versus CAMBRIDGE CITY - Northwood FC

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Mar 31, 2018 - Moving on from the self-publicist...... I have been quite critical of us on the pitch, however, we didn't
THE OFFICIAL NORTHWOOD MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2017-18

Woods

versus CAMBRIDGE CITY EVO-STIKLEAGUE LEAGUESOUTH, SOUTH,EAST EAST EVO-STIK

Saturday 31st March 2018 Kick-off 3.00 pm

Northwood FC

UP FRONT

Founded: 1926 Northwood Park, Chestnut Avenue, Northwood HA6 1HR Tel. 01923 617081

VICE-CHAIRMAN & EDITOR

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KEN GREEN

elcome back to Northwood Park this afternoon, and we are pleased to see all our supporters new and old, and also extend our welcome all connected with Cambridge City; we trust they enjoy their stay with us and have a safe journey home later.

This is the first-ever visit by Cambridge City to Northwood, and they are currently ground-sharing at St Ives after the loss of the historic Milton Road ground, which at one time was amongst the largest outside the Football League. Back in September, the Woods suffered a single goal defeat to Cambridge City, when the home side started strongly, before that early pressure told and they made a tenth minute breakthrough. Although Northwood hit back well and enjoyed plenty of attacking play, we were unable to level in a close-fought game – which pretty much sums up many of our games throughout this season!

Life President: Pat Byrne Chairman: Ian Barry  Vice-Chairman: Ken Green Club Secretary & Treasurer: Alan Evans (Tel. 07960 744349) 46 Webster Gardens, Ealing W5 5ND Commercial Manager: David Mosely Youth Officials: Lisa Bennett & Richard Elderfield Additional committee members: David Blincko, Shamira Hamirani, Marc Harding, Sarah Wheeler Manager: To be appointed Physio: Dan Daggett

Last Saturday’s game against promotion-chasing Beaconsfield Town here at Chestnut Avenue was another case of “if only”. If only we had taken one or two more of our chances, if only the referee hadn’t been poor, unfit, short-sighted (even though as he proudly announced before the game “I’ve been in the Football League”), if only we had been allowed to have eleven players for 90 minutes…

Northwood Football Club is a members’ club

Beaconsfield went ahead after just two minutes, but the Woods showed great spirit to respond strongly, and two fine goals from top scorer Jermaine Osei meant that that we led at the interval. However, we side had to play the second half with ten men following the dismissal of Joe Russell for two yellow cards – the first of which shown by the poor, officious, referee was completely ludicrous. And two goals within a minute soon after the restart gave Beaconsfield a lead they scarcely merited, but despite plenty of promising play from Northwood in the final half-hour, they couldn’t quite manage a deserved equaliser.

Isthmian League Division One North champions: 2003 Isthmian League Division Two runners-up: 2000 Isthmian League Division Three promotion: 1997 Isthmian League Cup winners: 2002 Isthmian Charity Shield winners: 2002 Isthmian Associate Members Trophy winners: 1993, 2000 Middlesex Senior Cup winners: 2007, 2016 Middlesex Senior Cup finalists: 2000, 2002, Middlesex Senior Cup semi-finalists: 1992, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2006, 2008, 2010 Middlesex Senior Charity Cup finalists: 1994, 2003, 2005, 2012 Middlesex Intermediate Cup winners: 1979 Middlesex Junior Cup winners: 1938 Middlesex Junior Cup finalists: 1935, 1936 London Spartan League Premier Division champions: 1992 London Spartan League Premier Division runners-up: 1990 London Spartan League Cup winners: 1990, 1992 Hellenic League Division One champions: 1979 Hellenic League Premier Division Cup finalists: 1982 Hellenic League Division One Cup winners: 1979 Middlesex League Premier Division champions: 1978 Middlesex League Premier Division runners-up: 1972, 1977 Middlesex League Challenge Cup winners: 1975, 1977, 1978 Harrow, Wembley & District League champions: 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1948, 1949

Thanks for your support here this afternoon; this really is appreciated by us all. The Woods are quickly back in action with an Easter Monday visit to Chalfont St Peter (3.00pm), before returning to Northwood Park next Saturday, when League leaders AFC Rushden & Diamonds are the visitors – kick-off is at 3.00 p.m. as usual; we hope to see you then!

Ken

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Matchday Programme: Ken Green Photographs: James Brown

CLUB HONOURS

CHAIRMAN

IAN BARRY

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ood afternoon and welcome to Chestnut Avenue for today’s Evo-Stik League fixture. We extend our welcome to our visitors from Cambridge City FC and trust you enjoy your short stay here. Firstly, I have to mention the Referee from last week’s game, Gavin Muge; he wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m sorry I couldn’t arrange to have his name in lights as he would have wished though. Every time we’ve ever had him, the game has always been about him.

To clarify, ask yourself why he felt the necessity to announce to both clubs in the boardroom before the game that he was being assessed? Ask yourself why he also mentioned (as he always does) that he used to be on the Football League? Ask yourself why he told various players that, too? Then he does what he always does......a caution for literally nothing, which then becomes a talking point when he gives a second yellow to the same player. Moving on from the self-publicist...... I have been quite critical of us on the pitch, however, we didn’t deserve to lose that game; the attitude, effort, commitment and desire was fantastic and we need to be like that every week now. In closing today, my thoughts are with the families of Josh, Harry and George, who have

had to endure every parents’ worst nightmare. The ‘culprit’ was sentenced on Wednesday to just 13 years in prison! Yes, 13 years for killing three young men. The sentence is a disgrace and I’m sure they will be battling for a long time to try and achieve justice for the boys. The families have become good friends of mine since I met them and no one should have to endure what they have. Enjoy the game today. Up the Woods!

Ian

“ The attitude, effort, commitment and desire was fantastic “ www.northwoodfc.com 

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CLUB MATTERS

ALAN EVANS Re-arrangements

Former Woods News – Jay Demerit

More bad weather saw us lose our home game against Hanwell Town a couple of weeks ago and as our Middlesex rivals had already had several other postponements rearranged, they had only one midweek date available for the rescheduled fixture so it will take place in the final week of the season on Tuesday 24th April 2018 – kick-off at 7.45p.m. as usual and will become our final home game of the season.

Former Northwood defender Jay Demerit who went on to enjoy a professional career with Watford, Vancouver Whitecaps and was capped 25 times for the USA National team retired from

Annual Community Club Day This year the club’s Annual Community Club Day will take place just a few days earlier than that on our final Saturday home game of the season – Saturday 21st April 2018 – which will include “Pay what you Can” admission to our fixture against Thame United that afternoon.

As last year, there will be an Under-6s Festival of Football staged in the park in the morning and we are hopeful that all of our youth teams will be represented during the afternoon as we look to take our usual whole “One Club” photograph. Other events will be advised nearer the time.

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football in 2014. However, he has received a considerable honour in his own country over the last couple of weeks by being nominated in the ballot for the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2018 in the USA. The ballot has taken place over the last couple of weeks with the results yet to be announced but the induction ceremony set for October. There are lots of qualifying criteria for a player to be nominated and he is alongside the likes of Juan Pablo Angel, Brad Friedel, Thierry Henry and Carlos Bocanegra. We have our fingers crossed for him.

Player News Again just a few minutes prior to the league’s registration deadline, strangely on Thursday 22nd March this year, acting manager Gordon Boateng captured the signings of two further attacking players in the hope to improve our goalscoring record in the final month of the season. Brothers Chris Benjamin and Joe Benjamin both left play-off seeking Haringey Borough to join the Woods and are expected to be involved in our games over this Easter holiday period. Chris is an experienced 25-year-old striker who has also played for St. Albans City, Redbridge,

AFC Rushden & Diamonds lead the way with attendances too, currently averaging 466; some 236 more than Bedford Town in second place while today’s visitors Cambridge City are third with an average of 173. Chalfont St. Peter are currently the lowest supported with an average of just 82 despite their recent good form. The League also produce a fair-play table each week which takes into consideration cautions & dismissals throughout the season and the Woods are currently 3rd best in that table while today’s visitors Cambridge City are right at the top ahead of Aylesbury United and favourites to win the prize for finishing top. Finally, we can also view the “Respect Awards” table, sponsored by the Football Factory. Points can be picked up in each game for behaviour of Club officials & team benches, Dressing Rooms and Hospitality shown to Officials while at the club while deductions are made for dissent cautions or dismissals due to Foul & Abusive language. Aylesbury United still lead in this one ahead of Barton Rovers though the Ducks have played more home games where more points are scored. We have risen slightly to thirteenth place but Cambridge City are down in seventeenth place in this one. Programme goes Digital ONLY

Sutton United, Harrow Borough, Grays Athletic and Bury Town while Joe is a former Northampton Town striker who is now 27 and in recent years he has also played for Billericay Town, Lowestoft Town, St. Neots Town, Grays Athletic, Bury Town, Dulwich Hamlet, Harlow Town and Bishop’s Stortford. We hope they both enjoy their stay with us. Other Hidden tables We may all get to see where we currently sit in the East Division table but there are always other tables available which give a different perspective of how we at Northwood FC are doing! The current attendance table, published by the Evo-Stik League, shows the league based on average attendances and after a series of disappointing crowds for our last few home matches, the Woods are now in fourteenth place in that one with an average of 107 at present. Our top league attendance so far was 243 while the lowest crowd is now just 71. We do have some home games coming up though against sides expected to bring some away support – AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Cambridge City. As they do in the League table,

We are well into the season so you should be aware by now that if you are reading these notes in the programme, you are almost certainly reading it on your phone, tablet or on a PC screen as from the new season we are no longer producing a paper version. The League changed their rules this season to state that the need to produce a programme for each match no longer had to be a printed version and for lots of reasons, we made the decision to end it. It is a change that has been strange for both Ken Green and myself as between us we have produced virtually every printed



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CLUB MATTERS Northwood programme since Ken first started them in the 1970s. We hope that the quality of the programme has remained much the same though and to download it is now free so savings all round. It also makes it more available to everyone.

left to play. They are away to Hayes & Yeading United this Wednesday, 4th April before playing at home to Wealdstone the following Thursday night, 12th April and I’m sure they will appreciate your support if you can make either of these games.

We have already had a massive increase in downloads of people reading the programme. You can either download it in a format that is easy to read or to print it out yourself at home should that be your preference. We hope you will embrace the change and enjoy it.

Meanwhile, a similar Under-17s side made it through to the Final of the Middlesex County Sunday Under-18s Youth Cup with a 5-3 victory over Headstone Manor. Connor Maher netted a hat-trick and there was one each for Femi Azeez and Kyran Worrell. The final will take place on Thursday 26th April at a venue and against opponents yet to be decided but will be one of Ruislip Rangers U-18s, Acton & Ealing Whistlers U-17s or Conquest U-18s.

However, we are aware that some people would prefer it to remain a printed edition and indeed, we even received an offer from one of our loyal and regular supporters to cover the losses that the club makes when producing a printed version. So, we will consider it further over the rest of the season but please let us know what you think, either in person at a game or by email to the club email address enquiries@ northwoodfc.com Under-18s – Back to form Just over a week ago, our Under-18 ended a run of tough away games with a 3-3 draw here at Northwood Park against Aldershot Town. They led three times though with two goals from Kyran Worrell on his return from injury and one from Jamie Fulton before being pegged back each time by the Shots academy side. Last Monday they travelled away to bottom club Ashford Town (Middlesex) and were hit by injuries that left them without several of their star players. However they would still have been a bit shocked to find themselves 2-0 down by half-time. Then they showed great spirit to storm back after the break with two goals from skipper Connor Maher (pictured) bringing them level before substitute Ayoub Enajar fired home what proved to be the winning goal five minutes from time. That success has lifted them up to seventh place in the table with four games

Groundshare – London Tigers FC – Extended for another year Our two clubs have recently agreed a further year’s groundshare arrangement for the season 2018/19 as their Avenue Park ground will still not be ready for a return to football. The Tigers picked up a 1-1 draw in a home game against Oxhey Jets last Tuesday week but then lost 2-1 at bottom club Stotfold on Tuesday and they still face a battle to avoid being threatened by relegation this season. Their next home game is this coming Tuesday 3rd April when they take on Crawley Green with kick-off at 7.45p.m., following by Colney Heath two nights later on Thursday 5th April. They still have five other home games to squeeze in before the final day so plenty of action still to come here at Northwood Park. County Cup Finals Please note that we have also been asked to stage the Middlesex Senior Charity Cup Final on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon, 7th May 2018, so make a note of that one in your diary. The competition has is now between the quarter and semi-final stage with those semi-finals being: Spelthorne Sports v. AFC Hayes or Hayes & Yeading United and Hampton & Richmond Borough v. Hanworth Villa or Rayners Lane.

Alan www.northwoodfc.com 

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NORTHWOOD

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BEACONSFIELD 3

SATURDAY 24TH MARCH 2018 EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTH NORTHWOOD PARK

rave Northwood undeservedly came out second best as they shared five goals with promotionB chasing Beaconsfield Town after playing the whole of the second half with ten men following the controversial dismissal of Joe Russell, writes Robin Piper. Proceedings got off to the worst possible start for Northwood as they fell behind as early as the second minute when Alex Cathline was on hand to convert the loose ball after goalkeeper Xavi Comas had saved Tony Mendy’s initial effort. Woods were unfazed by the early setback and they deservedly drew level on 13 minutes as an Evans Kouassi corner found the unmarked Osei, who executed a smart finish beyond former Northwood ‘keeper Brendan Hazlett. Northwood continued to ask questions of their high-flying opponents with Haile and Keir Dickson combining well on the left flank to produce a number of promising openings, the former seeing a header brush the base of the upright while Osei threatened again with a couple of shots. There was a hint of things to come as the referee issued soft cautions to a couple of Beaconsfield players including Tony Mendy for a slight tug of a red shirt. And Mendy was looking increasingly threatening as his attempted lob over Comas bounced narrowly wide before the Woods’ keeper produced a smart save to keep out the Rams’ striker’s low shot. Chances were being created at both ends, with Kouassi the next to go close with a run and shot which narrowly cleared the Beaconsfield bar, Mendy having a couple more shots charged down and Wilson Chingoka trying his luck with a long range effort that was gathered by Hazlett. But it was Northwood who deservedly took the lead on 36 minutes with a swift counter-attack which was expertly finished by Osei with his second goal of the afternoon. Moments later the referee made what would turn out to be a significant contribution to the eventual outcome of the contest as he issued a yellow card to Russell for what the over-fussy official indicated was another tug on an opposition shirt. Northwood had a great chance to extend their lead a minute before the break as Kouassi broke quickly into Beaconsfield territory but he chose to go it alone rather than play in Osei who would have been one-on one with Hazlett. And with the referee somehow managing to find nearly three minutes of stoppage time at the end of the half and Northwood struggling to clear their lines there was time for Russell to produce a poor challenge on Nathan Webb which warranted a second yellow card and the hosts were reduced to ten men. Beaconsfield were immediately on the attack after the restart as they looked to make their numerical advantage count and Comas had to produce two fine saves to deny Wes Daly and Bajram Pashaj. However, Comas was helpless to prevent headed strikes from Former Northwood player Reece Yorke and Mendy on 51 and 52 minutes respectively to restore the Rams’ lead and seemingly set them on a path to another victory. However, Woods weren’t ready to simply roll over as they stood up to the inevitable onslaught with Comas twice denying substitute Lee Barney. And Northwood reminded the visitors that they were still in a contest as Osei fired over before drawing another save out of Hazlett. Newman and Paolo Montella were introduced for Haile and Kouassi with Woods still very much in the contest as they continued to make light of their numerical disadvantage with Williams forcing Hazlett into a full-length save. Northwood continued to dig deep as Comas and his defenders denied substitutes Aaron Minhas and Kezie Ibe while Pashaj was foiled once again. But despite their efforts, Northwood were ultimately left unrewarded with no further additions to the scoreline. However, there were plenty of positives for Northwood and Acting Manager Gordon Boateng to take from the contest.

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Northwood v Cambridge City

PHOTO by JAMES BROWN

MATCH REVIEW

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WELCOME TO

CAMBRIDGE CITY he club was formed in 1908 as Cambridge T Town, the direct descendant of the earlier Cambridge St Mary’s club which had folded

at the end of the 1907-1908 season following a dispute with the local Cambs FA. Trophy success came early, with a notable victory being achieved in the International Du Nord Trophy in 1912 after beating host club Tourquennois in Northern France. Cambridge Town amalgamated with an earlier Cambridge United club in May 1914, joined the Cambs FA for the first time and in turn gained entry into the FA Cup and the FA Amateur Cup for the first time, whilst retaining their AFA links. The club’s best ever run in the Amateur Cup came in 1928 when they reached the semi-final only to lose to Leyton at Fulham’s Craven Cottage ground.

A rivalry developed with Ipswich Town during the late 1920’s and mid 1930. Huge crowds attended these games at Milton Road, peaking at 11,916 in 1929. Both clubs’ success in the Southern Amateur League prompted invitations to join the newly formed semi-professional Eastern Counties League in 1935. Ipswich accepted, but the Cambridge Committee declined on account of their commitment to amateur football, so the two Towns went their separate ways. Within three years Ipswich had been elected to the Football League

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leaving Cambridge fans wondering what might have been! Cambridge Town moved on to the Spartan League, winning three league titles between 1945 and 1950. Shortly after progression to the Athenian League, Cambridge was granted City status in 1951 and with it he club’s name change to Cambridge City. City left the amateur game in 1958 and joined the Southern League, gaining a place in the Premier Division in their first season. City won the Premier Division in 1962/63, but the absence of automatic promotion to the Football League put a lid on City’s ambitions. Nevertheless, City were regular challengers for the title and had the highest attendances in non-league football up until the mid-1960s. But City lost their way and were relegated to Southern League Division 1 in 1967/68; promotion back to the Premier Division came in 1969/70. City finished Southern League runners up in 1970/71, but the latter years of the decade were dreadful. Relegation in 1975/76 saw crowds dwindle and the Club fall into decline. After the redevelopment of the ground in the mid 1980’s, City gradually improved and the 1985/86 Southern League Southern Division championship was won on the last day of the

season. Since 1993, City have reached the 1st round proper of the FA Cup five times and the 2nd round once, which is a far better record than achieved by the more illustrious City sides of the 1960s.

spotted by AFC Sudbury, gaining manager’s player of the year 2015/16. He transferred to City in October 2016.

City’s best season for 30 years saw them finish runners up in the inaugural Conference South season in 2004/05, going on to lose in the play-offs. Off the field the ground had been sold to pay off mounting debts and matters took a turn for the worse in 2006 when the then Board announced an agreement to allow City to be absorbed into Cambridge United. With City on the brink of extinction, supporters were galvanised into a campaign which eventually forced Directors to resign, to be replaced by members of the Cambridge City Supporters’ Trust. City celebrated their centenary in 2008, but were demoted at the end the 2007/08 season due to ground regulations; this decision ended 22 consecutive seasons in the second tier of non-league football. City lost out to Gloucester City in the 2008/09 play-offs and in the 2009/10 season, City won the Southern League Cup for the first time and finished one point shy of a playoff place. The play-offs were reached twice, only for semi-final defeat, this disappointment was tempered by the news that the club has secured a site on which to build a new stadium and training complex.

James is a product of City’s youth setup and plays at left-back. City boss Robbie Nightingale believes James has a great future ahead of him.

A new era for the club commenced in August 2013 with a temporary base at Histon FC. City once again reached the play-offs but again tasted semi final defeat. After two seasons at Histon, City are now based at St Ives Town FC. Just before the start of the 2016-17 season the club’s longest serving manager in its history, Gary Roberts, departed after 13 years in charge. Former Cambridge United player Dan Gleeson was appointed as manager. With little time to prepare Dan did his best but was dismissed in November with City mired in the relegation battle. Robbie Nightingale took over in December and won his first game in charge to boost City’s hopes of avoiding the drop. City’s playing record improved culminating in five wins and a draw in their last six games but ultimately it was not enough and the club were relegated to step four for the first time in their history.

The Players BEN ROBINSON

Ben is a fullback who likes to get forward. A former City youth and reserve team player he moved on to Haverhill Rovers where he was

JAMES TEE

JORDAN WILLIAMS

Jordan is a commanding centre-half. He is a product of Cambridge United’s academy and spent the whole of last season on loan with City and ended up winning the club’s players player of the year award. On release from United last summer he earned himself a contract at Brackley Town, from where he is on loan to City.

JORDAN GENT

Jordan is a product of St Neots Town’s youth setup from where he progressed to the first team and played his part in their back to back promotions into the Southern League Premier Division. In 2013 he switched to Soham Town Rangers after a short loan spell; a commanding centre-half, he joined City in December 2016.

ADAM CAPEL

Adam learned his centre-half trade in Cambridge United’s Academy. He had a brief spell at Histon last season, and is expected to have a bright future at City.

RYAN SHARMAN

Ryan was captain of St Neots Town under 18s before breaking in to their first team. He joined Soham Town Rangers in 2013 and established himself as a goalscoring midfielder, switching to City in December 2016.

ROSS PATERSON

Ross played for Fulbourn Institute a few years ago before moving on to Newmarket Town and making a name for himself as an all action midfielder. He moved from Soham Town Rangers to City in December 2016 and was soon made captain of the team.

HARRY FARROW

Harry is a product of City’s youth setup and plays centre midfield. He first tasted 1st team football last season when he came on as sub in the Cambs Invitation Cup semi-final and scored.

RYAN TOWNER

Ryan plays centre midfield, and made



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over a hundred appearances for Royston Town in the last two seasons and 25 for Chesham United in the season before, having previously been with Stevenage Borough.

LEWIS WILSON

Lewis is a striker, being spotted by Rushden & Diamonds whilst playing for Newport Pagnell and awarded a scholarship. He then found himself back at Newport Pagnell and impressed Northampton Town enough for them to award him a contract. Last season he played for St Neots Town.

JAMES HALL

James joined City in 2015/16 having been scoring regularly for Godmanchester Rovers. He played for St Neots Town and Kettering Town last season before joining St Ives Town in the summer, transferring to City in November 2017.

BEN SEYMORE-SHOVE

Ben is an industrious winger with a great turn of speed and a happy knack of scoring goals. He moved to City in December from St Ives, where he scored the goal that secured promotion to the SL Premier Division in 2016.

EBBY NELSON-ADDY

Ebby joined City in March from Barton Rovers, although dual registered with Hemel Hempstead. He was in Aston Villa’s academy for ten years, and is a right sided midfielder who has a wealth of experience at higher levels, having played for Worcester City, Brackley Town and Hartlepool United.

ROBBIE NIGHTINGALE - MANAGER

JOSH LOWE

Josh is a promising product of City’s youth set up and the striker broke in to the first team squad last season.

SALIM RELIZANI

Salim is a goalscoring wide midfield player, and is a product of Histon’s youth setup. His father was an Algerian international. Salim joined City in December 2016 .

ALEX LYRATZOPOULOS

Midfielder Alex is a product of City’s youth setup and has a very bright future ahead of him.

NATHAN OLUKANMI

Nathan enjoyed his early teens with Aston Villa and Wycombe Wanders before going to college in the US. Since his return he has had spells with Nuneaton, Worcester City and Leamington, and more recently played for Barton Rovers. Nathan can play on either wing.

JACK VASEY

Jack joined City on November from Royston Town, where he had scored five times in ten games. He can play down the middle or out wide and had previously played for Arlesey.

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Cambridge born and a member of City’s youth setup in his early teens, Robbie progressed into the first team and made over 350 appearances in two spells at the club , sandwiching a few years at Histon during their climb through the leagues. He left City for Royston Town in summer 2013 before becoming manager at Soham Town Rangers in 2015 .Robbie took the helm at City in December last season and nearly pulled off a miracle escape from relegation.

NEIL MIDGLEY – ASSISTANT MANAGER

Neil was appointed as first team coach in summer 2013, and is a product of Ipswich Town’s Academy but he made his name at Barnet where he scored freely. He moved on to Kettering Town via Canvey Island. Neil had a three month loan spell with City in 2006 before returning to Kettering for three weeks when he made the move to City permanent. Neil has made over 200 appearances for City and is now Assistant Manager.

DAVE THEOBALD – HEAD COACH

Cambridge born and bred, Dave is one of the finest centre halves ever to play for City. In six seasons he made 261 appearances and scored 39 goals. He cut his teeth in management with Robbie Nightingale at Soham Town Rangers and joined City with Nightingale in 2016 as Head Coach.

FIRST MEETING Saturday 9th September 2017 Cambridge City 1 Northwood 0

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he first-ever meeting of the clubs went narrowly the way of the home side after they nosed ahead in the early stages and the Woods were just unable to peg them back in a close-fought contest.

The home side had enjoyed an excellent victory over near-neighbours St. Neots in the FA Cup a week earlier and they started like a train. In the very first minute Tom Knowles did well on the left and cut the ball back for Mason Spence to strike for goal and Joseph was straight into the action to dive and palm the ball over the bar. It was the full-back Spence who bombed forward again a few minutes later bit this time shot wide and then more action down that left flank saw Knowles exchange passes with Ross Paterson and force Joseph into a good stop at his near-post. And there was still only ten minutes on the clock when the pressure finally told. Joseph saved again from Ryan Sharman but the defence failed to clear and when Paterson latched onto it just outside the box the ball skidded off the wet surface and this time bounced through the hands of the diving ‘keeper. After that onslaught the Woods gradually began to get more of a grip on the game and began to threaten in attack with about half an hour on the clock. Evans Kouassi led the way with a pacy run that saw him find Meshach Williams who flicked the ball on to put Kouassi into the box. It was a great chance but he placed the ball wide of the near-post rather than shooting across goalkeeper Niall Conroy. Two minutes later the Woods won a free-kick in dangerous position but Kouassi was wide again with his effort and then there looked a certain equaliser on 36 minutes as Kouassi flew down the right, knocked in a centre that appeared to only need a touch from Martin at the far post. But he took an extra touch and was then quickly crowded out as he tried to find an angle to force the ball home when a cut back looked more favourable. Pat Adamson then got forward down the left well to feed Williams whose strike was gathered high by Conroy before Pat Kelly put in a cross

which was too near the ‘keeper and then Adamson again attacked well but shot over the bar. Still the Woods swept forward and just before the break Kouassi knocked in an excellent cross which was met by Williams with a fine downward header which Conroy pushed up and onto the crossbar to keep City in the lead at half-time. The Woods were hoping for much of the same after the break but it was Cambridge who started the half better again. Joseph had to push out an accurate free-kick from Knowles and then another marauding run from Spence saw him combine with Lewis Wilson to fire for goal but again the Trinidad & Tobago Under-20s ‘keeper Joseph was equal to it. On 55 minutes Kouassi tried to go it alone, cutting in from the left and working to find some space before shooting but it was straight at the ‘keeper who saved comfortably while at the other end Joseph saved similarly from Ryan Towner’s effort. Northwood were still playing the better football but the final pass or shot seemed to be lacking. Some good work got the ball into the box and when McDonnell’s touch fell to Williams his effort was well over the bar. Then Kouassi burst down the right again and knocked in a tempting cross which eluded everyone, was scrambled out as far as Adamson but his strike was again saved by Conroy in goal. Salim Relizani had a couple of efforts on goal which sailed wide while home substitute Oliver Snaith wasn’t far away with a low drive. Kouassi had the last chance for Northwood but he frustratingly shot wide two minutes from time and Towner went closer for City at least forcing Joseph into one last save, pushing the ball wide of the post to complete a good game for the Woods ‘keeper. www.northwoodfc.com 

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NORTHWOOD FC COMMUNITY DAY!

U6 RESPECT FESTIVAL @ SATURDAY 21ST APRIL 2018 AS PART OF DEVELOPING YOUNG PLAYERS WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HOST OUR ANNUAL U6 RESPECT FOOTBALL FESTIVAL AT NORTHWOOD FC!

- 9.30AM REGISTRATION - 5-A-SIDE (NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY) - £30 ENTRY FEE PER TEAM - ALL GAMES ARE AIMED AT IMPROVING GAME AND POSITIONAL UNDERSTANDING IN A FUN, RELAXED AND FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT. TO ENTER, PLEASE E-MAIL [email protected] - CHEQUES MADE PAYABLE TO NORTHWOOD FC - PLEASE CALL 07585024329 FOR MORE INFORMATION - DEADLINE FOR BOOKINGS MONDAY 16TH APRIL 2018 14 

Northwood v Cambridge City

ON THIS DAY 1990

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n this day in 1990, Northwood trounced Beckton United 7-0 at Chestnut Avenue, as the Greene King Spartan League Premier Division title chasers turned on the style. The rout began early in the first half when Henry Pacquette volleyed Woods ahead. Tim Vincent fired home a penalty after Garfield Blackman (pictured here) was upended In the area, and then two own goals put the result beyond doubt.

Pacquette set up Andy Edey with a fine cross for 5-0 and after the break, Blackman scored two individual efforts to make it seven. It was a superb performance by the home side and one which kept manager Alan Merison very happy. Northwood: Ken Lavender, Mark Devlin, Lee Randall, Steve Whitehead, Paul Curran, Paul Flynn, Stewart Baldwin, Andy Edey, Tim Vincent, Henry Pacquette, Garfield Blackman. www.northwoodfc.com 

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Meet The 2018 PAT ADAMSON

Pat joined the Woods this season following his release from Leyton Orient where he was a regular on the left flank for their Under 18 side. Only 18, he had a loan spell with Soham Town Rangers last season and was establishing himself well in senior football before suffering a broken leg in November.

XAVI COMAS

Experienced Spanish-born goalkeeper, now 29 who joined the Woods in December 2017 following a brief spell with Hayes & Yeading. Started the season at Hanwell Town having previously played at Kings Langley, Hemel Hempstead and a series of Spanish clubs; CD Canillas, Gramanet, Masnou, and Cornell.

FEMI AZEEZ

A young forward, just 16, Femi has impressed in the Under 18s during this season, and has been rewarded by a number of senior appearances.

CHRIS BENJAMIN

Experienced striker who joined the Woods on registration deadline day from Haringey Borough. The 25-year-old has also played for St. Albans City, Redbridge, Sutton United, Harrow Borough, Grays Athletic and Bury Town.

JOE BENJAMIN

Joe is a former Northampton Town striker who is now 27 and joined the Woods on registration deadline day from Haringey Borough. In recent years he has also played for Billericay Town, Lowestoft Town, St. Neots Town, Grays Athletic, Bury Town, Dulwich Hamlet, Harlow Town and Bishop’s Stortford.

TOMMY BOXER

An experienced defender, now 26 who was recruited by the Woods in August 2017 on dual-registration from Potters Bar Town. Has also played for Cockfosters.

HAMILTON BUNGA

Tall defender, recruited in February 2018 from Royston Town where he had a short spell. The 22-year-old has been well travelled having also had short spells with Arlesey Town, Kingstonian, Thurrock, East Grinstead, Ware and Barkingside amongst others.

WILSON CHINGOKA

A former Wingate & Finchley youngster, Wilson has just turned 19 and played last season for the successful Herts County side AFC Oaklands where he starred in a midfield role.

16 

Northwood v Cambridge City

BEN DEFAUX

Under 18 player Ben has been added to the squad for the final month of the season and will be hoping to get some involvement.

KEIR DICKSON

Left-sided defender, 21, who joined Northwood in March 2018 on dual-registration from Wingate & Finchley. Keir was with Barnet and Fleetwood Town as a youngster before short spells at Hayes

Woods Squad & Yeading, Enfield Town and Kingstonian.

JAMIE DOOLAN

Jamie is a product of the club’s youth structure having progressed through the Under-18s and reserves to earn a place in the first-team squad last season. A versatile player who usually operates in midfield, Jamie is now 20 and will be looking to establish himself in the squad for the new campaign. He is currently on dual-

United as a youngster and then for clubs in the North of England while at University in Durham.

KOJO GYIMAH

Kojo is a 19-year-old former Stevenage Borough and Wycombe Wanderers academy forward who joined in the summer and is dual registered with Cockfosters.

NEBAY HAILE

Young attacking player who has joined the Woods in November 2017 on dual-registration from Staines Town to gain some senior experience. He was part of the Middlesex County side that won the FA County Youth Cup in 2017.

BRAD HEWITT

Now 30, central defender Brad returned last summer to Chestnut Avenue for his third spell at the club which he originally joined from Boreham Wood back in October 2006. He has now topped 210 appearances for the Woods, and has also played for Hemel Hempstead, Beaconsfield, Burnham, Slough Town, Hendon, Biggleswade Town and Dunstable Town.

LEWIS HOBBS

Young defender who joined the Woods on a season-long youth loan from Barnet and after impressing for several months had his contract cancelled with the Bees and subsequently moved to Southern Premier side Royston Town. Still only 18 he returned to Northwood to get more game time and continue his football education in February 2018.

EVANS KOUASSI

registration loan at Rayners Lane.

JAMIE FULTON

Under 18 player Jamie has been added to the squad for the final month of the season and will be hoping to get some involvement.

TOM GILBEY

Young left-sided defender who joined the club on dual-registration from Staines Town, where he moved in the summer. Played for Maidenhead

Experienced 28-year-old attacking wide player who joined the Woods last summer having played at Bishop’s Stortford last season. Has also had spells with Billericay Town, Chelmsford City, Concord Rangers and Hayes & Yeading amongst others. Signed for Wealdstone in November 2017 but is now regaining fitness with a spell back at Northwood.

MARK MCLEOD

Experienced midfielder who joined the www.northwoodfc.com 

17



2018 Woods Squad Woods in January 2018 on dual-registration from Harrow Borough. The 31-year-old was born in Sunderland and played in the Football League for Darlington as well as loan spells with Harrogate Town, Durham City and Workington. He played for Newcastle Blue Star and Sunderland RCA before moving south and playing for Walton & Hersham and Chipstead before joining Harrow last summer.

PAOLO MONTELLA

Young midfield player who joined the Woods in December 2017 from London Colney having previously played at Ware. The 19-year-old will be hoping to gain more experience in the second half of the season.

DECLAN NCHE

18-year-old bustling midfielder who joined the Woods in October 2017 from Brentwood Town, where he had been a regular in their Development side.

HARRY NEWMAN

A left-sided midfield player, 28-year-old Harry was a regular for Harrow Borough in the Isthmian Premier for the past two seasons having joined them in 2015 following spells with Harefield United, Hanwell Town and Australian side Clifton Hill.

HAKIM NYARIKI

18-year-old Hakim is a former member of the successful Wingate & Finchley Under-18 side who joined the Woods last summer after a spell with Barnet.

ISAAC OLORUNFEMI

19-year-old defender who joined the Woods in October 2017 having previously played for Maidenhead United youth as well as having short loan spells with Aylesbury and Chalfont St Peter.

JERMAINE OSEI

Young striker who joined the Woods in October 2017 on dual-registration with Wealdstone and was an instant hit with two goals on his debut. The 22-year-old previously played at Enfield Town and Bishop’s Stortford as well as briefly at Hampton & Richmond Borough and Margate. He is the Woods’ top scorer.

18 

Northwood v Cambridge City

SAM OYENIRAN

Signed from Barton Rovers in March 2018, am is 19 years old and came up through the junior ranks with Ebbsfleet United before playing at Tilbury Under 23s, Herne Bay, BIllericay Under 23s, and Norwich United.

JOE RUSSELL

Youngster recently recruited to the Northwood squad having had previous experience at Ware. The 19-year-old had also represented Hertfordshire at Under 18 level.

SAM TRING

Young 20-year-old central defender who joined the Woods on a month’s loan from Kings Langley in February 2018 having made around 20 Premier Division appearances for the Kings. Following some solid performances, that loan was then extended until the end of the season. He joined them last summer from Luton Town Cedars.

MESHACH WILLIAMS

Pacy, 26-year-old forward who has been amongst the goals in pre-season having joined the Woods in the summer from Cockfosters. He has also played for Hatfield, Hoddesdon, Hanwell and Broxbourne as well as a spell with Wingate & Finchley in the Isthmian Premier.

KYRAN WORRELL

Under 18 player Kyran has been added to the squad for the final month of the season and will be hoping to get some involvement.

GORDON BOATENG - ACTING MANAGER

Gordon, who took charge of the squad following the departure of Jake Heracleous, has previously been in charge at Bishop’s Stortford, amongst others.

Northwood F.C. Six-a-side tournaments 2018 Saturday 12th May - Under 10’s, 11’s, 12’s Sunday 13th May - Under 7’s, 8’s, 9’s, 13’s

We are pleased to announce that we will again be holding our 6-a-side tournament at Northwood FC in our stadium at Chestnut Avenue, Northwood HA6 1HR. U7’s, U8’s and U9’s will be competitive with trophies for the winners and runners up only. All players involved will receive a medal. U10’s to U13’s will be competitive with cup and plate finalists receiving trophies. The cost to enter will be £35 per team before March 31st, any entries after this date will be £40. There is free parking on the field outside the stadium which we would like you to use as parking is very restricted on the road, with a £2 entry fee for all adults entering the stadium. You are advised to book early as there are only 10 spaces for each group, with a maximum of 8 players per team. Full registration details and match schedules will be provided upon sign up. In addition to enjoying lots of good football in our stadium, there will be a BBQ and a licensed bar. Our tournament is always over-subscribed so please respond quickly to avoid disappointment. For more information including the entry form, contact: Andrew Baynes on 07958 770 510 or email [email protected]

www.northwoodfc.com 

19

AYLESBURY U. 2 NORTHWOOD

0

WEDNESDAY 21ST MARCH 2018 EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTH AMY LANE, CHESHAM

N

orthwood’s miserable run continued after they slipped to another defeat at the hands of Aylesbury United, writes Robin Piper. Coming a couple of days after the club parted company with interim manager Jake Heracleous, a trip to the improving Ducks was always going to be tricky affair and so it proved as they had no answer to conceding two goals in three second half minutes.

Gordon Boateng, who has been assisting in recent weeks took charge of a team which showed a number of changes from the weekend defeat at Dunstable. Joe Russell and Harry Newman returned to the starting line in the absence of Tom Gilbey and Meshach Williams, while youngster Femi Azeez was given his first start with Jermaine Osei missing through injury. Northwood had some defending to do in the early stages as Aylesbury were quickly into their stride with Sonny French and Ben Seaton both going close before Ollie Stanbridge tried his luck with a long range shot but goalkeeper Xavi Comas was alert to the danger. Woods’ first attack of note saw Evans Kouassi combine well with Azeez and Andrew Camilo-Tayaca before the latter’s cross into danger area was deflected behind for a corner with no red shirt able to apply the finishing touch. Northwood began to find their rhythm and proceeded to string some decent moves together, Joe Russell testing Jack Hopwood with a firm strike which the Aylesbury ‘keeper could only parry but there was no Woods player to latch onto the loose ball. Both sides were showing plenty of attacking intent as Seaton was the next to go close for the hosts but his close range shot was blocked by the Woods defence. At the other end, Azeez miscued when well placed after good work from Kouassi before Sam Oyeniran denied a first goal in Northwood colours as Hopwood got a faint touch to divert his goal-bound effort. Northwood followers were beginning to get that feeling of déjà vu as the good approach work was going unrewarded and it was the Ducks who finished the first-half in positive fashion with French going close with an audacious long range attempt while Stanbridge saw his incisive volley deflected for a corner. The second period was slow to get going before the deadlock was broken on the hour-mark, Aaron Berry sending a flicked header beyond the reach of Comas after Woods had failed to defend from a throw-in with central defender Sam Tring waiting to return to the field of play. And things got worse for Northwood three minutes later as they conceded again, Berry grabbing his second of the evening as he converted the loose ball after Comas had produced a fine save to keep out a long range effort. Nebay Haile replaced Sam Oyeniran in attack as Northwood looked for a way back into the contest. And the Woods’ substitute was quickly into the action with a weaving run into the Aylesbury box which was halted by the on rushing Hopwood before the Ducks’ stopper was almost embarrassed as he fluffed an attempted clearance with Haile’s lob towards an unguarded goal bouncing agonisingly wide. Evans Kouassi made way for Paulo Montella as Northwood continued to look for that elusive goal but the visitors never really looked like scoring in an increasingly scrappy and tetchy affair. And it was Aylesbury who went close to adding a third goal as the match moved into stoppage time, French dragging his shot wide from a good position, the last moment of note as the curtain came down on another disappointing defeat for Northwood.

20 

Northwood v Cambridge City

PHOTO by JAMES BROWN

MATCH REVIEW

www.northwoodfc.com 

21

AFC DUNSTABLE 2 NORTHWOOD

0

SATURDAY 17TH MARCH 2018 EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTH CREASEY PARK

orthwood’s trip to Bedfordshire proved to be a fruitless one as they were beaten by play-off N hopefuls AFC Dunstable at a wintery Creasey Park, writes Robin Piper. Northwood seemed to adapt quicker to the icy conditions underfoot, the pitch having passed a pre-match inspection but

perfectly playable and their neat, incisive approach play created an early opening for Evans Kouassi but his shot was comfortably dealt with by goalkeeper Jamie Head. Dunstable’s strike partnership of Jermaine Hall and Bernard Christie has terrorised many a defence this season and the pair combined well to create the host’s first chance of the afternoon but Northwood ‘keeper Xavi Comas was equal to Hall’s shot. Christie then tried his luck from distance but his shot failed to trouble Comas.

Woods maintained their confident start and a slick move led to Meshach Williams creating space for a shot but Head was down quickly to save at the near-post while at the other end, Comas saved well from Terry Griffiths after Northwood failed to clear a corner. The game now had a nice ebb and flow which was credit to both sides given the conditions. Nathan Frater, former Wood Louis Bircham and Hall all went close for the hosts, while Sam Oyerniran and Kouassi threatened for Northwood. However, the visitors desire to over elaborate and the lack of penetration in the final third was beginning to look all too familiar, Jermaine Osei the next to go close as his shot from a Wilson Chingoka pass was deflected for a corner. And Woods’ wastefulness was punished as Nathan Frater’s speculative chip from the edge of the box deceived Comas to give Dunstable the lead on 26 minutes. Northwood looked to respond and Dickson made a strong foray into Dunstable territory before finding Osei whose curling effort was smartly turned round the post by Head. But the hosts were quick to counter with Bircham seeing his attempted chip rebound off the Woods’ crossbar. And there were further chances for both sides as an entertaining half drew to a close, Oyeniran being denied by Head as he latched onto Andrew Camilo-Tayaca’s cross before Christie shot wide for the hosts when well placed. Northwood began the second period in a positive fashion, with good work from Dickson once again creating an opening for Osei but his shot failed to trouble Head before the Dunstable ‘keeper saved smartly from Kouassi. And Osei was involved once more as he tried his luck from distance but his effort flew the wrong side of the upright. However, Northwood’s positivity slowly evaporated, allowing the hosts to gain control of proceedings with one or two of the men in red shirts appearing to go missing as weather conditions worsened. Comas produced a flying save to divert Bircham’s long range effort before the latter’s corner caused panic in the visitors’ defence as Hall’s shot was blocked and Griffiths’ follow-up shot deflected off the woodwork. The hosts made a double substitution as they sought the second goal to drive home their advantage, Drew Roberts entering the fray and he almost kept up his remarkable strike rate against Northwood but his shot rolled agonisingly wide of the upright with Comas beaten. Paulo Montella was introduced as a 75th minute substitute for Northwood as a replacement for Oyeniran but the attacking momentum continued for Dunstable with Comas quickly off his line to deny Christie in a one on one situation. However, the Northwood rearguard was finally breached as Christie despatched a shot into the bottom corner after Woods failed to clear their lines to give the hosts a two goal lead in the 79th minute. Woods made a second substitution as Jermaine Osei was replaced by Femi Azeez but there was to be no way back with Williams’ speculative shot, which flew wide of the target the last moment of note on another disappointing afternoon for Northwood.

22 

Northwood v Cambridge City

PHOTO by JAMES BROWN

MATCH REVIEW

www.northwoodfc.com 

23

Player Sponsors 2017-18

GORDON DAN BOATENG DAGGETT

Sponsored by

John Robertson

LEWIS HOBBS

KEIR PAOLO EVANS KOUASSI DICKSON MONTELLA

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Available for sponsorship

Available for sponsorship

Ken Green

SAM JACK HAMILTON OYENIRAN MCDONNELL BUNGA

24 

XAVI COMAS

KOJO MESHACH BRAD GYIMAH WILLIAMS HEWITT

HAKIM NYARIKI

Available for sponsorship

Sponsored by

Trims for Men Northwood Hills

TOM GILBEY

Available for sponsorship

Available for sponsorship

Lee Whittaker

ISAAC WILSON PAT ADAMSON OLORUNFEMI CHINGOKA Available for sponsorship

Available for sponsorship

Sponsored by

SAM TRING

Available for sponsorship

Southern Territory (UK) Ltd

Northwood v Cambridge City

Sponsored by

Robin Piper

Southern Territory (UK) Ltd

NEBAY HARRY HAILE NEWMAN Available for sponsorship

Sponsored by

Tino Nannavecchia

Available for sponsorship

Available for sponsorship

Available for sponsorship

Available for sponsorship

DECLAN JERMAINE MARCUS NCHE OSEI ROSE Available for sponsorship

Sponsored by

Pete Reynolds

Sponsored by

Mark Bunting

Woods Roll Call 2017-18 including 30.3.18 Arash Abdullahi Pat Adamson Romelle Alomenu Jean-Paul Antwi Mohammed Ayoub Femi Azeez Charley Barker Tommy Boxer Michael Buckley Hamilton Bunga Andrew Camilo Tajeco Wilson Chingoka Ned Clarke Xavi Comas Brandon Daly Tayo Davies-Coker Keir Dickson Jamie Doolan Tom Gilbey James Gurteen Kojo Gyimah Nebay Haile Louis Hall Matt Hall Ashley Harris Tyler Hatherly Tayshan Hayden-Smith Brendan Hazlett Brad Hewitt Lewis Hobbs Montel Joseph Pat Kelly Evans Kouassi Borja Loeches-Teixeira George Lutaaya Mahlondo Martin Andrew McCorkell Jack McDonnell Tom McDonnell Mark McLeod Paulo Montella Declan Nche Harry Newman Matt Nolan Hakim Nyariki Lewis Ochoa Issac Olorunfemi Jermaine Osei Michael Osei Sam Oyeniran Leonardo Pedro George Robinson Marcus Rose Joe Russell David Taylor Jay Thorne Sam Tring Harry Voss Antonio Walker Matt Walsh Meshach Williams Dernell Wynter

League League apps sub

2 8 3 1 0 1 4 4 11 2 5 23 2 13 1 1 3 0 14 0 0 2 0 3 1 5 21 12 18 27 1 8 24 0 2 13 2 4 3 1 0 1 26 1 2 15 16 18 2 3 1 6 5 4 6 0 9 4 0 1 18 2

1 1 2 1 0 4 0 0 0 2 1 8 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 5 10 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 7 0 3 0 0 11 5 1 0 6 0 5 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0

Cups apps

Cups sub

Total apps

League goals

Cup goals

Total goals

1 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 3 3 0 2 4 1 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0

5 11 5 2 1 5 4 6 11 4 6 35 3 13 1 2 3 2 14 2 6 12 1 3 1 6 26 14 21 30 1 12 29 1 2 22 2 8 4 1 11 8 28 1 10 17 22 19 2 3 2 9 7 5 6 1 9 4 3 1 22 2

0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 1 1 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 1 1 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0

Northwood career apps goals

5 11 5 2 1 5 4 6 11 4 6 35 3 13 1 2 3 2 14 2 6 12 1 3 4 6 26 14 211 30 25 12 29 17 2 22 2 8 4 1 11 8 28 1 10 17 22 19 2 3 2 9 7 5 6 4 9 4 3 1 22 2

0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 22 0 0 0 6 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 1 1 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0

Cards Y

R

1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 1 1 0 0 0 1 3 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

www.northwoodfc.com 

25

Alan Evans looks back at Northwood events of a decade ago PHOTOS by JAMES BROWN

T

oday we continue with our popular feature where we look back to events here at Northwood Park from exactly a decade ago. This has meant a review of our first season back at Step 4 of non-League following the first-ever relegation in the senior club’s history as we succumbed to the drop in our second season of Southern Premier Division football having been transferred across following two years of Isthmian Premier competition.

After a slow start to the season, there had been an upsurge in fortunes as we passed halfway. Firstly a series of solid home wins was followed by a brilliant FA Trophy replay win over Isthmian Premier side AFC Hornchurch and then the first away league win of the season, a 3-1 success at league leaders AFC Sudbury with 18-year-old Elliott Buchanan netting his first Northwood hat-trick, taking his tally to six goals in three

The home side started brightly but Mitch Swain made a couple of early saves before Northwood gradually got a foothold in the game. It was five minutes before the break that they notched the important opening goal as Lee Holland exchanged passes with Michael Gordon and then knocked in a neat cross which was met by a diving Abdul Yoki to head home. Amazingly the lead was doubled before the break as an inswinging corner was hooked back across goal by Brad Hewitt as it looked to be drifting out of play and Matt Baxter pounced for his first goal for the club. The Woods never looked like losing their grip on the game in the second-half and the contest was over on 65 minutes when Danny Murphy let fly with a spectacular strike that flew into the top corner. A 3-0 win was just what was needed and there was also an introduction to the game as substitute for new signing Rodney Hicks who had joined after a spell at Halesowen Town. The victory was the Woods biggest away win in three years, since a 4-1 success at Salisbury City in 2014. Three days later it was back to Northwood Park for a home game against eighth-placed Bury Town. On-loan striker Matt Baxter had followed his first goal at the weekend with his 20th birthday on the Sunday and then

games and into double figures for the season; the boy was getting noticed and he then signed for Conference side Stevenage Borough in January! When we left the story last, distant play-off hopes had been hit by being held to a 1-1 draw by Potters Bar Town so they couldn’t really afford any further slip-ups starting away at lowly Wivenhoe Town on Saturday 15th March 2008. The Dragons had been improving and included Barnet winger Danny Hart in their side having chosen to move there on loan rather than extend his stay with the Woods plus exTottenham defender Stuart Nethercott.

26 

Northwood v Cambridge City

celebrated even more in this game netting a match-winning hat-trick. In an open and entertaining game, the Woods took the lead after 16 minutes when Abdul Yoki’s cross was

TEN YEARS AFTER retrieved by Michael Gordon and his centre was headed home by an unmarked Baxter. Mitch Swain kept out a strike from former Colchester United defender Gavin Johnson before it was 2-0 on 26 minutes as a header from John Christian released Baxter and he finished with a clever lob of goalkeeper Dean Greygoose. Bury hit back soon after though with Liam Barrett reducing the arrears before Sean Sonner was tripped in the box to earn the Woods their very first penalty of the season! Baxter took it, aiming for a 15 minute hat-trick but 43-year-old former Crewe ‘keeper Greygoose made a fine save. The visitors took full advantage to level the scores with a Steve Bugg header but again the Woods hit back to lead 3-2 by half-time as a Danny Murphy corner was met by a Ryan Tackley header back across goal which crept in just under the crossbar. The second-half proved just as actionpacked and the Woods were a little lucky to stay in front as Bugg’s header came back off the bar and into Swain’s hands after a long spell of pressure from Bury but on 66 minutes Gordon beat his marker and his cross was chested over the line by Baxter for his hat-trick. The 4-2 lead was still under threat though and when Murphy conceded a penalty for a trip, Barrett fired in from the spot and at 4-3 there were a few nerves in the final ten minutes. But the Woods defence held out to claim another three points and had now lost just two of their last eighteen league games. It was another home game at the weekend – Saturday 22nd March – which saw Brentwood Town visit Northwood Park. The Essex side were in seventh place and still well in the hunt for a play-off place, some eleven points ahead of Northwood though having played a game more.

The Woods, full of confidence after their two wins during the previous week, attacked from the start and were suddenly three goals ahead after just 14 minutes. Sean Sonner was still looking for his first goal since his move from Harefield United but that came to an end after just six minutes as he flicked in Michael Gordon’s low cross. There had been time for Brentwood to hit the post before the second goal on 13 minutes as Rodney Hicks fed Sonner who

surprised the ‘keeper with an unstoppable 25yard strike that flew into the top corner. Just a minute later a high ball from Abdul Yoki looped off the head of a defender and goalkeeper Marc Palmer could only help the ball over the line. The visitors actually dominated possession from then on but it was clearly not going to be their day and Michael Deane was another to shoot against the woodwork. With ten minutes

to go Jerome Hall had a shot well saved but John Christian pounced for a fourth goal and then Sonner made it a memorable afternoon by completing a hat-trick as Palmer failed to gather Gordon’s cross-shot. It was all going well and we will have more from everything Ten Years After in our next programme. www.northwoodfc.com 

27

28 

Northwood v Cambridge City

EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTH, EAST

ROUND-UP

Last Saturday, despite taking an early second minute lead at Hartley Wintney through Ben Farrell, AFC Rushden & Diamonds were undone by a brace from Dean Stow after 32 and 60 minutes.

TODAY’S FIXTURES Ashford Town v Uxbridge Aylesbury v Egham Town Barton Rovers v Moneyfields Beaconsfield T. v AFC Rushden & D. Bedford Town v Chalfont St Peter Fleet Town v Hayes & Yeading Utd Hanwell Town v Aylesbury United Kempston Rovers v Hartley Wintney Marlow v AFC Dunstable Northwood v Cambridge City Thame United v Arlesey Town

Hayes & Yeading won the derby against Uxbridge with a brace from Manny Duku after 20 minutes – from the penalty spot – and 79 minutes, with Duncan Culley on 74 minutes and Laste Dombaxe 5 minutes from time adding the others. AFC Dunstable demolished Arlesey Town 7-0; it was 5-0 at half-time with goals from BJ Christie and Jermaine Hall with two apiece and a Keanu Williams own goal. Hall completed his hat-trick on the hour-mark and Terry Griffiths added a seventh on 65 minutes. Chalfont St Peter could only manage a 1-1 draw at Marlow, whose Jay Welch cancelled out Jake Cass’ 47th minute opener in the 5th minute of stoppage time at the end of the game.

League table Including 30.3.18

P

W

AFC Rushden & D

34

22

Hayes & Yeading

36

22

Hartley Wintney

35

22

4

Beaconsfield

33

22

4

AFC Dunstable

34

20

Cambridge City Chalfont St Peter Bedford Town

D

L

F

A

Pts

7

5

76

21

73

4

10

85

45

70

9

83 44

70

7

69

39

70

8

6

69

28

68

33 20

4

9

85 44

64

35 18

8

9

49

33

62

35

17

5

13

54

44

56

Kempston Rovers 34

16

7

11

63

62 55

Moneyfields

34

15

9

10

66

53 54

Thame United

34 16

3

15

60

60

51

Ashford Town

35 15

5

15

74

60

50

Uxbridge

36 13

6

17

53

72

45

Egham Town

34 12

7

15

47 70

43

Aylesbury

36 13

4

19

35

61

43

17

46

69

40

Marlow

35

11

7

Northwood

35

8

10

Aylesbury

34

8

17 45 59

34

5

21

33

29

66

Hanwell Town

31

8

4

19

36

55 28

Fleet Town

35

6

10

19

35

73 28

Barton Rovers

34

5

8

21 29

70

23

Arlesey Town

34

2

5

27

95

11

31

Cambridge City had a 1-0 win at St Ives against Aylesbury United, courtesy of a James Hall goal after 27 minutes. Bedford Town beat early season contenders Moneyfields 3-1 at the New Eyrie, but the Eagles left it late. It was 1-1 after Jimmy Hartley`s 6th minute opener for Bedford was levelled on the half-hour mark by Sam Pearce. Veteran Paul Benson pounced to put the Eagles in front a minute from time and Bradley Woods-Garness added a third eight minutes into time added on. Kempston Rovers failed to beat Fleet Town at Hillgrounds, trailing to a second minute Brad Wilson goal until Jake Newman equalised on the hour-mark. Barton Rovers lost to a goal a minute before halftime from Tom Howard for hosts Ashford Town. Hanwell Town won at Aylesbury FC with a Calum Duffy brace and a spot-kick from Joe Chandiram, while Michael Kalu had a day to remember as he scored all three for Egham Town as they won 3-1 at Thame United, whose Lynton Goss and Dan West replied. Cambridge City had a 7-1 demolition of Marlow at St Ives on Monday night. Ben Seymour-Shove grabbed the opener after 10 minutes and Jordan Gent doubled City`s lead five minutes later. SeymourShove’s second arrived six minutes after that and then Ryan Sharman got in on the act in the 39th minute. Charlie Barton reduced the deficit on the half-hour mark, with James Hall making it a five for City three minutes later. Seymour-Shove completed his hat-trick from a penalty, and Ryan Towner added City’s seventh goal in the 62nd minute. www.northwoodfc.com 

29

Fixtures/Results 2017 Date AUGUST Sat 12 Tue 15 Sat 19 Sat 26 Mon 28 SEPTEMBER Sat 9 Tue 12 Sat 16 Sat 23 Tue 26 Sat 30 OCTOBER Sat 7 Sat 14 Tue 17 Sat 21 Tue 24 Sat 28 NOVEMBER Sat 4 Sat 11 Sat 18 Sat 25 Tue 28 DECEMBER Sat 2 Sat 16 Sat 23 Tue 26 JANUARY Sat 6 Tue 9 Sat 13 Sat 27 FEBRUARY Sat 3 Tue 6 Sat 17 Tue 20 Sat 24 MARCH Tue 6 Sat 17 Wed 21 Sat 24 Sat 31 APRIL Mon 2 Sat 7 Sat 14 Sat 21 Tue 24 Sat 28

30 

Venue

Hartley Wintney MONEYFIELDS Swindon Supermarine (FAC) Arlesey Town HAYES & YEADING UNITED

Away HOME Away Away HOME

L 0-2 D 1-1 L 0-1 W 3-1 W 2-0

135 103 132 87 243

19 18 12 9

Cambridge City EGHAM TOWN (BFBC) EGHAM TOWN Uxbridge ASHFORD TOWN MARLOW

Away HOME HOME Away HOME HOME

L 0-1 L 1-3 L 0-1 L 1-2 L 1-7 L 1-2

145 52 96 90 89 106

13 14 16 17 18

MALDON & TIPTREE (FAT) Bedford Town AFC Hayes (MSC1) AYLESBURY UNITED Hanwell Town FLEET TOWN

HOME Away Away HOME Away HOME

L 2-5 D 0-0 L 0-3 W 3-0 W 3-1 W 2-1

97 174 39 194 121 74

18 16 15 12

Hazlett Hazlett Hazlett Hazlett Hazlett Hazlett

KEMPSTON ROVERS Barton Rovers AFC Rushden & Diamonds AYLESBURY Thame United

HOME Away Away HOME Away

W 3-0 D 1-1 L 0-4 L 0-1 D 3-3

131 101 451 85 68

11 12 13 13 13

Hazlett Hazlett Hazlett Hazlett Hazlett

Olorunfemi Olorunfemi Olorunfemi Ochoa Olorunfemi

Adamson Adamson Adamson Gilbey Haile

Beaconsfield Town Moneyfields HARTLEY WINTNEY Hayes & Yeading United

Away Away HOME Away

D 2-2 L 0-2 W 3-1 L 2-4

85 74 96 172

13 16 15 16

Hazlett Hazlett Comas Nolan

Ochoa Olorunfemi Olorunfemi Olorunfemi

Buckley Gilbey ΠAlomenu Hayden-Smith Gilbey Taylor Gilbey Taylor

Egham Town AFC DUNSTABLE ARLESEY TOWN Kempston Rovers

Away HOME HOME Away

D 2-2 D 2-2 W 3-1 D 1-1

101 71 79 71

15 15 14 16

Comas Comas Comas Comas

Ochoa Chingoka Chingoka Olorunfemi

Ashford Town CHALFONT ST PETER Marlow BARTON ROVERS BEDFORD TOWN

Away HOME Away HOME HOME

D 2-2 L 0-2 L 0-1 D 1-1 L 1-2

93 91 164 82 102

14 15 16 15 17

Comas Comas Comas Harris Comas

Olorunfemi Tring Chingoka  Williams Newman Kouassi Olorunfemi Camilo Tajeco Chingoka Olorunfemi Camilo Tajeco Chingoka Camilo Tajeco Gilbey Chingoka

UXBRIDGE AFC Dunstable Aylesbury United BEACONSFIELD TOWN CAMBRIDGE CITY

HOME Away Away HOME HOME

L 0-1 L 0-2 L 0-2 L 2-3

86 51 89 96

17 17 17 17

Comas Comas Comas Comas

Oyeniran Gilbey Camilo Tajeco Dickson Camilo Tajeco Dickson Olorunfemi Dickson

Chalfont St Peter AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS Fleet Town THAME UNITED HANWELL TOWN Aylesbury

Away HOME Away HOME HOME Away

Northwood v Cambridge City

Result Gate

Lge. pos.

Opponents

Voss Voss Ayoub Voss Voss

Adamson Adamson ΠAdamson Adamson Adamson

Hobbs Hobbs Hobbs Boxer Hewitt

Joseph Kelly Adamson Loeches-Teixeira J McDonnell Adamson Daly J McDonnell Antwi Kelly J McDonnell McCorkell McCorkell Kelly Robinson Hazlett Kelly Robinson

Hewitt Hewitt Hewitt Buckley Buckley Buckley

Kelly Kelly Kelly Kelly Kelly

Kelly Robinson Ochoa Robinson Olorunfemi Robinson Ochoa Robinson Ochoa Robinson Robinson Olorunfemi

Hall Gilbey Gilbey Gilbey

Ochoa Hewitt Hewitt Buckley Buckley Buckley Buckley Buckley Buckley Buc kley Buckley

Taylor McLeod Taylor Chingoka

Chingoka Chingoka Chingoka Chingoka

7/18 Hewitt Hewitt Hewitt Hewitt Boxer Œ

Rose Rose Rose Hobbs Hobbs

Key: goalscorer Πown goal +

Woods

Woods

OFFICIAL NORTHWOOD MATCHDAY PROGRAMME £2

OFFICIAL NORTHWOOD MATCHDAY PROGRAMME £2

versus MONEYFIELDS Tuesday 15th August 2017 Kick-off 7.45pm

versus MONEYFIELDS

EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTH, EAST

yellow card

M Osei Williams Hayden-Smith Newman Nyariki Chingoka M Osei Williams Hayden-Smith Newman Nyariki Kouassi Nyariki Kouassi Hayden-Smith Walker Martin Thorne Hayden-Smith Kouassi ΠWilliams ΠAbdollahi Chingoka Martin ΠChingoka Williams Hayden-Smith J McDonnell Kouassi ΠAbdollahi

Hobbs Boxer Kousassi J McDonnell Williams Hobbs Chingoka T McDonnell Kouassi ΠWilliams Hobbs Kouassi Williams T McDonnell Chingoka Hobbs Hewitt Kouassi T McDonnell Williams Hobbs T McDonnell Kouassi Williams Rose Davies-Coker Hobbs Chingoka Hayden-Smith ΠWalsh EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTH, EAST

sub 1 sub 2 sub 3

Tuesday 15th August 2017 Kick-off 7.45pm

J Osei  J Osei Pedro J Osei Ž J Osei Œ J Osei

Antwi Nyariki

Williams Williams Gyimah Martin Martin ΠMartin

Nche Nche Chingoka Olorunfemi Olorunfemi Chingoka

Ochoa Œ Ochoa Ochoa Martin Chingoka 

Hobbs Hobbs Hobbs Hobbs

Hewitt Hewitt Ochoa Hewitt

Hayden-Smith Chingoka Ochoa Chingoka Hayden-Smith Chingoka ΠHayden-Smith Ochoa

Newman Martin Alomenu Alomenu

Martin Olorunfemi ΠAlomenu Taylor Newman Montella Martin ΠNewman ΠMontella Martin Newman Montella

Hatherly J McDonnell Taylor Hatherly Hatherly Williams  Williams Hatherly

J Osei J Osei ΠJ Osei J Osei

Martin Œ Martin Œ Wynter Kouassi Œ

Newman Olorunfemi Newman Olorunfemi Newman ΠOlorunfemi Newman Montella

J Osei J Osei Wynter Clarke J Osei

Kouassi Chingoka Kouassi Kouassi ΠKouassi

Newman Gilbey Newman Newman Olorunfemi

J Osei J Osei Oyeniran J Osei 

Kouassi Kouassi Kouassi Kouassi

Clarke Oyeniran Newman Haile

Russell Tring Tring Tring Hobbs

Williams Olorunfemi Williams Williams Williams Œ

Tring Gilbey Hobbs Hobbs

Hobbs Tring Tring Tring

Williams Williams Azeez Williams

Nyariki Hatherly Barker Barker Barker Barker Hobbs Russell Russell

Newman Newman Martin Newman Gilbey

Chingoka Kelly Kelly Doolan Doolan Williams

Hewitt Hewitt Hewitt Hewitt Ochoa

Bunga Bunga Gilbey Gilbey Tring

Martin Martin Kouassi Hayden-Smith Hayden-Smith

Gyiamah Boxer Martin Gurteen Martin Rose

Hobbs Hobbs Hobbs Hobbs Hobbs

Chingoka ΠHobbs Hobbs Nyariki

Newman Olorunfemi Abdollahi Newman Newman Newman Œ

J McDonnell Nyariki

Hobbs Pedro Nche Hewitt Hewitt Hewitt

Hayden-Smith J Osei  Kouassi J Osei Œ Hayden-Smith Newman Lutaaya J Osei Lutaaya Martin Œ

Kouassi Kouassi Kouassi Kouassi Kouassi ΠKouassi

Walker Walker Chingoka Nyariki Hall

Davies-Coker Boxer Boxer Hobbs Rose Rose

Hobbs Hall Hall Russell

Chingoka Hayden-Smith Chingoka Hayden-Smith Ochoa Hayden-Smith Chingoka Hayden-Smith Nche Hayden-Smith Ochoa Hayden-Smith Œ

Hayden-Smith Martin Hayden-Smith Martin Hayden-Smith Newman Hayden-Smith Newman Hayden-Smith Newman ΠKouassi Newman

red card

Kouassi Chingoka Hayden-Smith Chingoka Robinson Chingoka Chingoka Olorunfemi Gyimah Haile Nche Gyimah Haile

Chingoka Martin Abdollahi Abdollahi Nche Gurteen Adamson Gyimah Haile

Nche Gyimah J McDonnell

Alomenu Haile Montella Haile

Haile

Hatherly Azeez Bunga Montella Montella

Haile Russell Azeez Nyariki Clarke

Montella Haile Nyriaki Nche Haile

Azeez Azeez Haile Montella

Bunga Montella Montella Newman

Camilo Tajeco

Haile

www.northwoodfc.com 

31

The Squads NORTHWOOD

CAMBRIDGE CITY

Acting Manager: Gordon Boateng Physio: Dan Daggett

Manager: Robbie Nightingale Asst. Manager: Neil Midgley Coach: Dave Theobold

Kit: All red

Kit: All light blue

XAVI COMAS

CHARLIE BANNISTER

ISAAC OLORUNFEMI

BEN ROBINSON

SAM OYENIRAN

ADAM CAPEL

TOM GILBEY

ROSS PATERSON ©

KEIR DICKSON

JORDAN GENT

SAM TRING

JORDAN WILLIAMS

WILSON CHINGOKA ©

EBBY NELSON-ADDY

LEWIS HOBBS

RYAN TOWNER

JOE RUSSELL

JAMES HALL

HAMILTON BUNGA

RYAN SHARMAN

HAKIM NYARIKI

NATHAN OLUKANMI

MESHACH WILLIAMS

BUSTER HARRADINE

JERMAINE OSEI

JACK VASEY

MERVIN ABRAHAM

LEWIS WILSON

HARRY NEWMAN

BEN SEYMORE-SHOVE

PAOLO MONTELLA

SALIM RELIZANI

EVANS KOUASSI

DAVID TAYLOR

JAMIE FULTON NEBAY HAILE CHRIS BENJAMIN JOE BENJAMIN TEMILOLUWA OLADEJO FEMI AZEEZ JAMIE FULTON BEN DEFAUX

The Officials REFEREE: Darren Knox ASSISTANT: Andrew Tregoning ASSISTANT: Elliott Mayer