Good workout for new look first team

The first team started their preparation for the 16/17 season on Saturday afternoon; taking on fellow step six side Cobham.

This was manager Michael Herbert's first match in charge and with many new faces taking the field, getting to know each other and building up fitness were more important than the result.

Woodley started well; moving the ball round nicely and looking the more dangerous of the two sides. However on twelve minutes they fell behind when Gary Abisogun converted from the penalty spot.

Four minutes later United equalised and once again the goal came after a foul in the box. Charlie Oakley made no mistake from twelve yards with a shot into the top right corner.

Cobham retook the lead on twenty one minutes when Myles Powponne finished well from the edge of the box. The action continued; Woodley were back on level terms on the half hour when Danny Horscroft nodded in from close range after a deep free kick was headed back across goal.

HT Woodley United 2-2 Cobham

Woodley made ten changes at the break with every outfield player being replaced.

United came within inches of going ahead shortly after the restart when Toby Briggs saw his powerful shot cannon off the bar.

Ten minutes into the second half Cobham regained their advantage when Abisogun lobbed the young United keeper after picking up a long ball from the back.

The away side sealed the win in added time when a low shot was drilled in after some good hold up play and an unselfish lay off.

FT Woodley United 2-4 Cobham

United manager Michael Herbet had the following to say after the game 'I was really happy with the performance; the players' attitude was great. We were on top for the majority of the first half showing a really good tempo. The skill showed by Charlie Oakley to win the penalty was fantastic.

In the second half we found things harder. Toby Briggs was very unlucky to see his shot hit the bar. The goals we conceded in the final forty five minutes came down to a lack of communication but that can be expected at this stage as the players are getting to know each other. I thought both Charlie Hiscox and Jamie Smith were both outstanding. Looking forward to next weeks game against Marlow'.