Northwood put their FA Cup disappointment behind them as they produced a five-star performance with a convincing 5-0 win over struggling Staines Town despite playing the majority of the game with ten men.

The hosts saw Gradi Milenge sent off in the 26th minute, but by that stage they were 2-0 in front and they went on to score a further three times to secure their first victory of the season in the Isthmian League South Central Division.

Woods manager Ben Murray made a number of changes to his starting starting line-up following the FA Cup defeat to Chichester City, with Joakim Ehui standing in for injured brother Ismael up front while there was also a return for Matteo Esposito in place of Ezekiel Williams.

The defence also had a new look with Hayes and Yeading loanee Adam Cash coming in for Ryan Avery at right-back while there was also a debut for left-back Juan Pablo Gonzalez-Velasco, who had spent pre-season with Northwood but had been turning out for Hendon.

Staines made the better start by forcing a couple of early corners and Rhys Paul should have given the visitors the lead when through on goal, but he dragged his shot wide of the far post.

Watford Observer:

Woods took control midway through the first half

But it was Northwood who gained the upper hand as they scored two goals in four minutes.

Cash was the instigator as he combined with Matt Ayres who fed Shakeel Morris and, after his shot hit the upright, Ehui converted the loose ball to open the scoring on 21 minutes.

The lead was quickly doubled after a slick move with Esposito freed Cash who played a neat one-two with Ehui before calming slotting the ball beyond former Northwood keeper Joe Ringer.

However, Woods' mood suddenly changed on 26 minutes as they were reduced to ten men after last man Milenge found himself the wrong side of Noah Amissah and after both players tussled and fell to the ground, the referee produced a red card for the Northwood man.

Woods had to reorganise with Esposito making way for defender Matt Surmon and a reinvigorated Staines twice went close with a couple of headers from Paul, but the home defence stood firm.

Having withstood the initial test, Woods increased their advantage before half time with a third goal on 42 minutes when Declan Nche set up Morris on the edge of the box and his instinctive, low shot proved too strong for Ringer.

Watford Observer:

Shakeel Morris fires in the third goal

The hosts continued to take the game to the Swans after the break, with Cash shooting narrowly over and Ayres seeing his shot tipped over the crossbar by Ringer. At the other end, Montel Joseph had to be at his best as the Woods custodian kept out a snapshot from substitute Athan Smith-Joseph, before also denying Sheridan Campbell and Amissah.

However, debutant Mo Shanoun was beginning to make an impression for Woods after coming off the bench, pulling his shot wide after a good move involving Leo Decabo and Cash before another strong run from the substitute ended with a shot flying wide of the target.

Watford Observer:

Leo Decabo converts from 12 yards to make it 4-0

With Staines having accepted their fate and the contest into the third minute of stoppage time, Shanoun was tripped in the box and Decabo made no mistake from the spot to score his first Northwood goal.

And there was still time for Shanoun to open his account as he made it 5-0 in the fifth minute of added time to cap a superb afternoon for the home side.

Northwood will be aiming to build on this result when they travel to Marlow tomorrow.

Watford Observer:

Mo Shanoun completes a fine afternoon's work for Woods