Town punished by clinical finishing

Town went into their final away game of the season on the back of a run of matches that had seen them pick up thirteen points out of a possible fifteen. Their opponents however had won only once in their last seven league matches.

Woodley made one change from Tuesday night's win against Finchampstead; Ben Gonzalez came in for George Dallarda.

On a nice playing surface, Town started brightly, moving the ball round well but lacking a killer instinct. Good link up play between Adam Cashin-Murray and Steven Campbell saw the latter's cross cleared six yards out.

Woodley's first effort stemmed from a set piece. Jordan Goddard's deep free kick was only cleared as far as Cashin-Murray who saw his drive blocked by a yellow shirt. Twelve minutes on the clock and captain David Stevens' free kick just evaded Adam Bygrave at the back post.

Three minutes later Rayners Lane took the lead completely against the run of play. A mistake by Goddard saw Julian Smith break clear; shrugging off a Town challenge, his low effort beat Dan Smith in the Woodley goal to give the hosts the lead.

Town looked for an immediate response. Cashin-Murray saw a shot go over before a Campbell effort was saved comfortably in the bottom left corner by Rory Mullane. Midway through the first half Woodley created their clearest chance thus far when Bygrave picked out Stevens on the left side of the box; Stevens did everything right, keeping the ball down and striking it with pace, however Mullane stood up to the shot well and saved with his legs.

Up the other end, Smith saved well diving to his right to deny Jordan Robinson. Ten minutes before the break and Rayners Lane doubled their lead. Jamal Stewart saw his initial effort blocked by Town full back Jon Malone, the rebound fell back to Stewart whose follow up shot was saved by Smith only for Robinson to smash home off the left post.

The final ten minutes before the break saw most of the play in the Rayners Lane half with Town unable to test Mullane.

HT Rayners Lane 2-0 Woodley Town

Woodley started the second period with some much needed urgency. Cashin-Murray's headed pass found Gonzalez on the right wing; unfortunately for Town the latter's cross-come-shot flashed across goal.

Just before the hour both sides traded shots. First Julian Smith missed to the left following a Daniel McPherson free kick before Stevens shot over from twenty yards. Stevens then saw a well struck effort blocked by Sam Durand who hurt himself in the process.

Moments later Town nearly halved the deficit when Campbell rounded Mullane; shooting off balance, the Woodley striker saw his shot cleared off the line by McPherson. With twenty five minutes left Town made a double change. Max Brown and Victor Martinez replaced Doug Groves and Ben Gonzalez.

The home side were looking to hit Woodley on the counter. A great run by Julian Smith saw him drive into the Town area; passing it to Stewart on the left side of the box, the latter blazed over before Robinson got his second of the game. Stewart's trickery on the left saw his cross blasted into the net by the big striker from twelve yards. Great goal!

With the game entering its final stages Bygrave was cautioned for persistent fouling before Town made their final change, Steven Campbell making way for Michael Alleyne. The final chance of the game fell to Bygrave whose long range shot missed high and wide to the left.

FT Rayners Lane 3-0 Woodley Town

Woodley Town
D. Smith, Malone, Goddard, Doe, Douglin, Bygrave, Gonzalez (Martinez), Cashin-Murray, Campbell (Alleyne), Stevens, Groves (Brown)