out Williams but he couldn’t control his touch in front of goal.
But Northwood did level the scores on 57 minutes when Bates showed great tenacity down the left and his cross from the byline picked out Vincent in an attacking position and he stooped to head past Braverman for a good finish.
Three minutes later it was Vincent again who was picked out by a Stewart free-kick but this time his header was comfortably taken by the OD’s keeper who was kept busy soon after when Stewart set up Atkinson to whip in a great cross from the right. Williams was up well to steer a header towards the bottom corner but Braverman dived across to push the ball wide.
The side was freshened up by the introduction of two teenagers with Freddie Ford and Rowan Daly introduced for Otote and Vincent and it brought more good energy to the Woods.
The constant pressure finally paid dividends after 70 minutes as Williams got the ball wide on the right and cut inside to shoot. Braverman pushed the ball out to his left but Bates was well-positioned to pounce and he beat the defender to fire home for his first goal of the season.
There was a crucial third goal for the Woods on 74 minutes when the visitors lost the ball in midfield and Bates found Williams in space. He took a quick touch onto his left and then let fly from twenty-five yards with a screamer that arrowed into the top corner to give the keeper no chance.
Northwood defended solidly in the final stages with the visitors restricted to just a few forays into the area and a couple of penalty appeals which were quickly denied by the Referee and the Woods could enjoy their two-goal advantage through to the final whistle. Good performances all over the field with Jon-Jo Bates named Man of the Match for his inspirational performance including a goal and two assists.
They will now be looking to build on that elusive victory when they travel to Flackwell Heath on Tuesday night while also hoping to maintain their unbeaten away record!!
REPORT by Alan Evans
