Woodley lose out to very good Bracknell side

Woodley went into their game at Bracknell Town on Tuesday evening hoping for a cup upset and in the process advance to round four of the Bluefin Sports Supplementary Challenge Cup. Unfortunately the Hellenic Premier side were just too strong on the night and United were knocked out.

The home side started well creating several half chances in the opening stages. Adam Cornell dragged his shot wide before Woodley keeper Ben Hitchins denied James Suarez. Eight minutes in Bracknell went ahead when Ben Poynter curled in a shot from just outside the box.

United created their first chance after fifteen minutes; Luke Nichols shot was blocked after Bracknell half cleared a corner. Moments later George Douglas forced Gary Aulsberry in the home goal into a routine save.

Town continued to dominate possession, looking dangerous when ever they got into the final third. Suarez forced Hitchins into a decent stop diving to his left before the hosts doubled their lead on twenty seven minutes when Declan Kirby headed in a Suarez corner.

Eight minutes before the break Bracknell increased their lead when a low shot by Cornell beat Hitchins. More Bracknell pressure followed; a nice move ended with a powerful Kirby shot well saved.

HT Bracknell Town 3-0 Woodley United

Due to knocks Woodley made a double change before the second half got under way. Tyrone May and Rupen Limbu were replaced by Andy Herbert and Tom Peterson who were making their first appearances in a Woodley shirt.

United carved out the first chance since the restart; a well hit Nichols shot was straight at Aulsberry. At the other end Bracknell got another when Cornell was tripped in the box; ex Woodley man Carl Davies made no mistake from the spot with a low shot into the right corner.

Looking for a consolation Woodley pressed on. Picking up the ball on the half way line and riding a few tackles Nichols saw his shot from distance go wide. Just past the hour United got on the scoresheet with the goal of the game. Winning the ball back in Bracknell territory Tim Green sent Nichols clear who thumped home from just inside the box.

Sixty seconds later Bracknell came within inches of restoring their four goal cushion when a Lee Rushe header clipped the top of the bar. At the other end Peterson shot over after picking up a Matt Lambert pull back.

With nineteen minutes left an unmarked Cornell got his second when he headed in a right wing corner. Before kicking off Woodley made their final change; Jez West came on for George Douglas.

Ten minutes to go both sides traded shots. A well struck Nichols effort clipped a red shirt which took some of the power off the shot making the save by Aulsberry a little easier. Then with six minutes left Bracknell completed the scoring when Poynter rolled home after getting to the ball before Hitchins.

Woodley soldiered on and ended the game strongly. A Lambert cross from the right was headed into the path of Tim Green by captain Ollie Bridges; unfortunately for United the former could not get any meaningful contact and Bracknell were able to clear. The final chance of the match fell to the lively Nichols who shot into the wall after an indirect free kick.

FT Bracknell Town 6-1 Woodley United