With both teams looking to make the most of the slick pitch Northwood knowing if they won they’d go second and Manor looking to bounce back from defeat against Chesterton. It was Manor who made the better start, using there target man and winger very well, both winger switched and played on both sides giving Northwood problems to mark. Manor threatened in the first 20 minutes going close with a few shots from distance but Goalkeeper Mark Heath was in fine form and dealt with the shot’s relatively easily, it wasn’t until around the thirtieth minute mark that a well hit shot from around 20 yards was deflected by Lee Sherwin, wrong footing the goalkeeper and going in off the post. This was a blow to Northwood who had defended well whilst Manor were on top.
Northwood responded well in the last ten minutes of the first half and went close with efforts from Paul Heath and Mick Nixon. However it was Manor that went in at the break a goal to the good and deservedly so as they had been the better team and there wingers caused a constant threat.
A few chosen words of inspiration by Northwood Manager Kevin Ellis saw his team get straight out of he blocks in the second half and really get a Manor in, still however Northwood didn’t really make any clear cut chances but were certainly putting pressure on Manor.
However around the fifty fifth minute mark and uncharacteristic mistake from the Northwood goalkeeper saw his kick drop straight to the Manor forward who rounded him well to slot home.
This was blow to Northwood who’d battled hard and deserved more out of the game by this stage. Still Northwood didn’t let there heads drop and continued to get straight back at Manor and help out goalkeeper Mark Heath who’d saved Northwood so many times in the past.
Northwood continued to press but it wasn’t until around the sixty fifth minute that a Gary Tams free kick was flicked on by Chay Pickford on the edge of the area for Nick McGraw to get in behind the defense and finish well from 8 yards out with a superbly executed half volley.
Northwood were back in the game and continued to grow, subs Dave Ottley and Adam Fox were introduced to freshen things up and slotted in like they’d played all game. Northwood continued to press and around went close when Mathew Cockfield fired the ball straight at the Manor Keeper who saved well and managed to hold onto the ball.
However the pressure and possession finally paid of when sub Dave Ottley got him self in the right place and the right time and turned in a low hard Nick McGraw cross from a yard out. Northwood were now bouncing and a few of the Manor players looked deflated. Northwood had worked hard to get back to this stage and were now looking for the win,
Around the seventy fifth minute Martin Wild slid a pass into captain Tony Davies around 35 yards out who drifted passed 3 player and slot home with a superb finish into the goalkeepers far left hand side top corner, a goal worthy of winning any game.
Northwood now had there lead and the only question was could they hold onto, for the remaining ten minutes Manor really got at Northwood, urgency was the key and they started to go long, using there target man very well who win most of the headers, however it was Northwood’s ability to deal with the second ball that got them the result.
A great game for the neutral with both sides making the most of the good surface and playing good football, some firm but fair tackles and five goals, who could ask for more, Manor would have been disappointed with the result but never really made there first half pressure pay, however credit must also be given to them for there never say die attitude and they battled to the end.
Man of the match goes to Tony Davies for his captains performance and goal of pure class that was worthy of winning any game.
Man of the Match - Tony Davies
Team
Heath (M), Wild (L), Tams, Sherwin, Cockfield, Davies, Brown, Pickford, Heath (P), Nixon, McGraw
Subs - Ottley, Wild (M), Fox
Subs not used - Powner, Snape