Northwood Town Fc

After an indifferent run of results which included two losses and a draw Northwood really needed a win to keep there promotions hopes alive. Manager Kevin Ellis returned after missing the Chesterton game and made several changes due to injuries and winter illness.

 

The game kicked off with fog surrounding the pitch but with visibility still good. From the off both teams looking to get the ball down and play football. Redgate appeared to have started with a 4-3-3 formation and making it difficult for Northwood by turning into a five man midfield when they didn’t have the ball.

 

Northwood had arguably the better first half Striker Micky Nixon broke clear of the Redgate defence only to find his shot saved. Redgate didn’t really create a great deal in the first half but went close when there right winger got in behind the Northwood defence only to find his shot well saved by goalkeeper Mark Heath.

 

Northwood continued to press and it was Nixon again who broke free and after a mix up in the Redgate defence struck a tame shot whilst attempting to chip the keeper. Northwood Still pressed but couldn’t find there break through. Nixon and Ottley going close but with no end result. Redgate’s only other chance of the first half came when there centre midfielder shot from distance after Northwood cleared a corner, however the shot was well saved again.

 

The halftime whistle came and Town were again guilty of not taking there chances, Manager Kevin Ellis gave his talk and Northwood went out feeling confident. However when they got out they were met by a wall of fog. The game was now in danger of being called off.

 

The game kicked off and Redgate seemed to settle the better of the two teams, again looking to hit there target man up front and feed there wings. Northwood dug in and defended well with Powner and Sherwin looking solid. Northwood did however ride there luck as Gate hit the post twice in a 10 minute period.

 

The game was heading for a stalemate until Pickford ran the ball out of the defence then scooping the ball over the Redgate defence with Nixon running clear and finishing what was probably his most difficult chance of the day lobbing the on coming keeper whilst under pressure from a defender.

 

Redgate changed the shape to 4-4-2 and Northwood changed to counter this with Lee Wild reverting from midfield to right back. The game looked over and the points looked certain for Town until a good ball put Gates winger through who was forced wide by keeper Heath but found himself with the goal gaping only to be denied by a match winning tackle by Powner.

 

The final whistle came and Northwood had won. Northwood were the better team in the first half and created several good chances, however Redgate looked the better team in the second half but other than hitting the post didn’t really create many clear chances. From a biased point of view Northwood arguably deserved the victory as they had the better chances, from a neutral’s view Redgate could have argued they deserved and draw and may have had a case. However Town did take there chance and got there win.

 

There were a few Town players who deserved the man of the match award with Brown and Wild doing well in midfield, Nixon looking sharp up front and Powner and Sherwin looking solid at the back. However because of his 85^th minute goal saving tackle the award goes to Powner.

 

Man of the Match

 

Simon Powner.

 

Team

 

Heath (M), Sherwin, Pickford, Powner, Wild (M), Brown, Wild (L), Tams, McGraw, Nixon, Ottley

 

Subs

 

Snape, Harrison, Fox