Another Cup Exit at the hands of YMCA

After discovering less than two hours before kick off that five players who had confirmed availability were a "no show", the selection team got busy finding cover, calling up Omar Cofie and Jim Davies from the other teams and drafting in Marcus Guest and Max Brown from the Under 18s. Also, Lee Wheeler made himself available to play at very short notice.

Considering the changes, the eleven on the pitch made a decent start keeping YMCA at bay, barring a couple of half chances for Ryan Adams. However, a fine strike from Callum McCulloch from the edge of the box put the away side ahead twenty minutes in.

Johnny Adey doubled the lead ten minutes later cleverly lobbing the keeper when taking advantage of a defence that was squeezing out of its box, though he did look suspiciously offside.

YMCA continued to look dangerous and a fine strike hit the upright and, on the rebound, Richard Wilkinson was fouled as the YMCA strikers tried to poach a third.

Throughout the first half, Woodley Town played with great commitment and Max Brown, who slotted in at left back, was very effective closing down and distributing down the left wing.

Up front JC Trigueiro had another frustrating thirty minutes and was replaced by Lee Wheeler with Lemar Maycock becoming the sole striker.

At half time, the not fully fit Jim Davies made way for Omar Cofie, with Dan Watkiss taking over at centre half.

The second half proved a more even affair with both Cofie and Maycock giving YMCA defenders plenty to think about. However, YMCA put together a great move on 65 minutes, Matt Drake applying the finishing touch. Wilkinson then made a fine save to deny an immediate fourth with the defence in tatters.

Stuart Hamblin changed the formation to 4:4:2 to apply some pressure and this seemed to work well. In the 75th minute, Cofie broke free and his shot/cross struck the top of the bar. The follow up was well controlled by Maycock who spun the defender but was tripped in the box. The penalty was duly awarded and Mike Alleyne stepped up to make it 1-3.

Unfortunately, immediately after the goal, the Woodley defence switched off and Matt Drake took advantage nipping in to score his second and YMCA's fourth.

Three minutes later a superb cross from Chace Jewell was deflected by the unlucky Cofie on to the post and Maycock blasted the rebound over from just a few yards out.

With just minutes to go, the away side added a fifth through Ryan Adams with a simple free kick/header move which should have been better defended. There was still time for Woodley to close the scoring when Dan Watkiss came forward to take a long throw. Mike Alleyne nodded it on and Maycock arrived at the back post to finish comfortably.

Although an improved performance and finally registering goals, Woodley Town still have a way to go to recover the form that won consecutive matches against Didcot and Finchampstead earlier in the season. This Tuesday sees the return match v Didcot Town which will be a amssive six pointer.