DIVISION ONE NORTH: Maldon Town 1 Northwood 0
Northwood's away day blues continued at Maldon Town where a solitary goal handed them their second defeat on the road in four days.
Colin Payne had been busy bolstering his injury-hit squad yet the new faces initially gelled well until Maldon went in front and the Woods ran out of ideas.
Rodney Hicks started on the left following his return from St Albans City, Danny Power replaced the injured Lee Holland at right-back and with Dwane Williams also missing through injury, Abdul Yoki partnered Otis Williams up front in a 4-4-2 line-up.
After suffering an early scare when Danny Murphy cleared James Robin-son's shot off the line, Northwood took the game to the hosts and Hicks almost marked his return with a goal but his downward header from Yoki's corner was cleared from under the crossbar.
Power enjoyed a steady game and he combined well with Michael Gordon whose cross presented Yoki with a free header but the striker put it wide and when Power and Gordon combined well once more with the over-lapping fullback bursting into the box, his shot was just off-target.
Northwood did not have it all their own way and Robinson broke through but shot into the side netting before Chris Day dragged his effort wide.
Back came the Woods and they dominated up to half-time with Michael Gordon a particular thorn in the side of the Maldon defence.
He created an opening for Williams but his shot was charged down and the Woods winger latched on to the rebound but was unable to keep his shot down.
Northwood went close once more when Gordon got hold of John Christ-ian's through ball but his cross was cleared before Yoki could pounce.
Anthony Page also headed over and Yoki rattled the bar with a fierce drive but the deserved goal did not arrive and the match turned two minutes into the second half when an uncharacteristic mistake from Richard Orlu presented Jack West with an easy chance, which he duly took. New signings Inih Effiong and Craig Mortimer were introduced for Hicks and Page and Rob Ursell replaced Williams, yet despite the fresh legs Northwood grew increasingly devoid of ideas in a disappointing second half performance.
Christian saw his shot comfortably saved by David McCartney and Effiong was not far away with a header from Gordon's cross but that was the sum total of Northwood's second half efforts. NORTHWOOD: Swain, Power, Murphy, Orlu, Burgess, Christian, Gordon, Hicks (Effiong), Williams (Ursell), Yoki, Page (Mortimer). Subs not used: Brown, Taj.
Goals, Maldon: West 47. Woods: None. Attendance: 76.
* FA Cup - sponsored by e.on
