DIVISION ONE NORTH Northwood 2 Ware 1
Striker Kyle Matthews marked the start of his third spell with Northwood with the winning goal as the Woods replaced opponents Ware in the play-off places.
Matthews added to Staforde Palmer's opener as the Woods made it six wins out of eight unbeaten games in the league and sneaked into fifth spot, above Ware on goal difference.
Palmer, on loan from Hayes & Yeading United, had earlier made it four goals in two games as Northwood won 2-1 against the side that made a blistering start to the campaign but which has been through traumatic times in recent weeks with the loss of their manager and most of their highly-rated team.
Northwood Park passed a morning inspection and the hosts settled quickly, Michael Gordon testing Ifeamvi Agu with an early effort before Palmer rifled home a 16th minute opener, following Brad Hewitt's deft header.
Three minutes later it was almost 2-0 but Matthews headed a Danny Brown cross over and instead Ware equalised when Mitch Swain, Gary Meakin and Hewitt all combined to allow Daniel Lodge a free shot at goal and although he missed the target, Darryl Wilson was on hand to steer the ball home.
Hewitt almost headed into his own net and Wilson drove another shot straight at Swain as Ware came on strongly but late in the half Dwane Williams was not far away with a good strike and Michael Peacock headed over from a good position, before they regained the lead in the 42nd minute.
Gordon played a corner short to Meakin and when his cross was nodded down by Hewitt, Matthews pounced.
Ware rallied again after the break and Swain made a good save from Kyri Kyriagou but after that initial threat the visitors made few in-roads into a more solid Northwood defence.
At the other end Agu needed to be at his best to deny Palmer from close range after Hewitt again caused problems at a corner, another good run from Danny Power saw him cut the ball back for Matthews whose shot was deflected wide and Power repeated that although this time Matthews hooked just over.
As the pitch began to freeze over Hewitt, Palmer and Matthews all threatened to score a third goal but they had already done enough to record a seventh successive home win in all competitions.
Power, Burgess, Peacock, Hewitt, Gordon, Brown, Palmer, Williams, Matthews. Subs. not used: Purdue, Walters, Hunt, Pearce. Goals, Woods: Palmer 16; Matthews 42. Ware: Wilson 24. Attendance: 176.
* Teenage striker Otis Williams has gone to play for Southern League outfit Bracknell Town on a dual registration basis, with manager Dave Anderson deciding he has enough cover in the shape of loan signing Staforde Palmer and Rob Ursell.
