At last the boys showed the type of football that they are capable of playing. On a perfect playing surface at Merchant Taylors the starting line-up included our new player Frankie.
This week with barely a minute gone a great pass from Lewis Ryan found Ashley who beat one player cut inside and scored a fine goal 1-0 Woods 1 minute gone. This great start really did settle the nerves and the boys really played the quick passing game that we practice week after week in training and this week as already said on the surface that you dream of were able to ute the game plan brilliantly. Shortly after the early goal Joshua found himself a bit of space and fired in a great shot that just went pass the post, this was going to be one of those days for Joshua who had other chances in the game that were other saved well by the outstanding STAR goalkeeper or just missed the target.
The second goal came from a Ashley corner that fell to the feet of debut boy Frankie who fired home his first goal for Northwood from close range 2-0. Northwood were now really dominating the game with STAR only getting their attacks on the counter, but the back 3 of Lewis Ryan, Daniel & George with the help of Frankie kept the attacks out, Rayyan was called into action a couple of times but the shots were not troubling him at all. It was from one of these attacks that George fired a great pass through to Lewis Reid who had just come on the pitch to make it 3-0 on halftime.
The chat at halftime was very much to continue with the same style & work rate of the first half. Ben Freeth back after injury and Saihaan were brought on for the second half, with Saihaan and Ashley combing well to make it 4-0 with another well taken goal from Ashley his second of the game. The second half had started pretty much the same as the first with an early goal and Northwood playing some great passing football, after another good move involving Lewis Ryan, Callum and the finishing with Ashley firing a great ball across the St Albans 6-yard box for an unfortunate STAR player to turn into his own goal 5-0.
Goal number 6 was not long after that with what now was becoming a rout. Again the midfield combined well with Ben Freeth finding Saihaan who beat the St Albans defence with sheer pace and fired in the sixth. More changes were made as the bench was really making a difference today as every change added something different to the team. Another good move that saw the ball go from the left to the right saw Saihaan beat his defender but as he was going past him he was brought down free kick to the Woods. Up stepped Lewis Reid who fancied he chances from this angle and range and he fired in a great kick that found the top left corner 7-0 Northwood. The game was now petering off to the end and from a rare error from Northwood let STAR have a shooting opportunity from outside the penalty area the grateful STAR player took a fortunate shot looped over Rayyan and in 7-1. There was just about enough time for Lewis Reid to complete his hatrick with a fine run and a wonderful strike from outside the penalty area to make it 8-1, unfortunately for Lewis I only have one match ball so it could take it but he did get Player of the Match this week so well done to him, especially as he started the game as one of the subs.
John & I are really pleased with the performance this week as the boys have shown steady improvement of the last 3 weeks and with it culminating in a great win, this will hopefully get the confidence back to finish the rest of the season in style.
Line – up Rayyan, Lewis Ryan, Daniel, George, Ashley, Frankie, Callum, Declan Joshua, Lewis Reid, Ben Freeth, Saihaan.
