NORTHWOOD'S new boss Mark Barnham has insisted he can still lead his side into the Ryman Division One North play-offs after the double blow of striking pair Eugene Ofori and Scott Orphanou leaving the club.

Barnham has taken over the reins at Chestnut Avenue in the wake of David Anderson's resignation last week and he has made an impressive start with two league victories out of two since his appointment.

Anderson's departure came after the club's playing budget was drastically cut with top scorer Ofori and fellow striker Orphanou following him out of the exit door.

But Barnham has denied that there will be a mass exodus of players from his club and he believes that young players like Will Hudson, who scored his first senior goal in Saturday's 2-1 win over Harlow Town, will signal a bright future for Northwood.

“If we can keep the squad together within the financial restrictions that we have then we have got a chance of getting in the play-offs,” he said. “At the moment, most of the squad seem to want to stay.

“We have three or four players in the reserves that we were not going to push this season, but now after what has happened we will put them into the first-team squad and give them a chance.

“I think we can have a very bright future here with the youngsters that we have coming through, but I will be disappointed if we do not come in the top-six this season.”