FA CUP AFC Dunstable V Northwood This Wednesday & Report

[smellynuts]

AFC Dunstable v Northwood at Creasey this Wednesday 7.45pm Kick off.

 

Your support will be most welcome, and its a great home draw v Borehamwood should we get thru.

 

AFC Report from Saturdays game;

Great credit goes to the AFC players who bounced back strongly in the second half, and now bring an undeniably strong Northwood team for a replay at Creasey this Wednesday (7.45pm). Having said that I do feel we have far more to offer, and if we are to progress into the next round then we need more players to show their capabilities than we did in the first tie. Northwood are particularly impressive going forward with outstanding pace and movement, and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring after 6 minutes when their winger was allowed too much space in the box to drill the ball past Sam Leggitt from a tight angle. AFC tried to get a foothold into the game but Northwood created far more openings, and to be fair had a good penalty claim turned down when Leggitt seemed to bring down Hawkins after 30 minutes. Five minutes later Northwood had their captain controversially sent off after pulling down Blackett who otherwise could of had a clear run at goal. This changed the game dynamics and it was now AFC in the ascendency, and both Lee Burgoyne and Jay Blackett tested the Northwood keeper before the half was bought to a close.

AFC continued to threaten in the second period with numerous chances from Cristie, Clarke, Burgoyne and Harnamann, but the Northwood keeper was more than up to the challenge. AFC then took the gamble of 3 at the back with 3 forwards and it immediately paid dividends when Harnamann released Cristie who hammered the ball into the net past the onrushing keeper (75 minutes). However Northwood were still a threat going forward, and the referee seemed to even up his earlier errors which went against Northwood by awarding a soft penalty when defender Dan Ryan was adjudged to have pulled down Belletti. Sam Leggitt guessed correctly to pull off a fine save from Northwoods Chistian. The game was now end to end, but AFC’s Cristie should have prevented the need for a replay in the final minute when he blasted over when put clean through, but in truth Northwood deserved to be in the draw for the replay this coming Wednesday.

So our journey continues, we are proud to be the only local side and one of only 2 teams remaining South Midlands team come today’s next round draw (1pm), and we intend to do everything possible to ensure we get ourselves into the hat for the next round. I urge everyone to come and support us, for which I am sure will be a cracking tie.

 

NORTHWOOD REPORT

A replay will have to decide who progresses through to the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round after this heated and physical encounter finished 1-1 at a sunny Chestnut Avenue. Having been the underdog in the previous round and having seen off the challenge of higher ranked Chesham United, it was the Woods’ turn to be the favourite as they looked to avoid an upset against Spartan South Midlands League high flyers AFC Dunstable – an outfit that had already seen off the challenge of Redbridge (the giant killers in the competition from last season) 5-0 on their way to the 2nd Qualifying round stage.

 

Gary Meakin included James McCluskey in his side for the first time in a competitive match this season, and had goalkeeper Mitch Swain in his squad; a man who has yet to add to his 150 appearances for the club so far in the 2012/13 campaign. Furthermore, the Northwood manager had Lee Grant back and available for selection and it was a good job too, as Brad Hewitt sat this one out.

 

As expected it was the hosts who looked the livelier as Adamson Ajayi roamed free down the right flank and was unlucky to see his cross turned away with Romaine Walker looking likely to latch on to it, and then the latter showed patience to win a corner when a crossing opportunity had passed.

 

The Woods were looking for an early goal to settle the nerves and they got exactly that. A short corner resulted in an exchange of passes between Walker and McCluskey and the former Hanwell Town midfielder showed decent composure tucking the ball away neatly from inside the penalty area – 1-0 to the home side after six minutes.

Even though Northwood had gained the early advantage they were dealt a reminder that Dunstable would pose a threat further up the field and a dangerous inswinging free kick only just evaded the arriving attacker who had momentarily lost his balance. Then the passing football from Meakin’s side came to the fore as McCluskey found John Christian, and he played an inch perfect cross field pass for Ajayi, though the former Chalfont St Peter winger drove over the bar. There was evidence of more directness in their play compared with last week as Oliver Hawkins – recalled to the side was causing some problems for the visitors – and by and large, AFC were not allowed to settle.

 

However, the Bedfordshire based outfit were to demonstrate why they had hit thirteen goals in the FA Cup prior to today’s meeting as they tested James Reading for the first time in the afternoon. Jason Blackett controlled a cross well, and hit his effort having been given time on the edge of the box, although it was easy for the home goalkeeper Reading. A short time later and the experienced Craig White – as he has done numerous times this season – broke up the play on the right side of the box at the expense of a corner kick, the visiting parties first of the afternoon.

 

Up the other end, and there was some urgency from Northwood as they carved out one opening after another. Christian, McCluskey and Ajayi were linking effectively and the latter was the recipient of a gorgeous, inventive ball in and behind the Dunstable defence but fortunately it ricocheted off Ajayi after he had got the better of Sam Leggett, and on this occasion he couldn’t keep the attack alive. Moments later and the tempo which the Woods has adopted did not appear to be subsiding. The outstanding McCluskey who had been carving out ‘Scholes-esque’ type passes for much of the half found Walker one on one, and the dangerous wide-man beat the keeper to the loose ball only to appear to be upended. Despite the cries for a spot kick, in particular from the felled player himself, the referee was un-moved and opted to point for a corner kick instead.

 

From the corner that followed, McCluskey went for his second goal of the game but his curling effort cleared the left upright; yet Northwood would have another opportunity to increase their lead. Hawkins did well to create a goal-scoring opening and it looked destined to find the bottom corner once he hit his effort except it beat the ‘keeper and the post. Ajayi was then leaving the OD’s at sixes and sevens as he beat Luke Little for pace, but like so often this campaign on the part of the Woods, the finishing touch was lacking as his attempt was mere catching practice for former Biggleswade Town goalkeeper Leggett. But the home side’s dominance was not about to reap its rewards, though it might have done had McCluskey – so often at the forefront of all things good this afternoon – failed to hit the free-kick (in a good area) with much conviction.

 

Then the momentum shifted in an instant. A ball in and behind saw captain Reece Yorke and Blackett become tangled and the striker went down about 15 yards from goal. The referee then made a contentious decision – displaying no hesitation - to show the former St Albans City defender a straight red card after deeming it a ‘clear’ goal scoring opportunity even though it was debatable as to whether Yorke was the last man. The hosts would have to play the remainder of the tie with ten men, a tall order to say the least after losing their influential centre half. The direct free kick forced Reading into a save as he had to parry the ball behind.

 

Then, after the Woods had only half cleared, an AFC attacker went for an audacious attempt that had the Northwood keeper back tracking and he did extremely well to turn the ball over the bar when it appeared to be heading in. That save was the last action in an entertaining, largely one sided first half; however the red card would prove to be the catalyst in evening the flow of the game, a major talking point for all the wrong reasons!

As the saying goes, this affair was a tale of two halves. Northwood had seen the majority of the play in the first half and may have felt they should have gone in further in front, though AFC Dunstable were benefitting from playing against a team a man light, and they made that count. For long periods in the second forty five minutes, Northwood were under the cosh and that was demonstrated immediately as Scott Raper showed athleticism to race back and clear a header off the line from Blackett that had Reading wrong-footed, and would have levelled the scores. Alex Butler’s side were growing more confident with every passing minute and a dangerous delivery from the right wing by Wayne Mills had Northwood scampering, and then the driven shot from 25-yards that followed from Gareth Harnaman only just crept wide. Gary Meakin then brought on ex QPR youth player Danny McDonnell – a defender – for Walker to try and obtain some balance at the back, but it was fair to say the Woods were certainly weathering the storm!

 

A matter of minutes later and with the hosts backpedalling, Lee Burgoyne let rip from the edge of the eighteen yard box and he was not too far away from hitting the target. The pressure was coming from all angles and inevitably it forced an equalising goal. A clever through ball sliced open the Northwood defence, but full credit must go to front-man Bernard Christie, who steadied himself and then belted an unstoppable driven shot high in to the net that left the goalkeeper with no chance. 1-1, and all to play for with fourteen minutes remaining.

 

Spencer Bellotti was then brought on for the tiring Hawkins and we was at the centre of attention a short time later. A long throw in by McDonnell caused havoc in the Dunstable defence after they had allowed it to bounce, the ex Oxhey Jets striker Bellotti turned before being cynically tugged to the floor just as he was about to shoot: no complaints as the man in the middle Adrian Oldershaw pointed to the spot. Northwood – having been on the back foot with a man down for much of the second half, had a chance to win the game and book their place in the next round with nine minutes remaining. The Dunstable goalkeeper Leggett had other ideas, though, as he guessed correctly to divert Christian’s poor spot kick away, a moment which summed up the small margins in football. The question had to be asked though, was it going to be Woods’ day?

 

Nevertheless, both sides still had time to grab a decisive goal, Christian tried to make amends for his penalty miss as he drove over more in desperation than anything, and then a Jack Hutchinson free-kick found Scott Raper, but he couldn’t direct it towards goal with half hearted shouts from a section of supporters for handball being waved away. Both sides were trying to make the most of any opportunities that came there way, although the Woods were leaving themselves exposed at the back and that was very nearly cruelly exposed by Christie who failed to add to his earlier strike, as he could only succeed in firing high and wide.

 

If Northwood are to make it through to the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round for the first time since the 2001/02 season then will have to overcome AFC Dunstable in a replay at Creasey Park this coming Wednesday, in what is likely to be a tough encounter. If they are able to play like they did for most of the first half, then barring any controversial refereeing decisions, they should have a decent chance of doing just that. All eyes will be on the draw which is made on Monday to see who the Woods or Dunstable will face then, depending on the outcome of the game in midweek. Fingers crossed that Northwood can make it through and keep their cup dreams well and truly alive!

[X man]

Good luck mate

[smellynuts]

Good luck mate

Nice one X Man and nice to see your boys getting off to a flyer in the Prem. Northwood are a good side though and our decent playing surface will definately suit their pace and movement more than their home pitch. Great incentive though to draw Borehamwood in the next round at home.

[Savagebee]

Should be a great game. Goodluck to both teams.

 

A few ex Hanwell players at Northwood.

[smellynuts]

Nice one X Man and nice to see your boys getting off to a flyer in the Prem. Northwood are a good side though and our decent playing surface will definately suit their pace and movement more than their home pitch. Great incentive though to draw Borehamwood in the next round at home.

Thanks for the reminder, it was one of your old players who scored their opener, he is a tidy player;

"McCluskey and the former Hanwell Town midfielder showed decent composure tucking the ball away neatly from inside the penalty area – 1-0 to the home side after six minutes".

I didn't realise they are central to a good South Mid's catchment area, with Oxhey, Hanwell, Harefield, Berko, Langley and Leverstock all close by.

[Savagebee]

Thanks for the reminder, it was one of your old players who scored their opener, he is a tidy player;

"McCluskey and the former Hanwell Town midfielder showed decent composure tucking the ball away neatly from inside the penalty area – 1-0 to the home side after six minutes".

I didn't realise they are central to a good South Mid's catchment area, with Oxhey, Hanwell, Harefield, Berko, Langley and Leverstock all close by.

 

Yeah McCluskey came to us after being released from the Brentford U18s late in the 2010/11 season he wasnt with us long.