versus BEACONSFIELD TOWN - Northwood FC

THE OFFICIAL NORTHWOOD MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2017-18

Woods

versus BEACONSFIELD TOWN EVO-STIKLEAGUE LEAGUESOUTH, SOUTH,EAST EAST EVO-STIK

Saturday 24th 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

KEN GREEN

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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 Beaconsfield Town; we trust they enjoy their stay with us and have a safe journey home later.

Beaconsfield, under the guidance of former Woods player and manager Gary Meakin, are going every well this season, with their eyes clearly on the promotion prize. Should they achieve that aim, it would be the highest level that Beaconsfield – whether in the guise of United, Sycob or Town – have ever played. Currently they are in third place, but only on goal difference from Hayes & Yeading, who have played three more games, so history could be made at Holloway’s Park by the end of next month! Back in early December, the Woods recovered from an early two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 at Beaconsfield, who had gone ahead with a deflected shot from Aaron Minhas on seven minutes, and he netted again with another deflection a few minutes later made it 2-0. But we hit back on 35 minutes when Tom Gilbey stabbed the ball home after Mahlondo Martin’s free-kick was parried by the keeper. On stroke of half-time, Isaac Olorunfemi slotted in Martin’s cross to level things up. Earlier this week, the club parted company with interim manager Jake Heracleous, and Ian Barry explains the reasons opposite. Gordon Boateng, who had been working with Jake, has agreed to look after the side for the final eight games of the season. The only win in Jake’s reign actually came in his first match in charge, against Arlesey – let’s hope that the new manager bounce works for Woods again today! Thanks for your support here this afternoon; this really is appreciated by us all. The Woods are back here at Northwood Park again next weekend, Easter Saturday, when promotion-chasing Cambridge City are the visitors – kick-off is at 3.00 p.m. as usual; we hope to see you then!

Ken 2

Northwood v Beaconsfield Town

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

Matchday Programme: Ken Green Photographs: James Brown

CLUB HONOURS 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

CHAIRMAN

IAN BARRY

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ood afternoon and welcome to Chestnut Avenue for today’s Evostik League fixture. We extend our welcome to our visitors from Beaconsfield Town FC and trust they enjoy their short stay here.

Starting with the obvious news from the past week or so, I decided to part company with Jake as our Interim Manager following the defeat at AFC Dunstable; Jake didn’t make the game and that coupled with other occasions when he wasn’t available, confirmed for me, in my opinion, that he wasn’t able to dedicate the time required for the job and its’ demands. We move on. Gordon has agreed to take the team until the end of the season - he was the obvious choice as he knows the group and has added a couple of faces in the short space of time he’s held the reigns. Clearly, this season and last season have not produced anywhere near enough results for us; for that, to our supporters, I apologise. Those that know me, know I won’t walk away and will do my best to turn things around. I don’t need to get into the why’s and wherefores of the various issues we’ve had, as I always publicise these, but any criticism (and there has been some) is distinctly unhelpful and I repeat “before criticising, have YOU volunteered?”. Enough said.

Today, the players need to take responsibility; there’s enough quality here we just need to take chances and show the character needed to get 3 points. As always, I’m always here to ask anything of it explain certain things. Just ask! Up the Woods!

Ian

“ Today the players need to take responsibility “ www.northwoodfc.com

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CLUB MATTERS

ALAN EVANS Re-arrangements 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. 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

to steady things at the club following the untimely loss of Simon Lane to Egham in January has now left the club. Jake is a highlyrespected coach with many contacts in football and his input has been very valuable throughout the season but even more so during the last couple of months. However, his work commitments meant that in recent weeks he wasn’t able to give as much time to the manager’s role as is considered necessary and with results not going well either, a decision was reached following last Saturday’s game at AFC Dunstable. I would like to thank Jake for his hard work and dedication over what was a difficult nine months here at Northwood, he was a pleasure to have around and I hope that his next adventure proves a good one for him. Player/Management News

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.

Jake had brought in Gordon Boateng to help him out with managing things since Simon Lane’s departure and, along with Richard Elderfield, they have been asked to continue to oversee matters for the remainder of the season – nine games starting with Wednesday night’s 2-0 defeat at Aylesbury United. I wish them the best of luck.

Jake departs

It was the deadline for registrations a couple of nights ago and with another flurry of signings we finally ended up having 89 players registered for the Southern League this season. A summary of the last couple of weeks follows.

Jake Heracleous, who stepped into the breach

After a few hard-working appearances, Charley

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Barker’s Work Experience from Leyton Orient came to an end after our game against Uxbridge and we thank him for his efforts over the last few weeks. However, joining the club to make his debut in that game was Sam Oyeniran who played against us for Barton Rovers just a few weeks earlier. Sam is 19 years old and came up through the junior ranks with Ebbsfleet United before playing at Tilbury U-23s, Herne Bay, BIllericay U-23s, and Norwich United. We were also delighted to have agreed an extension to the loan of defender Sam Tring (left) from Kings Langley which means that Sam will be with the Woods for the remainder of the season. Sam has been particularly impressive in his spell with the club. Left-back Keir Dickson joined us on dualregistration with Wingate & Finchley and made his debut at AFC Dunstable. A former Barnet youngster, Keir is 21 and had short spells with Hayes & Yeading, Enfield Town and Kingstonian last season. A trio of Under-18s were also registered as cover with Ben Dufaux, Jamie Fulton and Kyran Worrell all signing forms and hoping to follow Femi Azeez in making an impression after Femi started his first game on Wednesday night at the age of just 16. Experienced, veteran striker Mervin Abraham also put pen to paper this week while, at the time of writing, we are hoping that the registrations of two further experienced strikers had also met the deadline. I guess more may be revealed in the game today! Finally, 25-year-old Raphael Duyile plus Temiloluwa Oladejo, who is only 18 and Sam Afolabi were also added to the squad. 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 twelfth place in that one with an average of 108 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, AFC Rushden & Diamonds lead the way with attendances too, currently averaging 472; some 243 more than Bedford Town in second place. Despite their lofty position in the League table, today’s visitors Beaconsfield Town are in twenty-first place with an average of just 87. 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 Beaconsfield Town are just over halfway in 14th place. Leaders now are Cambridge City ahead of Aylesbury United. 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. There is a new leader in this one as Aylesbury United have gone ahead of Barton Rovers though the Ducks have played more home games where more points are scored. We have risen slightly to fifteenth place but Beaconsfield Town are high up in seventh place. However, the table is only up to 14th February and we have played several home games since that date so would hope to be higher when updated. Programme goes Digital ONLY 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

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www.northwoodfc.com

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CLUB MATTERS 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 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. 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. 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 [email protected] Under-18s – struggling on Wednesday nights Following their 4-3 win at Staines Town which was the midweek Under-18s first away win the Sportswik Isthmian Youth League for nearly two years, they have played two further away matches and unfortunately both on a Wednesday night when they struggle to put out their strongest side due to the boys’ college commitments. They were beaten 6-1 at Wealdstone and then, this week they were trounced 7-0 at Hendon on their artificial pitch. Then, a Monday night trip away at leaders Bedfont Sports on another artificial pitch ended in a 5-0 defeat. However, on Thursday night they returned home and also returned to some

form with a 3-3 draw 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. They are back in action again on Monday night with an away game at bottom club Ashford Town (Middlesex) and I’m sure your support would be very welcome. 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 (below) 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 Harefield United U-18s, Ruislip Rangers U-18s, Acton & Ealing Whistlers U-17s or Conquest U-18s. Groundshare – London Tigers FC The Tigers picked up a 1-1 draw in a home game against Oxhey Jets on Tuesday night. Their next home game is on Tuesday 3rd April when they take on Crawley Green with kick-off at 7.45p.m., following by London Colney two nights later on the 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 reached the quarter-final stage and the games are: Spelthorne Sports v. Broadfields United; AFC Hayes v. Hayes & Yeading United; Enfield Borough v. Hampton & Richmond Borough; Hanworth Villa v. Rayners Lane.

Alan

www.northwoodfc.com

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AFC DUNSTABLE 2 NORTHWOOD

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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.

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PHOTO by JAMES BROWN

MATCH REVIEW

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WELCOME TO

BEACONSFIELD TOWN hough Beaconsfield Town was only reT named last summer, the club’s roots of stem from Beaconsfield SYCOB which was founded

in 1994 following an amalgamation between Beaconsfield United and Slough Youth Centre Old Boys - hence the ‘SYCOB’ in the then club’s name. United dated back to 1921 and were themselves a coming together of two local teams. Initially competing in the Maidenhead League and then the Wycombe & District League they made steady progress that led to them joining the London Spartan League in 1979. A couple of promotions followed until they achieved their highest ever league placing with a sixth spot in the Premier Division in 1986. Slough Youth Centre formed their first football team in 1938 and entered the Slough & District Minors League. The advent of the Second World War meant that when many of the players returned from National Service they were no longer boys so hence the additional ‘Old Boys’ tag was added to their name. Stints in the Windsor, Slough & District League, the East Berkshire League and then the Chiltonian League saw them make solid progress on the pitch but off it, due to a lack of ground provisions, they were unable to advance further so sought a ground sharing agreement with Beaconsfield United at Holloways Park. With

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United themselves struggling on and off the field at the time the decision was taken to amalgamate the two clubs and so Beaconsfield SYCOB was born. Initially playing in the London Spartan Premier Division, and with Fred Deanus as chairman Beaconsfield chalked up a series of top five finishes before finally winning the league in 2000 / 01 under the guidance of Simon Delahunty. However they were refused promotion to the Isthmian League due to some harsh technicalities over the terms of their lease with Hall Barn Estates. A further three seasons were spent in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division before SYCOB again won the league in 2003-04 and this time gained promotion to the Southern Football League (Division One East). With a brand new clubhouse and a strong committee, The Rams made solid progress in their early years at Step Four and over three seasons played in three different leagues – Division One East, Division One West and finally Division One South & West from where they were relegated in 2006-07. However the appointment of ex-player Jamie Jarvis, ably assisted by Peter Scott and with Bob Breen as Chairman, saw The Rams not only win the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division at

the first attempt but also win the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy and the SML Premier Division Trophy, a fantastic treble of silverware. Promoted to Division One South & West, the club finished a highly creditable fourth place and made the play-offs before losing out to AFC Totton. Moving to the Southern League Midland Division for 2009-10 and with Fred Deanus returning as chairman, SYCOB then went through a succession of managers, players, highs and lows until finishing in bottom place in 2010-11. Only a reprieve and a league restructure saved The Rams from the drop but since then they have gone on to over achieve for a club of its size. Under the guidance of Byron Walton they finished fifth in the 2011-12 season and lost out in the play -off final to Bedworth United. The following season and with James Pritchard at the helm they again finished fifth but lost out to Rugby Town in a play-off semifinal though the season did finish with some silverware following a fine win over Chesham United in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup. 2013-14 saw Gary Meakin take over as manager just five days before the start of the season and with only five players on the clubs books – to finish eighth and reach the quarter-finals of the League Cup was a fine achievement as was a runners-up spot in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup, Chesham United gaining revenge for defeat twelve months earlier. The following season saw Beaconsfield begin a partnership with the FAB Academy who provided the bulk of the teams players under the stewardship of Andy Hurley and Nas Bashir. That partnership continued into 2015-16 season with Geoff Warner as manager as The Rams finished in a respectable ninth place whilst the 2016-17 season saw them under the joint stewardship of Andy Hurley and Leigh Wooldridge and ended with a 16th place league finish though a run to the Fourth Qualifying Round of the F.A. Cup was a ‘best ever’ for SYCOB. This season saw Gary Meakin return as manager of the newly-named Beaconsfield Town.

The Players JAMIE NORRIS – GOALKEEPER

A qualified football coach, Jamie played for the FA Under-18s and Surrey Schools sides as well as making well over 100 appearances for Egham Town, and also played for Farnborough.

BRENDAN HAZLETT – GOALKEEPER

Vastly experienced Brendon moved to The Rams in January 2018 from Northwood; he has in fact had four previous spells at Holloways Park and

is a reliable shot stopper. Other previous clubs include Loughborough University, Southam United, Stratford Town, Hendon and Harrow Borough.

JAMES TAYLOR – DEFENDER

James had a spell with Beaconsfield SYCOB in the 2016-17 season, making a good impression. He has now re-joined The Rams after a second spell at Hayes & Yeading, and also played for Maidenhead United.

JEROME ECCLESTON – DEFENDER

Jerome previously played at Southall, AFC Hayes and Egham Town, and can play at either full back or in the heart of the defence.

REECE YORKE – DEFENDER

Reece originally played for Beaconsfield SYCOB back in 2013 before joining Slough Town and then Egham Town, from whom he re-joined the club in December 2017. A former England Schoolboy international who has also played for Northwood (72 games), Barnet, Met Police, Burnham, St Albans City and Wealdstone.

LUKE NEVILLE – DEFENDER

Luke made well over 100 appearances for previous club Egham Town, where he was also captain, and is a leader on and off the pitch. Also played for Staines Town.

MICHAEL PEACOCK – DEFENDER

An experienced defender who made 74 appearances for Northwood and over 100 at Harrow Borough. Michael also played for Ashford Town and Hendon.

OMAR VASSELL – DEFENDER

Cousin of former England star Darius and an experienced, committed, reliable defender, Omar played 64 times for Northwood, and also appeared for North Greenford United, Hendon, Hayes & Yeading, Potters Bar Town and Slough Town.

JAMES ROGERS-OBEN – DEFENDER

James joined The Rams in November 2017 from Hendon, having played earlier in the season on dual registration for Chalfont St Peter. He has also played for Molesey, Southall and Woking.

CALLUM WEBB – DEFENDER

Callum was a youth player at Millwall and a regular in their Under 21 side, also having a loan spell at Kingstonian. He joined The Rams from Egham Town where he made  www.northwoodfc.com

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over 100 appearances.

JORDAN AJANLEKOKO – MIDFIELDER

Jordan won successive ‘Young Player Of The Season’ awards during his first spell at Beaconsfield SYCOB and was part of the side that won the Berks & Bucks Cup against Chesham United. His previous clubs include Wycombe Wanderers and Chelsea as a youngster, as well as Burnham and Egham Town.

ANDRE COSTA – FORWARD

SCOTT COUSINS – MIDFIELDER

A tricky winger who played over 50 times for Hendon, joining The Rams at the start of this season. He has also played for Uxbridge, Sutton United, Kingstonian, Edgware Town and Northwood (3 games).

WES DALY – MIDFIELDER

A recent addition to The Rams squad, Tony has this season been playing in Italy for A.S.A Citta Disiderno 1911. An established goal scorer at Step 4, Tony has also played for Slough Town, AFC Hayes and Chalfont St Peter.

CHARLIE LOSASSO – MIDFIELDER

The vastly experienced Kezie joined The Rams from Harlow Town in February 2018. He played League football with Yeovil as well many games in the Conference South; his previous clubs include Aylesbury United, Staines Town, Yeovil Town, Canvey Island, Chelmsford City, Ebbsfleet United, Farnborough, Basingstoke Town and Hendon.

A legend at Hendon for whom he played over 200 games, and was also a coach, Scott is the record appearance holder for the England six-a-side team. Started out at Chelsea and also played for St Albans City. Wes made nine first team appearances for QPR as well as helping AFC Wimbledon to two consecutive play-off semi-finals and playing over 100 games for Basingstoke Town. He also played for Raith Rovers, Bromley, Maidenhead United, Boreham Wood, Hemel Hempstead Town and Egham Town. Charlie was SYCOB’s ‘Player Of The Year’ for 2016-17 as well as top scorer. An attack minded midfielder, Charlie runs his own personal coaching business. He previously played for Reading youth, Salisbury, Whitehawk, AFC Bournemouth, Farnborough and Slough Town.

TONY MENDY – FORWARD

KEZIE IBE – FORWARD

DAN BROWN – FORWARD

AARON MINHAS – MIDFIELDER

Dan first made his name at Ashford Town, scoring 35 goals in two seasons, and has also played in the Conference South for Staines Town.

BAJRAM PASHAJ – MIDFIELDER

Tre scored on his Beaconsfield debut against Uxbridge in January 2018, joining The Rams from Aylesbury United for whom he had scored two goals against Beaconsfield just before Christmas 2017. He has also played for Hayes & Yeading United, Gosport Borough, Windsor, Staines Town, Burnham and Leatherhead.

Aaron has been with The Rams since the 2015-16 season. He is a regular in the Panjab national team and played for them in the summer 2016 in a tournament in Russia in which they finished runners-up. Previously at Windsor and Reading Town. Bajram joined The Rams in December 2017, making a goal scoring debut against Ashford Town. He originally played under Gary Meakin at Egham Town and joined from Harrow Borough, also playing at Staines Town.

NATHAN WEBB – MIDFIELDER

Nathan played in the Conference for Hayes & Yeading and also enjoyed stints at Farnborough and Wealdstone. A former Beaconsfield SYCOB player, he re-joined The Rams from Slough Town, where he played well over 100 games.

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ALEX CATHLINE – FORWARD

Alex has Southern League Premier Division experience with both Chesham United and Dunstable Town, and joined The Rams in November 2017. He has also played for Barton Rovers, Welling United, Enfield Town and Haringey Borough.


TRE MITFORD – FORWARD

GARY MEAKIN – MANAGER

Gary played for the likes of Northwood, North Greenford United, Hendon, Doncaster Rovers and Telford United before injury put paid to his playing career. He has previously managed at Hillingdon Borough, Northwood, Wingate & Finchley, Burnham and Egham Town, starting his second spell at Beaconsfield in June 2017.

MEMORABLE MEETING Saturday 2nd November 2013 Beaconsfield Sycob 0 Northwood 2

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he confidence that accompanies a winning side was in evidence in this game as the Woods notched their fifth consecutive victory with this battling victory over a Beaconsfield side that included eight former Northwood players. A strong wind made things difficult for both sides from the start and it was no surprise that there was a slow, cagey start by both sides. But it was the home club who created the better chances in those early stages eventually notching a shot on goal by John Christian which was deflected wide by a good challenge. From the resulting corner, Craig Carby’s header brought Sherman into action for the first time and he saved well. Having survived that brief onslaught, the Woods gradually worked their way into the game, gaining more possession and starting to threaten. After 24 minutes Murray played a neat ball through to the in-form Niko Muir who raced into the box but had his shot blocked for a corner. On 35 minutes Murray got on the end of a Joakim Ehui cross but was unable to get his shot away and the ball was scrambled away. Half-time was approaching when the Woods forced a corner and when knocked in by Murray, Burgess dummied at the near post and Steve Brown stole in to volley home from close-range.

Sherman chose correctly and dived across to make a fine save. It could have been game over when Oliyide beat Webb and raced into the box before cutting a ball back but Muir and Craig White got in each other’s way and neither managed to get a clear shot on the almost empty goal. Just a minute later Oliyide repeated the trick down the flank and this time went for goal himself but the ball crept just wide of the far post. Northwood were happy to try to counter on the break and one such chance fell to White as we raced clear but it came to nothing and by the end, Beaconsfield were simply left frustrated by the Woods hard-working display.

Buoyed by the half-time lead, the Woods continued to dominate the early stages of the second period with James Reading forced into a save by Oliyide on 48 minutes and then Northwood grabbed a second crucial goal six minutes later. George Nicholas was the architect, breaking forward from midfield and then feeding Ehui on the right. His cross came to Murray, who swept the ball clinically inside the post with Reading unable to react.

Beaconsfield: James Reading, Nathan Webb, Craig Carby, Brad Hewitt, Jordan Ajanlekoko, John Christian, Michael Lewis (J Hutchinson 57m)(James McCluskey 66m), Nathan Poulton, Brian Haule, Aaron Lansiquot (Bilal Butt 57m), Wayne O’Sullivan

Beaconsfield were soon gifted a chance to get back into the game as Burgess’s attempted clearance sliced up onto his arm and the Referee surprisingly pointed to the spot. Wayne O’Sullivan took responsibility for the penalty but

Northwood: Tomer Sherman, Ramil Sheriff, Oliver Sprague, Mark Burgess, Steve Brown, George Nicholas, Joakim Ehui, Craig White, Niko Muir, Michael Murray (Dave Lawrence 70m), Karl Oliyide 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


ON THIS DAY

2012

n this day in 2012, two goals from Jonathan Constant proved to be enough for Northwood to take the O Evo-Stik Southern League Central Division points against Barton Rovers in a battle between two playoffs aspirants, Gary Meakin’s side just edging it as 2-1 winners. Constant fired Woods ahead with a fine goal on 14 minutes, but it took just four minutes for the visitors to level. The next hour’s play proved to be extremely tight, and it looked as if the points were destined to be shared until Romaine Walker was upended in the box with six minutes left. Up stepped Jonathan Constant to crack home the spot-kick – pictured here – and the win was Northwood’s! Northwood: James Reading, Scott Raper, Lee Grant, Liam Fowler (Kwasi Frempong),, Reece Yorke, Warren Gladdy (Craig White), Wayne O’Sullivan, John Christian, Spencer Bellotti (Olly Hawkins), Jonathan Constant, Romaine Walker. www.northwoodfc.com

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Meet The 2018 PAT ADAMSON

Pat joined the Woods for the new 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 Isthmian side Soham Town Rangers last season and was establishing himself well in senior football before suffering a broken leg in November.

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 dualregistration loan at Rayners Lane.

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.

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.

ANDREW CAMILO-TAYACA

Andrew is on a work-experience loan from Leyton Orient; the 18-year-old defender is a second-year scholar with the National League club.

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.

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.

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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 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

Woods Squad who joined in the summer and will be looking to establish himself in the Woods new side this season.

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.

EVANS KOUASSI

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.

TOM MCDONNELL

22-year-old central midfielder who signed for the Woods having been playing in America for Chivas Florida Under-23s. Has previous experience at Eton Manor and Bishop’s Stortford.

MARK MCLEOD

Experienced midfielder who has joined the 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-yearold will be hoping to gain more experience in the second half of the season.

DECLAN NCHE

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.

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.

www.northwoodfc.com

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

2018 Woods Squad

HAKIM NYARIKI

Hakim is a former member of the successful Wingate & Finchley Under-18 side who joined the Woods this summer after a spell with Barnet. Still only 18, Hakim will be looking to earn a regular place in the match-day squad.

LEWIS OCHOA

Experienced 26-year-old midfielder who joined the Woods from Hanwell Town in October 2017 following a year with Harrow Borough. Started out with Brentford and has also seen service at Maidenhead United and Chalfont St Peter amongst others.

ONEIL ODOFIN

Tall defender who started out at Torquay United and has had spells with Whitehawk and Shoreham this season but the 21-year-old joined the Woods in January 2018.

JOE RUSSELL

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

DAVID TAYLOR

ISAAC OLORUNFEMI

Experienced midfielder who played for North Greenford United for several seasons before moving to Harrow Borough in 2016. Spent the summer playing in Australia before returning recently and signing on dual-registration with the Woods in December 2017.

JERMAINE OSEI

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. He joined them last summer from Luton Town Cedars.

SAM OYENIRAN

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.

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. 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. 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.

LEO PEDRO

Striker who joined Hendon from Bedfont & Feltham in the summer and at 22 he joined the Woods on dual registration in October 2017 to get some senior game time.

GEORGE ROBINSON

Young left-back who was drafted in from AFC Oaklands in September 2017 and at 20 had impressed with his hard-work and attitude.

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MARCUS ROSE

Experienced 27-year-old central defender who was with Arsenal and Barnet as a youth. He joined Maidenhead United in 2010 and played there for a couple of seasons while also appearing on loan at Beaconsfield and Harrow Borough. Marcus has spent the last two seasons playing for Ware.


SAM TRING

MESHACH WILLIAMS

DERNELL WYNTER

Speedy striker who joined the Woods in January 2018 on dual-registration from St. Albans City having joined from Braintree Town. Previously enjoyed two good seasons with Enfield Town.

JAKE HERACLEOUS – INTERIM MANAGER

Highly-respected coach Jake has been working most recently at Bishop’s Stortford but has also shown his skills with academies at Arsenal and Brentford, amongst others. He is currently acting as Interim Manager following the departure of the previous manager.

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

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NORTHWOOD UXBRIDGE

0 1

TUESDAY 6TH MARCH 2018 EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTH NORTHWOOD PARK

orthwood slipped to a stoppage-time defeat for the second game running as they conceded the N only goal of the game in the fourth minute of added time at home to local rivals Uxbridge, writes Robin Piper. Woods began in a confident manner with Evans Kouassi testing the visitors with a succession of jinking runs, but as so often has been the case in recent weeks, there was no one to apply the finish to the good approach work. Uxbridge were beginning to find some joy down Northwood’s right-hand side with Cole Brown making a number of forays into the home box but he shot high and wide of the target when well placed while Luke Maguire sent a shot from distance over the crossbar. But Woods continued to look threatening with Charley Barker and the lively lively Kouassi to the fore, the latter starting a slick move which saw Meshach Wiiliams getting on the end of Tom Gilbey’s cross but the closerange shot was blocked. And Kouassi was in the thick of it again as a run and shot was parried by goalkeeper Paul McCarthy, the rebound falling nicely to Osei who unfortunately stabbed the ball wide from six yards out. Uxbridge continued to offer a threat of their own as Hicham Abdellah combined with the overlapping Ben Peden, but his cross-shot flew across the face of goal before Woods keeper Xavi Comas was called upon to deal with a low shot from Brown. At the other end, Wilson Chingoka drew a save from McCarthy after more good work from Kouassi. Northwood were forced into a change on 41 minutes as Clarke succumbed to a back problem with substitute Andrew Camilo-Tayaca entering the fold and Oyeniran moving into a central attacking role. But Woods maintained their attacking momentum as Kouassi stung the hands of McCarthy with a rasping shot before Tayaca played in Oyeniran but his shot cleared the Uxbridge crossbar. However, it was the visitors who went closest to scoring before the half-time break as Comas produced a finger tip save to deny Brown before Dylan Kearney almost punished some hesitation in the home defence but his shot on the turn was off the target. Northwood were immediately on the attack after the restart as Williams’ shot from the edge of the box flew narrowly wide of the upright after Uxbridge failed to clear a corner. But it was the visitors who built on their strong finish to the first period as they enjoyed a spell of sustained pressure with Peden, Kevin Warner and Kearney all going close. Uxbridge were now looking the more cohesive unit and seeing plenty of the ball while Woods were looking increasingly short of ideas, Kearney once again finding himself in a good position but could only hook his shot wide of the Woods goal. However, Chingoka did find space in the Uxbridge box to have a couple of efforts on goal but his attempts were comfortably dealt with by McCarthy and the visitor’s rearguard. Former Northwood man James Burgess was introduced for Warner for the last twenty minutes to bolster the Uxbridge midfield and the visitors were looking increasingly dangerous with Maguire having a shot saved by Comas and Abdellah’s follow up shot being deflected for a corner. Femi Azeez was introduced for Osei to add fresh legs to the Woods attack with ten minutes left on the clock and the young striker had an early chance but his shot was saved by McCarthy. And Northwood made their final substitution as Hamilton Bunga replaced Chingoka as the hosts continued to look for that elusive goal. But it was Uxbridge who were carrying a greater threat with a series of swift attack as the match moved towards the closing stages, Abdellah, Brown and Kearney all spurning good opportunities. Northwood were growing increasingly anxious with Azeez picking up a caution for a silly foul. And Woods frustrations were complete as they conceded the crucial goal with almost the last kick of the game, Maguire bundling the ball home after getting on the end of Brown’s cross to condemn Northwood to a fourth defeat in five games.

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PHOTO by JAMES BROWN

MATCH REVIEW

www.northwoodfc.com

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TALKING POINT

From THE NON LEAGUE PAPER’s

ADAM ELLIS

R

estructuring of the National League System has been high on the agenda for non-League football over the last 18 months with extra divisions to be introduced at Step 3 and 4 from next season. It will take the current Pyramid to four divisions at Step 3 and seven at Step 4.

The Football Association have now released the provisional boundaries to give clubs and fans an idea of the changes. Head of National League System Laurence Jones and National League System Manager Matt Edkins, explain all. NLP: The changes have dominated the conversation for the best part of 18 months, but why now? LJ: The world we live in is changing. The reconfiguration and reduction in divisional sizes is designed to create a National League System that reflects the challenges this level of the game faces. There’s no silver bullet. An incredible amount of work has gone into this. There’s been a lot of consultation and discussion with a wide range of stakeholders involved in this level of the game. There are some common and consistent themes coming through around travel time, reducing cost, player availability – particularly around midweek football. We’ve listened to, and considered, all the feedback to look at how we can create this new structure. NLP: What were the challenges in putting this together? LJ: History is a challenge. Football doesn’t always embrace change but, inevitably when you’re introducing new divisions, there is going to be some movement. People have perhaps played in a certain league for many years and they are comfortable in that environment, I understand that. But the National League System is just that. It is a structured Pyramid of football that covers the whole of the country and there has to be fluidity to enable clubs to move up and down. The challenge is to look at the existing landscape and try to create a new one that doesn’t make too much change but meets the needs of the world we live in. NLP: Can you explain how the decisions for where the new divisions will be placed were made? ME: It’s important we have flexibility with the boundaries. At Step 4 we had a look at the key transport arteries. You have to start in the far north and work down the country. We looked at the Dartford Crossing in the Isthmian area. Historically it’s been very difficult if there’s a problem with the crossing – it’s very hard to get around it. So for that particular reason the decision was made to keep the divisions north and south of the river. There was a discussion around East Anglia and how that would fit in. There were alternatives but it was decided by the Leagues Committee that the boundaries we’ve put out are the best way forward. At Step 3, it’s often been dubbed as a Midlands Division – we feel that slightly differently and term it Central as it goes a bit wider than what you’d expect to call the midlands. That can all change depending on who gets promoted and relegated. We’ll know more in the coming weeks.

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NLP: You mentioned the Dartford Crossing and the M25 – three of the Step 4 leagues intersect it. That’s obviously quite deliberate? ME: What we’ve found – certainly in the two years since I’ve been here – is that people in the north don’t fully understand the challenges in the south and vice-versa. The committee have been very open and had those discussions to explain the problems in each part of the country. That’s been very productive. The Northern Premier League section of the map we’ve released will be split into two. The league will meet with their clubs to decide if they go with a north/south split or west/east. Technically the Leagues Committee has the final say, but I think the views of those affected will be appreciated when making a decision about their competition. There’s been lots of discussion about getting more teams from the Northern League, for example, and the feedback from when we went to meet them in December is it would make life easier for them with an east/west split. NLP: You’ve been very clear the boundaries put out this week aren’t set in stone. LJ: That’s a really important message. This is nothing more than a view at this stage of the season. Until the season is completed, nothing is or can be finalised. NLP: Why put this out now? ME: It’s to give everyone an idea. It is important we’re transparent and demonstrate to everyone involved in the game at this level, regardless of what role or discipline, that we’re all working towards making it better. LJ: The changes are to improve the National League System with players and clubs at the heart of it. One of the debates is, ‘What’s next?’ In an ideal world, as we’ve said before, we want to get to a pure Pyramid. We want to get to 1-2-4-8-16. We see this as part of that process. NLP: You’ve said this is a two-year trial, how will you monitor the success of these changes? LJ: When you introduce anything you should have a period of evaluation. We’re putting this in place and we will spend the next two years seeing how it’s working. If the outcomes are that it works 100 per cent, great. If the outcomes are it needs tweaking then we might have to tweak it. We have a real desire to get the eighth division at Step 4 in the future and then 16 at Step 5. We’ve got to make sure we’ve got enough clubs that can sustain the level required to populate those divisions, but that is the long-term vision. NLP: There is always huge discussion around the north-east, the area those divisions cover and travelling, do we have to be mindful of the how clubs are spread? LJ: We are talking about a structure that has 1,400 clubs. It’s important not to lose sight of how important it is to our game in this country. For all those clubs with a team in the National League System, they all have a lot of other teams playing open-age football or youth football. Everything we are trying to do is ensure the longevity of the National League System. ME: There is a lot of green space in the northern part and, like you say, there’s such a high population density in the south that probably warrants the amount of clubs. It’s a bit of a red herring to say there’s an imbalance in the north and the south – it’s just the make-up of population density. NLP: We’re eagerly waiting to find out how promotion (the super play-offs) and relegation will work between the Steps. Is there a timescale on that? ME: What we have to do is build up the regulations to support the structure. Regulations have to be agreed before the season starts and the process for that is at the May FA Council meeting. The drafted regulations are going through due process to be finalised and, once they are, we’ll make people aware. NLP: So, now we just have to see who finishes where. LJ: Once the Beast from the East clears, we can all start playing football again. It’s getting the season completed and then we start the allocation process. ME: We’re as prepped as we can be at this stage. Until the season is complete there is much that can change between now and then. www.northwoodfc.com

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Player Sponsors 2017-18

GORDON DAN BOATENG DAGGETT

Sponsored by

John Robertson

LEWIS HOBBS

LEWIS ANDREW PAOLO OCHOA CAMILO-TAJECO MONTELLA

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Available for sponsorship


Ken Green

SAM JACK HAMILTON OYENIRAN MCDONNELL BUNGA

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XAVI COMAS

KOJO MESHACH BRAD GYIMAH WILLIAMS HEWITT

HAKIM NYARIKI


Sponsored by

Trims for Men Northwood Hills

TOM GILBEY



Lee Whittaker

ISAAC WILSON PAT ADAMSON OLORUNFEMI CHINGOKA Available for sponsorship


Sponsored by

SAM TRING


Southern Territory (UK) Ltd


Sponsored by

Robin Piper

Southern Territory (UK) Ltd

NEBAY HARRY HAILE NEWMAN Available for sponsorship

Sponsored by

Tino Nannavecchia





DECLAN JERMAINE MARCUS NCHE OSEI ROSE Available for sponsorship

Sponsored by

Pete Reynolds

Sponsored by

Mark Bunting

Woods Roll Call 2017-18 including 23.3.18 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 22 2 12 1 1 2 0 14 0 0 1 0 3 1 5 21 12 18 26 1 8 23 0 2 13 2 4 3 1 0 1 26 1 2 15 15 17 2 3 1 6 5 3 6 0 8 4 0 1 17 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 10 5 0 0 6 0 5 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0

Cups apps

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League goals

Cup goals

Total goals

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5 11 5 2 1 5 4 6 11 4 6 34 3 12 1 2 2 2 14 2 6 11 1 3 1 6 26 14 21 29 1 12 28 1 2 22 2 8 4 1 10 8 27 1 10 17 21 18 2 3 2 9 7 4 6 1 8 4 3 1 21 2

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Northwood career apps goals

5 11 5 2 1 5 4 6 11 4 6 34 3 12 1 2 2 2 14 2 6 11 1 3 4 6 26 14 211 29 25 12 28 17 2 22 2 8 4 1 10 8 27 1 10 17 21 18 2 3 2 9 7 4 6 4 8 4 3 1 21 2

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Cards Y

R

1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 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 0 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

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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

seven of them at home and just four away. The Woods would really need to hit top form if they were to make a stab at the play-offs. And the first of those home games came on exactly ten years ago this weekend, on Saturday 8th March 2008 when Potters Bar Town came to Northwood Park for their first visit for a league fixture. Browsing through the programme for the match, we learned that the reserve side, playing in the Capital League for the first time, had enjoyed a top of the table clash at home to Dulwich Hamlet the previous week and extended their lead with a narrow 1-0 victory with Andrew Harewood scoring the important goal. The Under-18s midweek side had also reached the final of the Jeff Ritson Senior Youth Cup and were to take on Hillingdon Borough at North Greenford United FC in a week’s time. Several members of that side had played in the Middlesex County FA representative side a week earlier but they had bowed out with a 4-1 defeat. Colin Payne unveiled another new signing for the Potters Bar game in striker Sean Sonner who he had managed to entice to join the Woods from neighbours Harefield United where he had enjoyed a couple of prolific seasons. He went straight into the side which was missing skipper Adam Theo who, after a good season

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, after a 0-0 draw at in-form Aveley, the Woods had lost just twice (against the top two Dartford and AFC Sudbury) in seventeen matches and had secured a safe mid-table position. It was about carrying on that run and finishing as high in the table as possible. The 1-0 win at Wingate & Finchley left the Woods sixteen points off the play-off positions but twenty-five points clear of the relegation zone with eleven matches to play,

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only interrupted by a few injury and suspension issues, had decided to find a new club. Expectations were high for another victory bit

TEN YEARS AFTER it was Potters Bar who had the first chance of the afternoon as Dane Springer was denied by the legs of Mitch Swain before Junior Dadson miscued the rebound. The Woods were struggling to make and real impression in the opening quarter as they looked to break down a stubborn visitor’s rearguard. However, they gradually began to ask questions, Jerome Hall shooting past the far post from a tight angle while Danny Murphy’s low shot was parried by goalkeeper Tope Okeowo. The Woods continued to press and Sonner was denied his first Northwood goal when his header was cleared off the line but Northwood did manage to break the deadlock four minutes before the half-time break when John Christian recorded his first goal in Northwood colours, heading home at the far post following Michael Gordon’s jinking run and cross. The lead didn’t last long though as parity was restored on 56 minutes an unmarked Dadson converted Nathan Smith’s far post cross. There were few chances at both ends as the half continued though just before the end Christian almost got on the end of a Sonner cross and then Sonner volleyed narrowly over following Bradley Hewitt’s flick-on in the box. In the end, the 1-1 draw was a fair reflection on the afternoon. So, a few days later, it was the Under-18s who took the starring role in the Middlesex Senior Youth Cup Final against Hillingdon Borough. They had defeated Wealdstone, Uxbridge and Edgware Town in previous rounds and they got off to a cracking start. After just six minutes, Tyrone Durrant won a header in midfield which dropped to Jack Bennett some 25 yards out and he hit a first-time lob which had goalkeeper Elliott Marks well beaten. It was a short-lived

lead though as just six minutes later an attack down the right found a gap in the Woods defence and when Dan Power tried to clear it hit Nico Coleman and rebounded into the net to give Troy Roach in goal no chance. The rest of the half had plenty of entertainment despite the windy conditions. Aryan Tajbakhsh hit the bar direct from a corner, Bennett had a good strike well saved while Borough looked dangerous on the break and Roach had to save from Coleman on a couple of occasions.

However, the Woods, under the management of Jez Reilly and Phil Hatcher, raised the pace and their game after the break. Ollie Wright went close before the Woods were back in front after 58 minutes as Tajbakhsh was rewarded for some skilful play in the box when his angled shot took a deflection to give Marks no chance. A third goal followed on 69 minutes when another Tajbakhsh strike was deflected, this time into the path of Jamie Tompkins who rifled home to win the competition for Northwood for the very first time. The team was: Troy Roach, Dan Power, Frank Lynam, Jamie Tompkins, Nick Glenday, Tyrone Durrant, Ollie Wright (Aiden Lynam), Scott Purdue, Jake O’Meara (Courtney Francis), Aryan Tajbakhsh, Jack Bennett. Nowadays, Dan Power is playing for Colney Heath FC, Jamie Tompkins is a coach involved with Brentford Community Trust and Ascot United FC, Jack Bennett is starring for Southall FC while Aryan Tajbakhsh has made 14 appearances this season in Football League Two for Crawley Town. We will have more from everything Ten Years After in our next programme. www.northwoodfc.com

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EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTH, EAST

ROUND-UP

The gap at the top of the Evo-Stik League South East table is down to five points after Hayes & Yeading United moved into second spot following a hard-earned 1-0 win at leaders AFC Rushden & Diamonds on Tuesday evening.

TODAY’S FIXTURES Arlesey Town v AFC Dunstable Ashford Town v Barton Rovers Aylesbury v Hanwell Town Bedford Town v Moneyfields Cambridge City v Aylesbury United Hartley Wintney v AFC Rushden & D. Hayes & Yeading United v Uxbridge Kempston Rovers v Fleet Town Marlow v Chalfont St Peter Northwood v Beaconsfield Town Thame United v Egham Town

The majority in the crowd of 433 at Hayden Road left disappointed when the visitors’ goal a minute before half-time from former Spurs youngster Laste Dombaxe from 25 yards eventually proved decisive. In the second half, Ryan Robbins beat Hayes keeper Zaki Oualah with a fine strike but not the post and it was going to be `one of those night`s for Diamonds. Second-bottom Barton Rovers were hit for six at the New Eyrie by county neighbours Bedford Town. It was 3-0 at the break, with veteran Paul Benson opening the scoring after 26 minutes followed by James Peters on 39 minutes and Lee Roache 3 minutes later.

League table Including 23.3.18

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

AFC Rushden & D.

32

22

6

4

74

18

72

Hayes & Yeading

35

21

4

10

Beaconsfield

32

21

4

7

81 45

67

66

37

67

AFC Dunstable

33 19

8

Hartley Wintney

33

20

4

6

62

28

65

9

77

43

64

Chalfont St Peter

34 18

7

9

48

32

61

Cambridge City

31 18

Kempston Rovers

33 16

4

9

77

43

58

6

11

62

61

Bedford Town

34

54

16

5

13

51 43 53

Moneyfields

32 14

9

9

61 49 51

Thame United

32 16

3

13

57

53

Ashford Town

34 14

5

15

73

60

47

Uxbridge

34 13

5

16

52

67

44

Aylesbury United

35 13

4

18

35

60

43

Egham Town

33

11

7

15

44

68

40

Marlow

33

11

6

16

44

61

39

Northwood

34

8

10 16

43

56

34 29

51

Aylesbury

32

8

5

19

33

59

Fleet Town

34

6

9

19

34

72 27

Hanwell Town

30

7

4

19

33

55 25

Barton Rovers

33

5

8

20

29

69

23

Arlesey Town

33

2

5

26

31

88

11

Roache bagged his second and the Eagles fourth in the 56th minute, with Devante Stanley and Bradley Woods-Garness adding two more in the final few minutes. Thame United beat third-bottom Hanwell Town 3-1 at home, coming back from being a 10th minute Joe Chandiram penalty down to win, courtesy of Dan West after 33 minutes, Aston Goss 3 minutes later and Liam Tack a minute from time. Uxbridge and Egham Town shared a 1-1 Honeycroft draw in the evening`s other game in which Sarnies sub Brendan Matthew grabbed an 82nd minute equaliser after Dylan Kearney had broken the deadlock to give the Reds the lead on the hour-mark. LEADING GOALSCORERS Ryan Sharman Manny Duku Dan West Jermaine Hall Dylan Kearney Paul Hodges Lynton Goss Jake Newman Ryan Pennery Ben Farrell Jake Cass James Cottee Bernard Christie

Cambridge City Hayes & Yeading United Thame United AFC Dunstable Uxbridge Hartley Wintney Thame United Kempston Rovers Moneyfields AFC Rushden & Diamonds Chalfont St. Peter Ashford Town AFC Dunstable

27 25 22 20 20 17 17 17 14 13 13 13 13

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 Alomenu 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

86 51 89

17 17 17

Comas Comas Comas

Oyeniran Camilo Tajeco Camilo Tajeco

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

Away HOME Away HOME HOME Away


Result Gate

Lge. pos.

Opponents

Voss Voss Ayoub Voss Voss

Adamson Adamson Adamson 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

Gilbey Dickson Dickson

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

Taylor McLeod Taylor Chingoka

Chingoka Chingoka Chingoka

7/18 Hewitt Hewitt Hewitt Hewitt Boxer

Rose Rose Rose Hobbs Hobbs

Key: goalscorer own 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 Williams Abdollahi Chingoka Martin Chingoka Williams Hayden-Smith J McDonnell Kouassi Abdollahi

Hobbs Boxer Kousassi J McDonnell Williams Hobbs Chingoka T McDonnell Kouassi Williams Hobbs Kouassi Williams T McDonnell Chingoka Hobbs Hewitt Kouassi T McDonnell Williams Hobbs T McDonnell Kouassi Williams Rose Davies-Coker Hobbs Chingoka Hayden-Smith Walsh 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 J Osei J Osei

Martin Martin Kouassi Hayden-Smith Hayden-Smith

Newman Newman Martin Newman Gilbey

Gyiamah Boxer Martin Gurteen Martin Rose

Chingoka Kelly Kelly Doolan Doolan Williams

Antwi Nyariki

Williams Williams Gyimah Martin Martin Martin

Nche Nche Chingoka Olorunfemi Olorunfemi Chingoka

Hobbs Hobbs Hobbs Hobbs Hobbs

Hewitt Hewitt Hewitt Hewitt Ochoa

Ochoa Ochoa Ochoa Martin Chingoka

Hobbs Hobbs Hobbs Hobbs

Hewitt Hewitt Ochoa Hewitt

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

Newman Martin Alomenu Alomenu

Martin Olorunfemi Alomenu Taylor Newman Montella Martin Newman Montella Martin Newman Montella

Hatherly J McDonnell Taylor Hatherly Hatherly Williams Williams Hatherly

J Osei J Osei J Osei J Osei

Martin Martin Wynter Kouassi

Newman Olorunfemi Newman Olorunfemi Newman Olorunfemi Newman Montella

Chingoka Hobbs Hobbs Nyariki

Newman Olorunfemi Abdollahi Newman Newman Newman

J McDonnell Nyariki

Hobbs Pedro Nche Hewitt Hewitt Hewitt

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

Kouassi Kouassi Kouassi Kouassi Kouassi Kouassi

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

Hayden-Smith Martin Hayden-Smith Martin Hayden-Smith Newman Hayden-Smith Newman Hayden-Smith Newman Kouassi 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 Haile

Bunga Bunga Gilbey Gilbey Tring

Russell Tring Tring Tring Hobbs

Williams Olorunfemi Williams Williams Williams

Nyariki Hatherly Barker Barker Barker

J Osei J Osei Wynter Clarke J Osei

Kouassi Chingoka Kouassi Kouassi Kouassi

Newman Gilbey Newman Newman Olorunfemi

Hatherly Azeez Bunga Montella Montella

Haile Russell Azeez Nyariki Clarke

Montella Haile Nyriaki Nche Haile

Tring Gilbey Hobbs

Hobbs Tring Tring

Williams Williams Azeez

Barker Hobbs Russell

J Osei J Osei Oyeniran

Kouassi Kouassi Kouassi

Clarke Oyeniran Newman

Azeez Azeez Haile

Bunga Montella Montella

Camilo Tajeco

www.northwoodfc.com

31

The Squads NORTHWOOD

BEACONSFIELD

Acting Manager: Gordon Boateng Physio: Dan Daggett

Manager: Gary Meakin Coach: Greg Phillips

Kit: All red

Kit: Yellow & blue

XAVI COMAS

BRENDAN HAZLETT

ISAAC OLORUNFEMI

CALLUM WEBB

PAT ADAMSON

SCOTT COUSINS

SAM OYENIRAN

REECE YORKE

TOM GILBEY

LUKE NEVILLE

ANDREW CAMILO-TAYACA

WES DALY

SAM TRING

NATHAN WEBB

WILSON CHINGOKA ©

JORDAN AJANLEKOKO

LEWIS HOBBS

ALEX CATHLINE

BRAD HEWITT

LEE BARNEY

HAMILTON BUNGA

BAJRAM PASHAJ

HAKIM NYARIKI

ANDRE COSTA

MESHACH WILLIAMS

JAMES ROGERS-OBEN

JERMAINE OSEI

TONY MENDY

KOJO GYIMAH

KEZIE IBE

HARRY NEWMAN PAULO MONTELLA EVANS KOUASSI DECLAN NCHE NEBAY HAILE NED CLARKE DAVID TAYLOR FEMI HAZEEZ JOE RUSSELL KEIR DICKSON

The Officials REFEREE: Gavin Muge ASSISTANT: Jon Panconi ASSISTANT: Tom Ratheram