TT No.107: Stephen Harris - Tues 6 November 2007; FA Trophy 2Q Rd Replay; Northwood v AFC Hornchurch. Result: 2-1; Att: 110.  Admission £8; Programme issued; FGIF Match rating 3*

Last night’s fixture list threw up a wide range of possibilities for me and this Trophy replay at Northwood looked the most promising for a good competitive game. Northwood Park is an easy venue to reach, lying close to Northwood Hills station on the Metropolitan tube Line, although annoyingly you have to walk around three sides of a long rectangle from the station to approach the ground. Despite this accessibility, I see that it is nearly 14 years since I last went there. The ground boasts a gently sloping pitch, covered tonight in fallen leaves from the surrounding parkland. The turf is enclosed by a solid, cladding fence and a concrete walkway. Most spectator facilities are on the west side where there are around 200 red, plastic seats arranged in three little, adjoining stands – only one of which I think had been present on my last visit. Alongside is the turnstile block and the tea bar where I endangered my health with a particularly nasty burger, only to later find that a tasty-looking range of pies and pasties are available from within the clubhouse! This clubhouse, along with the dressing rooms, is outside the ground in the north-east corner. The north end has two terrace steps, covered along its entire width and there is a further short stretch of covered standing at the north end of the east side. The remainder of the ground is undeveloped, although the programme made reference to unspecified forthcoming ground developments. The disappointingly small crowd arranged itself all around the ground on this reasonably mild evening. Hornchurch looked much the stronger side on paper and I positioned myself well toward the end they were attacking. But it was clear that the home side were the more “up-for-it” and I soon shifted myself down the slope a little toward the goal Northwood were attacking. In fact the first half was fairly incident free, the home ‘keeper’s save from a well-taken Joey “Little Legs” Keith penalty being the main excitement. The second half was another matter with concerted attack from Northwood who went 2-0 up with a couple of good goals. The Urchins finally woke up for the last fifteen minutes but could not do enough to draw level. A well-deserved win for the underdogs here. The Northwood match programme was well-reviewed in one of last Sunday’s Non League newspapers and I agree with the favourable comments given. A very good read and well presented, although a little pricy for this level at £2.

contributed on 07/11/07