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Whyteleafe went out of this competition rather tamely at the first hurdle, unable to maintain their excellent recent FA Cup and league form. The news before the game was not good with three players out and at least two more doubtful carrying injuries. In the end Northwood were easy winners and 'Leafe can be thankful the score was not a lot more.
Northwood went on the attack from the start and it was clear that with both strikers out, and the back four not fully fit, 'Leafe were going to be in for a torrid time with Northwood looking a very pacy outfit. Michael Gordon, a very lively winger, made a good run in the 7th minute, crossing to the unmarked Abdul Yaki, whose shot was blocked by Rob Tolfrey.
Robbie Smith had a good run down the right in the 11th minute, pulling the ball back from the byline, which keeper Mitch Swain grabbed at the second attempt. Three minutes later Sean Rivers attempt was deflected over the bar following a blocked shot from Richard Harris. The corner was played deep to Nicky Greene who shot over from 20 yards.
'Leafe gifted Northwood a 20th minute lead when an injured Ali Reeve lost the ball to Dwane Williams who found Otis Williams in front of goal and he made no mistake. Three minutes later Reeve was again caught by Sonner who found John Christian in space but he missed an open goal.
The visitors had a couple of chances to get back, Ronnie Green's shot from a Harris long throw was well saved and two minutes later, he had another effort saved following good work from Greene. Sonner missed another open goal in the 35th minute, then Swain had to make a good save from his own defender's header from a long Harris throw.
Sonner missed yet another easy chance in the 41st minute when Murphy's free kick found him in front of goal, but he shot wide. Two minutes later Tolfrey saved from another Murphy free kick. Just on half time, Swain made another good save from his own player, this time Gordon getting in the way of a Rivers header.
The second half starting as the first had finished, with Otis Williams shooting wide from an easy chance after 51 minutes. In the 61st minute Michael Riley's cross found Rivers in the box. His header was just retrieved at full stretch by Swain. Four minutes later Swain did well to get his fingertips to a Green Cross with the 'Leafe forwards queuing up to head home.
In the 70th minute Power missed yet another open goal, and a minute later Gordon was clean through but amazingly again missed the target. Northwood finally did score a second but it was only because it was gifted to them. A poor backpass from McNamara saw him, Broomhead and Tolfrey arguing over whose ball it was, allowing Otis Williams a free shot at goal which this time he found.
Williams still had time to miss two more easy chances, hitting the post in the 84th minute and the bar in the 90th. 'Leafe were well and truly beaten and can only be thankful that dreadful finishing from the hosts left the scoreline looking respectable.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Hudson (Riley 59), McNamara, Reeve, Broomhead, Kabongo, Green, Smith, Rivers 70, Harris, Greene (Gibbs 65).
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