Town "Doug" deep to edge out neighbouring Hammers

This week Woodley were at 'home' in the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup first round against Woodley Hammers. Due to Scours Lane being unavailable the game was played at Goals, home of Hammers.

Town started the game with a lot of possession and it wasn't long before they created their first chance. A Jason Awbery free kick on the left was whipped into the near post and striker Dominic Allen got his head on it but it sailed over. Hammers first chance fell to Rich Bennett whose shot from distance lacked power and was comfortably saved by Dan Smith. Moments later Hammers thought they had gone ahead. A powerful drive from a tight angle on the left beat Smith at his near post but it was ruled out for offside.

Twelve minutes gone and an Awbery corner on the right was headed over by Lemar Maycock, whilst at the other end Hammers Sam Guze's dangerous cross from the right whistled across the Town six yard box with no Hammers forward in sight. After Town dominating possession early on, Hammers started getting into the game. Town centre back Timon Douglin showed good positional sense to block an Aaron Brown shot mid-way through the first half and on twenty five minutes a powerful Adam Cashin-Murray drive was charged down by a Hammers defender. Town then had a decent chance to go ahead when a Cashin-Murray corner on the left was met by a Gary Smith header but it missed high and wide to the right.

Half an hour in a and a good Town move saw left midfielder Jack Hoad put in a cross from the left; with Dominic Allen waiting in the middle, a Hammers centre back nipped in ahead of the tall striker and cleared for a corner. Ten minutes before the break and a moment of genius from Bennett nearly put the visitors ahead. A clearance from the back dropped over his shoulder and sensing that the Town keeper might be off his line he caught a half volley beautifully with his left boot only to see his shot just drop over the bar. Hammers then should have been presented with a golden chance to go one up. With possession outside the box Guze made a darting run into the box, but the pass which would have seen the midfielder one on one with Smith was over hit.

Hammers then did go ahead two minutes before half time but it was a controversial goal. A well worked throw on the left found Brown unmarked on the penalty spot and he coolly fired past Smith into the left corner. Town were furious as they insisted it should have been their throw. That was the final chance of a disappointing half from Town and despite them dominating possession for large spells, Hammers goalie Jon Norris had yet to make a save.

Manager Damien Marshall made two changes at the break with Steven Campbell replacing Maycock up front and Carlton Cox coming into central midfield in place of Sam Barham.

Four minutes into the second half and a Cox shot from just outside the box was well blocked by a Hammers defender. Then Norris was called into action, brilliantly tipping wide a left footed Cashin-Murray shot from twenty two yards. Town's pressure continued when a good bit of play by Hoad saw him cut inside his full back and send Campbell in; the striker's shot went wide but the flag was up anyway.

A scare for Town happened after fifty five minutes when left back Doug Groves' headed back pass fell short of Smith in the Town goal. Jack Waller pounced on the chance but scuffed his shot wide of Smith's left post. Smith was then called into action when he easily saved a Hammers free kick. Twenty minutes into the second period and a superb Awbery corner evaded everyone. Awbery then had a go himself but his shot from outside the box was easily gathered by Norris. Minutes later Town made their final change. Hoad was replaced by Matt Molloy who slotted in at left back, with Groves moving to left wing.

A half chance then fell to Bennett, he nipped in ahead of Town skipper Gary Smith but skewed his chance to the left. With a quarter hour left Town got their equaliser. A quick free kick put Cashin-Murray through on the right who rounded Norris and calmly rolled the ball into the far corner. A very well taken goal and relief all round as Hammers are two divisions below Town. Minutes later and Town were presented with a golden opportunity to go ahead. Allen was bundled over in the box. Cashin- Murray stepped up to take the resultant penalty. His shot to the left was too close to Norris who saved well. That is three penalties that Town have had this season and three misses.

Eight minutes from time and a Groves cross from the left found Campbell. Just as he was about to pull the trigger the ball took a cruel bobble and bounced over the strikers foot. With four minutes left it looked like that bit of bad luck wouldn't prove costly as Cox tucked the ball home following a good knock down. Celebrations were to be put on hold though as the linesman's flag was up.

Town finally did get their second with a minute to go. An Awbery corner was flicked on at the near post and Doug Groves headed into the goal from a yard out. With the seconds counting down, Hammers nearly forced extra time when a shot from the edge of the box just missed to the left. That was the final chance of the game with Town coming out on top in the Woodley derby.

D. Smith, Gonzalez. Groves. Douglin, G Smith. Awbery, Maycock (12 Campbell), Cashin-Murray, Barham (Cox), Allen, Hoad (Molloy) Unused subs: Goddard & Fletcher