Historic day for football in Woodley

Woodley United's first official game saw the men’s 1st team make the trip to Oxfordshire to face Old Woodstock Town on the opening day of the Hellenic League Division One East campaign.

After an even opening five minutes, the hosts created the game's first real chance when Callum Green raced clear on the left before firing a shot that just missed to the right. Twelve minutes later United took the lead when a Jordan Goddard free kick out on the right evaded everyone and found the far corner. Looking to double their advantage, Andres Rodriguez saw a well struck drive from distance fizz over the bar.

Mid way through the half and the hosts levelled when the impressive Green cut in from the left before finding the far corner with a low shot from eighteen yards. The goal lifted Old Woodstock who should have taken the lead when Charlie Dunmall somehow failed to get his head on a Green cross.

At the other end Javies Catlyn tested Michael Bawn in the home goal before Chris Burt showed good positional sense to cut out a dangerous cross field ball. Half an hour in and the game was being played at a fast tempo despite the heat; Woodley striker Omar Cofie saw his shot miss to the left before a combination of keeper Dan Smith and the post denied Old Woodstock their second when Jamie Fisher got up well to head goal wards at the back post.

Ten minutes before the break saw Burt cautioned for obstruction as the hosts swift counter attack saw them outnumber United as bodies poured forward. The half ended with some nice link up play between Cofie and Catlyn; the latter saw his shot blocked by a defender.

The second half began with United captain Jordan Philip clearing off his own line, then moments later the home side took the lead when Dunmall saw his shot beat Smith despite seemingly being crowded out by United defenders.

Woodley looked for an immediate response. A superb Rodriguez pass found Lemar Maycock who burst into the box before firing a low shot from a tight angle that was dealt with by Bawn. On fifty five minutes Woodley made their first change when last season’s “A” team leading goal scorer Sam Skehan replaced Cofie.

Mid way through the second half and Jake Lewis twice nearly increased Old Woodstock's lead in quick succession. First a dipping shot from distance just went over Smith's bar then the Woodley keeper pulled off his best save of the match diving to his right to deny another long range effort.

As the game wound down, United came close when Catlyn forced Bawn into a smart save diving to his left before a Catlyn corner from the right was punched up rather than out by the home goalie; getting incredible air Maycock out jumped his marker but could only head over.

The final action of an even game saw Old Woodstock clear a Catlyn cross with Woodley centre back Ollie Bridges, who had been thrown forward in the hope of salvaging a point, waiting to nod home.