EVO-STIK SOUTHERN ONE, EAST
SATURDAY 6 JANUARY 2018
EGHAM TOWN 2 (0) NORTHWOOD 2 (1)
Matty Woods (48), Brendan Matthew (74) : Wilson Chingoka (20), Mahlondo Martin (89).

Egham Town lost two points in a match they should have had sewn up after recovering from a dire first half display. The Sarnies had played twice, in consecutive matches, at Northwood in September, winning 3-1 in the bigfreebet.com Challenge Cup and 1-0 in the League. All four goals were scored by former Norwood man Ryan Debattista, but he was on the bench – and stayed there. With both sides sitting in mid-table, 12th hosting 16th, and with a place in the promotion shake-up looking increasingly like a nice dream rather than a robust reality. For the dream to turn to reality Egham need to be much better than this. The first half was rubbish, from both sides, the only highlight being a low point for the hosts as Wilson Chingoka was given room to advance and finish, putting Chris Moore’s side behind after 20 minutes. Moore, home skipper Louis Stead, defender Lewis Cole and midfielder Danny Julienne all played for Northwood. One visiting fan asked after Reece Yorke; he hadn’t heard the news. Once they had taken the lead it was clear that Northwood’s intention was to hold on to what they had, evidenced by the theatricality of keeper Xavi Comas’ reaction to a slight brush with Matty Woods. The Sarnies’ striker was providing the most tangible threat to the Middlesex team, his tireless running keeping their defenders on their toes. It was fitting then that he was the one to penetrate that back line, three minutes into the second half. Cole swung a corner in, Stead flicked a header helpfully towards goal and Woods scored for the first time at Runnymede Stadium after five goals on the road. In the 55th minute Stead advanced to the edge of the area, but seemed caught in several minds. He could have unleashed one of his powerful shots but chose not to, but Northwood’s defence did not clear the ball and Woods, on the deck, tried an overhead kick that Comas held. Then the home side suddenly clicked, Stead showing the power in his boots with a howitzer that deserved better than finding the bar. Callum Webb hammered the rebound goalwards but his shot was headed off the line, and the pressure ended when, from Webb’s cross, Matthew headed wide. In the 74th minute Egham finally took the lead. Woods, comfortably Man of the Match, refused to let Matt Hall have the time to clear the ball, and won possession before playing the ball across for Matthew, curiously free of markers a yard from goal. The Sarnies’ leading scorer’s first touch looked a tad untidy but did not prevent him tapping the ball over the line. That should have been three points sewn up. Then, reminiscent of the away game at Ramsgate, and at home to Marlow, Uxbridge and Thame United, not seeing the game out cost them. Northwood’s Mahlondo Martin had shown some excellent skills throughout the game so perhaps deserved his 89th minute goal after good approach play, but stauncher defending would surely have seen all three points - and another “treble” after beating Hanwell Town thrice – safely pocketed.
Either side of the trip to Bedford Town next Saturday, Egham have two games against Hayes & Yeading United. The first, this Tuesday, is in the bigfreebet.com Challenge Cup 3rd round, then, on Tuesday week, they revisit for a league match.
EGHAM TOWN: Aaron Bufton, Alex Nolan, Lewis Cole, Devante McKain, Mitchell Wiseman, Rhys Paul, Danny Julienne, Louis Stead, Brendan Matthew, Matty Woods, Callum Webb. Substitutes: Wayne Carter, Liam Tack, Aaron Jewell, Jordan Frederick, Ryan Debattista. No subs used.