Woodley Town 1 Tytherington Rocks 3

Town enjoyed a rare break from the league but faced top of the Hellenic Division 1 West table, Tytherington Rocks, in the first round of the Bluefin Challenge Cup.

In a competitive opening ten minutes, Woodley enjoyed some decent possession. A deft touch from Mike Alleyne from a throw in put Iain Graham away and his delightful through pass reached Gareth Davies who shot low and hard with his left foot, the ball just going wide of the keper's left hand post.

At the other end, Woodley's recent problem with opposition corners continued as Lee Wheeler cleared off the line from a header. A minute later and Woodley had the ball in the net through Mike Alleyne's header from a superb Iain Graham cross. Unfortunately, the assistant referee ruled Alleyne offside.

As the first half wore on, so the Rocks' number 9, Tom Andrews, started to dominate with Craig Blissett given a torrid time. His pace and trickery set up Toby Colbourne in front of goal but the shot was sliced badly and the chance was gone. Soon the Rocks were back in the box and this time a shot cross from the right wing was spilled by Ben Tanner and Colbourne side-footed home to take the lead.

Barely a minute had elapsed when the away side won a corner and, with the defence slow to react, it was taken short and then whipped in to the six yard area where Andrews leapt highest to turn the ball in to the net.

Now 2-0 down, the home side rallied and Gareth Davies ran into the box and shot wide with the bench calling for a penalty because the defender's hands seemed to be pulling Davies's shirt.

At half time, Jonny Lamb and Blissett were replaced by Jordan Goddard and Chace Jewell, the latter making his debut for Woodley.

The introduction of Jewell seemed to galvanise Town as he started to run at defenders with pace and agility. On 62 minutes, Woodley Town deservedly pulled a goal back. The move started in Town's half with neat interplay between Lee Wheeler and Iain Graham. The ball was moved sideways to Alleyne who fired a terrific forty yard diagonal pass to Jewell whose first time touch set up his left foot shot across the keeper and into the net.

Just three minutes later Jewell picked up a groin injury but, as Lemar Maycock had already replaced Omar Cofie, he was unable to be subbed and battled on bravely for six minutes before having to leave the field of play. This proved to be a decisive blow for Town. Apart from a run from Maycock, when he was cynically brought down and a fizzing Alleyne free kick that the keeper spilled, Woodley didn't look like getting an equalizer.

With two minutes of added time already gone, Tytherington Rocks sealed the tie with a headed goal from a free kick on the right, scored again by Colbourne.

Next week sees Town play a B+B Cup match at local rivals, Reading YMCA.

Squad: Tanner, Wheeler, J. Davies, Lamb (Jewell), Pheby, Blissett (Goddard), Graham, Watkiss, Cofie (Maycock), Alleyne (c), G. Davies unused Subs: King, Smith