Chirstmas gifts in short supply at Northwood

Kevin Chakaodza and Dave Taylor lurk in the Northwood goalmouth

Ryman League Division 1North

Northwood 0

Edgware Town 0

Attendance 139

Christmas cheer was in short supply as the boxing day derby ended scoreless at Northwood Park this afternoon.

Edgware looked sharp from the kick off, Kevin Chakaodza and Adam Wallace linking up well and causing the Wood's defence problems in early forays

Edgware had a gilt edged chance on 14 minutes, new Wares arrival Dave Taylor hit the ball sweetly from just outside the area, the ball appeared to be goal bound, however it hit the upright of the crossbar, the trajectory taking it across to the far post without the ball crossing the line.

The home side probed for an opening but Ben Hayden marshalled his defence commendably, alongside Jason Fernee and Chirs Ingham.

Midway through the half Chakaodza spilled a chance from an acute angle after Wallace had played him in, and Johnny Moore saw his effort skim the crossbar.

Though the half ended scoreless the match was an intriguing contest with the visitors taking the game to the hosts and Woods hoping to hit the Wares on the counter.

The second period was much like the first, Edgware created chances that just lacked a final touch, the ball desperately going across the face of goal a number of times courtesy of fine work on the flanks from Denzil Davidson and former Woods player Gavin Hart.

Northwood looked to hit Edgware on the counter and Rob Blackburne had to be alert to Woods danger man Elliot Buchanan, making several good saves and catching the ball in the air well.

A last ditch move saw Davidson play the ball in from the right with Stuart Blackburne and Chakaodza unable to supply that deft touch which would have given the Wares the lead, as both sides had to settle for honours even.

Despite dropping 2pts and relinquishing top spot to AFC Sudbury, the Wares can take positives from their performance against a hard working Woods side who will cause many sides problems in the second period of the campaign.

The Wares miserly defence have only conceded 14 goals in 22 league matches, the best defensive record in 1 North to date.

Edgware now reside in 3rd place and are next in action on Saturday when they host Waltham Abbey, one of only two sides to have beaten Edgware in the league thus far.

Match rating 3 out of 5

MOTM Denzil Davidson, Made endless forays at the Northwood defence and supplied a number of well placed crosses on his return to a first team start.