Another disappointing result but the performance was so much better than last week. The boys were very much told to go out and enjoy themselves and play the sort of football that they are more than capable of.
The team started well with the match quite closely contested in the opening period of the game with both teams having to adapt to a very slow grassy pitch. With 8 minutes gone a well worked move saw Saihaan and Callum link up well with Callum with him finishing well to open up the scoring 1-0 Northwood. As last week the boys were encouraged to keep shape and concentration as Croxley started to push forward more directly which did force some fine saves from Rayyan. Again from another long ball Croxley did equalise on the 13th minute 1-1. The game then went from end to end with both sides having chances but Northwood were trying to play the more attractive football against Croxley's more direct long ball approach. Again we were faced with a referee that liked to ref the game from 100 yards away and missed a blatant penalty and the predictable happened Croxley punted the ball up the pitch and made it 2-1 right on the halftime whistle. At half time the boys were again told to go and express themselves and play the style of football that they are capable of.
The second half started and as last week the boys were a bit slow out of the traps and after just 5 minutes of the half found themselves 3-1 down after a well taken goal from Croxley. Then just a minute later Callum put a lovely pass through to find Ashley 3-2 we were back in the game again. Then barely five minutes later after a lot of Northwood pressure another long clearance saw Croxley counter attack and again and get back their 2 goal cushion lead 4-2. Again a minute later this time man of the match Ben put a great pass through for Ashley to get his second 4-3 it was going to be another one of those high scoring games. Northwood again enjoyed having the ball and moving it around well the move broke down and again Croxley broke and made it 5-3 . The tackles were now beginning to fly in as the ref had hardly controlled the game with any free kicks to either side and one of these tackles saw Saihaan taken out near the Croxley penalty area, again no foul was given, instead a drop ball that Croxley thumped down the field which put our defence under immediate pressure as the Croxley forwards chased the ball down. I’m not sure how that was meant to help us but from this attack Croxley got their 6th goal. Again Northwood did try to rescue the game with both Callum & Ashley going close. Then another very strong challenge on Saihaan which again no free kick was given saw his morning come to an end. Whilst this was all happening I had my back t the game & Northwood got their fourth from another well take goal from Callum.
Unlike last week the boys still tried to chase the game and get another goal back to try and make it a nervous end for Croxley & another fine passing move saw Ben Bambrough go through to the edge of the penalty area and just as he was about to shoot was fouled but one of the Croxley defenders, this time a free kick was given. Ben dusted himself down and struck a great free kick that had the goal keeper well and truly beaten only to hit the post it was. Shortly after the game ended with Croxley coming out winners 6-4. This week was so much better than last week even though we could not get the win the boys showed great character and played much better, I am sure the win is just around the corner if we build on today's performance, well done everyone.
