Woodley win on Pens

Woodley faced Bracknell Town away in the League cup and were confident they could cause an upset and it was a bright start from the away side.

Nick Edwards had a shot turned away by keeper Dan Tilson and Bracknell had a chance of their own but Imran Cooke- Chowdhary saved well at the feet of the striker. Luke Williams was causing problems whenever he got on the ball and Woodley took the lead as Richard Thomas raided forward after robbing the defence of possession and his cross was turned in by Danny Isaiew on twenty seven minutes.

It looked as though Woodley had settled nicely as they had an Adam Jeffrey shot go flashing across goal, Jim Nightingale had a header pushed away by Tilson and Thomas had a header comfortably saved. Bracknell carried a threat still and shot just wide before getting a chance to level the scores as the Woodley keeper came rushing out to intercept, but he was rounded by Ben Knight and the retreating Dan Jewell was unable to reach the ball on the line a minute before half time.

Undeterred Woodley started the second half confidently and enjoyed the better of the play with Jeffrey and Williams continuing to cause the Bracknell defence problems. Both sides defended well though and there was little to trouble either keeper during a goalless second half.

The game went to extra time and the referee was to play a major part in the game. Chowdhary-Cooke was again called out of his area and when the ball struck his hand from a yard he was penalised. A quickly taken free kick was taken and Jewell made what looked like a great challenge in the area, but a penalty was awarded and Woodley were furious. It was converted by Rob Yorke – Goldney on ninety nine resulting in Woodley having to push for an equaliser.

Substitute Sam Cripps made a good impact with his direct runs troubling the Bracknell defence and if his touch had been better he would have been through on goal as he burst through the home defence. The equaliser was quick in coming when a Williams’ free kick four minutes later evaded a crowd of players and found the far corner.

The second period of extra time again saw Woodley on top and Cripps got the third Woodley goal two minutes into the second period of extra time. He turned his man in the area and fired into the roof of the net. Woodley looked comfortable for the remainder of the half barring a strong penalty appeal when it looked as though Nightingale had taken out Knight. Maybe it had evened itself out in terms of decisions.

There was to be a twist when with thirty seconds remaining when Tom Nugent equalised from a flicked set piece to send the game to penalties.

Nightingale scored his penalty and Bracknell missed theirs, Williams and Edwards scored but Isaiew hit the upright. Bracknell missed their fourth and Jewell had the kick to win it and he took the chance to send Woodley through to the next round and a home tie with neighbours Reading Town on 25th October.

Cooke - Chowdhary, Thomas (Varndell), Jewell, Edwards, Nightingale, Baxter, Jeffrey, Whitehouse (Holloway), Witt (Cripps), Isaiew, Williams Sub not used: Hiscock

Attendance: 73