Another good overall performance from the boys but again we have come away on the losing side.
This week the boys did start a bit on the back foot against league leaders Bushey who were allowed the freedom to play some good passing football. After the first 5 minutes the boys did start to get into the game but were unfortunately did have the luck or conviction in the final 3rd of the field.
On the 18th minute a fine run from the Bushey No.9 saw him take a good shot that would have beaten any goalkeeper 1-0 Bushey.
This goal did spark Northwood into action with some fine attacking play but without that final pass or finish.
At the other end of the park the defence with Joshua playing in the centre of the back 3 of him, George & Lewis Ryan ,with Ben B in front were stopping all that Bushey were throwing at them.
The half time whistle blew and boys came off 1-0 down but still very much in the game.
The second half started with Northwood looking a bit more sharp & were beginning to start to string some good passing moves together. However one of this moves broke down and Bushey went up the other end despite some good covering again by the back 3 a good shot beat Rayyan 2-0 Bushey.
Northwood then did enjoy there best period of the game with George finding Lewis Reid with an exquisite cross field pass that Lewis ran onto and fired a shot in but the goal keeper was a match for it. Then moments later Ben Freeth picked out Callum but again the goalkeeper saved. The boys could sense that they were getting on top but it was probably not going to be their day. Joshua again found Lewis Reid and again the shot was good but did not find the net. With about 10 minutes t go the next goal was going to be crucial and with Northwood well on top it could have turned the game, but a good through ball found the quick Bushey striker who also finished well 3-0 Bushey. You could tell that the 3rd goal and killed off any chance of the Northwood comeback as the Bushey defence was very well organised as well and we were having one of those days in front of goal.
With 5 minutes to go the referee who I thought did have a very good game awarded Bushey a penalty. The big No.9 stepped up to take it and expecting Rayyan to dive he drilled it down the centre of the goal, Rayyan somehow got a foot to it and kept it out his second penalty save in as many weeks.
The final whistle blew and it was a deserved victory for table topping Bushey, but the boys were really never out of it until it went 3-0.
This week’s player of the match Joshua accepted the challenge of playing in the heart of the defence this week instead of his usual striker role, he had a great overall game finishing with him getting his well-deserved award.
Well down to all the boys
