On a warm September Saturday Northwood turned up and found that they were few players missing, only 12 making the game and a distinct lack of midfielders meant that striker Paul Heath had to be a make shift central midfielder. Northwoods performance overall was probably there best of the season but the result went against them and perhaps flattered Hanley Town.
Hanley started off the better team and took the game to Northwood who with a bit of luck and some good defending managed to resist the Hanley attack, Northwood began to get a foot hold in the game and with both sides playing entertaining football with Northwood working there way through the middle and Hanley using there tricky wingers they game had all the making of a good match.
However it was a mistake from Northwood defender Lee Sherwin who under hit a back pass which was pounced up on by the Hanley striker who still had a lot to do before finishing from a tight angle. Northwood had once again gone behind when perhaps they hadn't deserved too, however credit to hanley they took there chance when it came !
Northwood seemed to get a suprised lift after going behind and went straight at Hanley from the restart and it was before long before they got there equalizer, after good hold up play down the right from Dave Ottley saw his cross converted by Paul Snape at the near post. The game was back level. Haney kicked off and the game continued to flow pretty much as hit had done all game, both teams making the most out of Hanley's superb playing surface.
Hanley took the lead after a mistake by Northwood Goal Keeper Mark Heath who's throw hit the back of Hanley Towns left winger who finished well at the near post, despite Heath's best efforts who spoke after the game of how disappointed he was with his positioning. Northwood again were behind and again responded superbly with Tony Davies trying to drive his team forward hitting the post. The half came to an end with Northwood disappointed to be behind.
Northwood came out at half time and were the better team for a good 20 mins with Hanleys goal living a charmed life ! Like the week before though Hanley defended strong, battled well and scored a third by hitting Northwood on the break with a great display of counter attacking football. Pickford, Wild (L) and Heath (M) did there best to defend against the Hanley attack but it was all in vain !! Northwood didn't let this get to them and continued to press and got there reward in a similar manor to Hanley's second goal with Hanley's goal keeper looking to break quickly and catch Northwood on the break he saw his throw hit the heals of a defender and fall to Northwood Striker Mick Nixon who finished very well lobbing the keeper from about 25 yards out !!
Northwood had once again shown great spirit and ability to battle and had got themselves back into the game, Northwood conitinued to press and were unlucky after a Matthew Cockfield freekick was well saved by the Hanley keeper who reacted well to prevent the Northwood strikers who were following in. The league game now had a cup feel to it and Northwood pressed hard trying to find an equalizer. However the come back wasn't complete after some poor officiating from the referees assistant allowed a player who was a yard off side to play on who to his credit played to the whistle and rounded the keeper well before slotting home under pressure.
Northwood had given everything but once again come out with nothing. A great game from a neutral point of view which was played from end to end and with some really pleasing football by both teams. However Hanley took there chances and left with all three points. Man of the match for Northwood was hard to choose as all the team battled hard with out any player really excelling, it goes to Chay Pickford though as he was the secretaries choice.
Man of the Match
Chay Pickford
Team
Heath (M), Wild (L), Pickford, Sherwin, Snape, Wild (M), Davies, Heath, Ottley, McGraw, Nixon
Subs
Cockfield