Kidlington got back to winning ways on a glorious sunny if pretty windy afternoon at Yarnton Road Stadium, but we had to wait until the second half for some goals.

The first half was played at pace with chances at both ends, the first of these falling to The Wood’s Myles Stephenson in the 12th minute, from an acute angle Stephenson shot for goal but the ball cannoned off the near post.

On 22 minutes Lewis Coyle had the ball in the back of the Northwood net and for all intents and purposed it looked a very good goal however the play was brought back and an offside awarded!

Northwood weren’t a team who’d come into the match to just defend and from a corner James Budden headed for goal, The Green’s Jack Quainton watched it all the way and was able to head it off the line.

On the half hour Kidlington Keeper Bojan Tetek made and excellent save from Stephenson when he rushed from his goal to smother the strikers shot. Then late in the half a glorious cross form the left flank from Coyle gave Janes what looked a pretty decent chance from close range, but Janes got his shot all wrong and blasted his attempt over the bar.

It was 0-0 at the break but it really wasn’t for lack of effort from either team.

Early into this second half Kidlington substituted an out of sorts Mark Janes for youngster Callum Harvey. Harvey’s enthusiasm was evident from the off as he started to cause The Wood’s back line new problems.

However the game remained goalless until the 67th minute. Kidlington forced a corner on the right and from it Lewis Coyle floated over a brilliant ball which Tommy Castle met with a powerful header, the ball flew into the net and Kidlington led 1 – 0.

Kidlington now had the wind in their sails and only an absolutely brilliant save from Wood keeper Borja Loeches-Teixeira prevented Jack Dunmall making it 2 – 0 in the 72nd minute.

Soon after this action another Kidlington youngster was introduced to the fray. Harry Whitehead came onto replace Eric Odhiambo.

Next up another piece of wonderful skill saw Lewis Coyle hit a brilliant dipping shot from 25 yards out, keeper Loeches-Teixeira was beaten but the crossbar came to his rescue.

Late into the game and Northwood threw everything at Kidlington and were justifiably rewarded albeit in a fortuitous way, a shot from Malachy McGovern deflected off Myles Stephenson, this wrong footed Bojan Tatek and the ball spun into the net for 1 – 1.

Kidlington's Mark Flanagan received an injury and was substituted on 87 minutes with Ben Willoughby coming on to replace him.

After this Kidlington threw everything into attack and the endeavours of Harry Whitehead were justly rewarded, Whitehead sprinted to meet a through ball from Lewis Gabbidon just as visiting keeper Loeches-Teixeira raced from his goal. Whitehead's extra pace made the situation 50/50 and the ball looped up into the air, Jack Dunmall managed to control it with his back to goal and instantaneously flicked it back over his shoulder toward goal. The ball flew high into the air and into the far corner of the net with Loeches-Teixeira left in no man’s land, so now 2 – 1 to The Greens right on 90 minutes.

We played through around 5 minutes of added time but there was no way back for the visitors and Kidlington held firm.

Northwood belied their lowly position in the league and certainly gave a good account of themselves, however Kidlington always looked to have that certain little bit extra where it counts and that was just enough to win the 3 points. I must put out a special shout for The Green’s two full backs Jack Quainton and Tommy Castle who both had excellent matches against tricky opposition.

Kidlington - Tetek, Quainton, Castle, Flanagan ( Willoughby 87 mins), Franklin, Gabbidon, Coyle, Osbourne-Ricketts, Dunmall, E.Odhiambo (Whitehead 72 mins), Janes (Harvey 57 mins). Sub Not Used - Caffarello.

Attn - 68
Match - Rating 4/5
Motm – Jack Quainton (Kidlington)

COYG