Town well beaten at table toppers

Town were forced to change things before the game started when Doug Groves got injured in the warm up. Matt Molloy was moved forward and Craig Cox came into the team at left back.

In an even opening five minutes played on a fantastic surface Sam Barham got up well to win some headers in the middle of the park. The first shot of the game fell to the home sides Matt Hammond, Woodley centre back Timon Douglin was positioned well and blocked the effort. Just before the ten minute mark Town's Lemar Meycock drew a foul on the right wing. David Stevens free kick was punched clear by Brackley keeper Dan Farrell and picked up 25 yards out by Barham who badly sliced his shot which went out for a throw on.

Fifteen minutes in and the hosts were forced into an early change when Dean March went off injured. He was replaced by Henry Jackson. Brackley were starting to take a grip on the game, Woodley keeper Dan Smith raced off his line to gather after good link up play by Matt Carr and the lively Hammond. Up the other end Adam Cashin-Murray shot over after a good interception by Town centre back Stuart Doe.

The hosts were now well on top, Smith made a comfortable save in the bottom left corner after a good run and shot from Carr. Moments later Smith was again off his line quickly to thwart Jackson then saved at his near post after a Matt Johnson corner was headed on by Hammond.

Brackley deservedly went ahead just past the half hour mark. Hammond broke the Woodley offside trap and coolly finished. The hosts doubled their lead eight minutes before the break albeit in fortunate circumstances. Jackson's effort from the right side of the 18 yard box took a wicked deflection of a Woodley defender and looped over Smith into the far corner.

The home side continued to attack, last man back Douglin got in a great tackle to stop Hammond after a fast break from the hosts after Woodley lost possession in midfield. The Brackley pressure was relentless. First Doe blocked another shot by Hammond then Smith saved an effort by Jarred Spink who was put in one on one with the Town keeper.

Town found themselves three down two minutes before the break. In the goal of the game, Jackson raced down the right wing, crossed to Hammond whose lay off was beautifully placed into the left corner by Matt Carr from 22 yards. That bought an end to a half dominated by the home side.

Half Time Brackley Town Development 3-0 Woodley Town

The second half began with a few half chances for Brackley. Firstly a Matt Johnson shot was charged down by a Town defender then a Spink effort from 35 yards went well over. Four minutes after the restart Woodley got back in the game when Doe headed in a Cashin-Murray corner. The centre back was then booked seven minutes later for a foul on the half way line.

Brackley were not happy to sit back and defend their lead and continued to create chances. Jackson burst into the Town box before squaring to Hammond, but Smith was off his line in a flash to get to the ball before the striker. Woodley were playing better since the break and nearly got right back into the game when a Stevens corner from the right just missed the head of Meycock.

Just past the hour mark Woodley made their first change. Pete Wareing replaced Craig Cox. This saw Molloy go to full back and Wareing play on the left side of midfield. Minutes later Meycock went over in the box but the ref was having none of it and waved play on.

More good link up play from the home side saw Spink tee up Hammond. Douglin who had a very good game was in the way once again and blocked the shot then Town striker Steven Campbell who was isolated up front on his own had a half chance but missed to the left.

68 minutes gone and the home side retained their three goal cushion when Hammond turned well on the edge of the box before firing his second past Smith into the right corner. Town made their penultimate sub before kicking off. Tafari Downes made his debut replacing Barham. Woodley kept trying to force their way back into the game. A Cashin-Murray through ball found Meycock, but before he could get his shot away Farrell was out to clear up.

With twenty minutes to go right back Matt Brookling's cross into the box found Downes, with his back to goal he tried a bicycle kit but didn't trouble Farrell. Town made their final change five minutes later. Victor Martinez Murillo replaced Meycock.

With the game winding down Cashin-Murray shot straight at Farrell from 25 yards before Brackley's Johnson fired over after a good run. Hammond then should have got his third but missed to the left after finding space in the Woodley box.

Town kept fighting till the final whistle. A Cashin-Murray free kick was blocked well by the home sides wall then a Campbell header just flashed wide after a superb Stevens delivery from a set-piece. The final shot of the afternoon summed up Town's day. Martinez Murillo, who was also making his first appearance saw his shot from 25 yards go out for a throw.

Town improved after the break but were well beaten on the day.

FT Brackley Town Development 4-1 Woodley Town

Woodley Town
D. Smith, Brookling, Doe, Douglin, Cox, (Wareing) Barham (Downes), Cashin-Murray, Stevens, Meycock (Martinez Murillo), Campbell, Molloy,