Penalty woes v Didcot Town Reserves!

Damien Marshall was missing several players for this match, including Adam Cashin-Murray, Jordan Goddard, Sam Barham, Lemar Maycock and Seun Odusanya.

On the wide Scours Lane pitch, Didcot's young players started strongly without testing Dan Smith in goal.

A few defensive lapses gifted chances to Didcot before the home side finally started playing. On 17 minutes, Carlton Cox set up a chance but took an extra touch and the ball was lost. Then some great passing down the right flank led to a shooting chance for Steve Campbell but his shot was deflected wide.

After 20 minutes, a free kick from Matt Molloy was punched over the bar by Kieran Beesley, the young Didcot keeper, under pressure from Gary Smith.

Three minutes later, the referee showed a yellow card to Timon Douglin for a high foot, though this seemed a little harsh as there was no intent.

Didcot's best chance of the half fell to Tom Hoskin who missed a header in front of goal following a free kick whipped across goal. At the other end, Mikey Alleyne got forward from a free kick and cleverly chipped the ball across from the byline only for Gary Smith to head straight into Beesley's arms.

As Woodley started to dominate, so Carlton Cox missed a great chance to take the lead. Kieran Beesley was out of position following a defensive lapse but Cox was unable to steer the ball towards goal.

On 40 minutes, a long range shot from the dangerous Arran Gray flew just wide of Dan Smith's left hand post.

Some minor skirmishes between players led to a 4 minute hold up in the match with the referee consulting both linesmen before deciding to take no action. Unfortunately, he then did show a yellow card to Gary Smith for apparently holding back his marker though the linesman's flag was already held aloft for an offside decision.

With the half almost up, Mikey Alleyne sent a long ball through to Campbell whose shot from distance was comfortably saved.
HT 0-0

The second half started brightly with Dan Smith called upon to make a smart save within seconds of the restart.

In a spell of end to end football, pressure from Woodley resulted in a left foot shot from Alleyne which was saved. Only moments later, Arran Gray was put through following a speedy break and his shot beat Smith only to rebound off the bar. The whistle blew before Didcot followed up the rebound by bundling the ball in the net. When the action stopped, it became clear that the referee had seen Alleyne's challenge on Gray as a penalty and red card offence, although it looked much more like a late challenge for which a penalty was punishment enough without the card.

Didcot captain, Jamie Newport, converted the penalty to make it 1-0.

Down to ten men, Douglin moved back to cover for Alleyne and Campbell dropped into midfield. A Didcot second looked likely as Jack Hollister was set up but missed badly.

Jason Awberry replaced Steve Weston and slotted into midfield with Ben Gonzalez taking over the right wing back duties. A minute or two later, Woodley pressed into the Didcot box, Dominic Allen setting up Campbell who went over under a challenge from Lee Newport. The referee awarded a penalty and a yellow card to Lee Newport for the foul, resisting any temptation to even out the numbers.

With Woodley's regular penalty taker in the dressing room, Carlton Cox volunteered to take the kick but his side foot was well saved by Beesley diving to his left.

There was another chance for Didcot's man of the match, Gray, when he surged through following a slip by Douglin and smashed a shot goalwards only for Dan Smith to pull off another great save.

With 14 minutes to go, Jack Hoad replaced Dom Allen with Campbell moving back to the striker role. Soon after, Campbell found some space and cut back a dangerous ball to Cox whose shot was saved by Beesley.

Doug Groves replaced the hard working Matt Molloy on 80 minutes.

Didcot Town still looked to take advantage of their player advantage and a cross from the byline seemed certain to double the lead but Stuart Doe made a timely challenge to keep the ball out.

With legs tired it looked unlikely that Woodley would fashion another chance but Campbell chased down a hopeful ball towards the corner flag beating Beesley to the ball. With the keeper out of goal, his cross only needed to find a sky blue shirt but the cross was cleared by a defender and seconds later the referee signalled the end of the contest.

Ends 0-1

Woodley Town next entertain Badshot Lea from the Combined Counties Premier in an historic first ever FA Vase encounter next Saturday at Scours Lane, 3pm kick off.