WOKINGHAM were brought back down to earth on Wednesday night after their opening day 3-1 victory at Berkhamstead.
In a display that lacked goalmouth penetration, as the meagre total of just four shots on goal in the entire 90 minutes proves, they were on the wrong end of a 1-3 scoreline at Stag Meadow.
Town got off to the worst possible start after barely 100 seconds when Gell's strike from 18 yards skidded along the rain-softened turf and beat 'keeper Nathan Freeman in the bottom right hand corner.
After soaking up Northwood pressure, Town went further behind after 18 minutes when Fitzgerald rose higher than Alex Leacock inside the area and headed home past Freeman.
Town were guilty of giving up the ball too cheaply, and seemed unable to penetrate the Northwood defence. The Wokingham wing backs were finding it difficult to get forward and Dave Puckett was also not getting on the ball as often as he would of liked.
On the half hour, Town had justifiable penalty claims waved away by referee Street when Eurshell Fearon was felled by 'keeper Riordan inside the area. It was a definate penalty, and the referees descision only incensed the fans. Fearon ran to shout at the linesman who was nearly on top of the incident and Wokingham supporters came close to scaling the pitchside barriers to vent their anger against the ref. Disgusting descision.
Minutes later, the same Town striker had a perfect chance to make amends when sneaking unchallened behind the visiting defence, only for his headed effort to go wide.
Dave Puckett pulled Town back into the game on 35 minutes when, after a pass from Paul Odey, his shot from the edge of the area beat Riordan and found the top corner of the net. Another wonder goal from Town !
The second 45 minutes proved to be pretty much an even contest, with goal scoring chances few and far between.
Nick Campbell caused problems for the Northwood defence on his occasions runs down the right, and the introduction of debutant Vince Rusher gave Town added venom on the left. Fans could tell that Rusher would be useful even before he came on, white boots are a givaway for a skillful player.
On 77 minutes, Fearon should have levelled when his shot hit the post, and substitute Craig Wall had what appeared to be an easy opportunity to slot home into an empty net from five yards, but his effort went high and wide.
Three minutes from time, Town were given no way back when Freeman was unable to clear a Yeoman attack, leaving the Northwood midfielder to round the 'keeper and slot the ball home.
A very disappointing result that was perhaps down to the tactics of the opposition rather than the sloppy play of the Wokingham players. It is vital Town bounce back on sunday in the important FA Cup clash.
Website man of the match : Alex Leacock