Matches

'STIMMO' SAVES THE DAY by Carol Smith-Allen

After being defeated by Sutton United at their place on Saturday, most Blue’s fans were hoping that this would prove to be a much easier match, and one in which we would take all three points, especially as Northwood came into this game on the back of two defeats and a draw.

The first fifteen minutes were very slow, and rather scrappy, with neither team looking anything special. However, there were a few scoring chances for both teams, with Blue’s first on 11 minutes when Stuart Thurgood beat their defence only to see his shot go just wide, and Northwood’s on 19 minutes when the ball was heading for goal, but was sent wide by the Blue’s defence.

After 25 minutes Blue’s started to get into the game a bit more, and on 32 minutes, Blue’s had their best chance of the half, when Freddie Eastwood’s goal bound shot was tipped over by Rob Bullivant for a corner. Blue’s again came close when an accurate pass from Danny Hazledene met Ranbir Marwa, whose shot was just over.

Just before half-time Northwood could have gone one up, but for a fine save by Mel Capleton. It has to be said that the Blue’s defence, without Steve Robinson, were looking very shaky, and for the most leaving Mel Capleton with a lot of work to do.

To say the second half was more eventful would be an understatement. It started in a much more lively fashion, with the Blue’s having a corner, a shot by Eddie Youds which was tipped over and then another corner all in the first 3 minutes of play. Then on 49 minutes poor defending allowed Danny Yeoman to tap in the ball giving Northwood the lead, and when things seemed like they couldn’t get much worse, they did; a few minutes later Blue’s were down to ten men, when having committed a foul, Eddie Youds was judged to have been the last man and therefore sent off. This then prompted Mark Stimson to make, what was probably the best move of the match, when he substituted Danny Hazeldene and brought himself on.

After a short period of looking unsettled, Blue’s then began to take control, getting forward more, and looking for that equalising goal, which they nearly got on 67 minutes when an excellent strike by Freddie Eastwood saw Northwood’s goalkeeper having to save at full stretch. A save on 77 minutes by Mel Capleton kept Blue’s in the game, and their determination finally paid off on 87 minutes when Mark Stimson scored his first goal for the Club, with a header which beat Rob Bullivant.

With Blue’s fans now relieved at having at least got a point from this match, it happened; on 93 minutes, Freddie Eastwood collected the ball from a Mark Stimson pass, kept his cool, took the ball around Rob Bullivant, and struck a low-shot into the back of the net. The Rec erupted; the fans were going absolutely crazy with delight!!

To be fair to Northwood they deserved to get a point from this match, and I doubt I am very far from the mark, in thinking that they went away feeling they had been robbed. However, Blue’s battled well when down to ten men, and to turn the game around when the chips were down is certainly an achievement.

Your comments

Northwood i thought were walking away with the 3 points then when StiMmo came on and The Rec all chanted 'STIMMO !!! STIMMO !!!' i had a feeling something big was to happen and on 87 minutes it did, a brilliant ball put Stimmo (offside?!?!) through to head home to salvage a point, i went ballistic and so did The Rec but little did i, or The Rec, know they were going to go absolutly, totally, 100% nuts because on 93 minutes that man Freddie 'Goal Machine' Eastwood took the ball cooly as you like round Northwood keeper Rob Bullivant and sloted home, jackpot, 3 points, 'nuff said.

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