Woodley get their first points of 2016!

On a day of firsts, United deservedly ended a run of league defeats stretching back to November with victory over Didcot in a game played in appalling conditions.

With grey skies looming over Scours Lane it was the away side who created the game's first half chance; a dangerous cross from the left flashed across Woodley's six yard box. Five minutes gone, United took the lead when an Andy Herbert cross from the left found Fraser Mowat; after an initial miscue, the winger fired a shot goalwards that was blocked by a defender; however the ball fell perfectly for Tom Peterson who slotted into the right corner. This was Peterson's first Woodley goal on his first start and, amazingly, the first time Woodley had led a league game since September.

As the weather worsened and sleeting rain fell, the game entered a slight lull with Woodley shading possession but chances rare. Midway through the half, Woodley keeper Ben Hitchins was called into action to deny Tom Hoskin after he picked up a Jack Hollister through ball. Sixty seconds later a powerful shot from Hoskin was blocked by a Woodley defender.

Despite the conditions and a bobbly pitch, United were playing some nice football. A flowing move involving Ryan Szram, Herbert and Peterson ended with the latter slightly over hitting the final ball. At the other end Woodley had a let off when a corner was headed over from close range.

Ten minutes before the break, United made an early change when Ollie Bridges replaced Mark Ingram who departed due to a head injury. This saw Bridges join Brad Hoy, who was captaining the side for the first time, in central defence and Matt Brookling, who had started alongside Hoy, take Ingram's place at left back.

The half ended with more Woodley pressure. A nice pass from Tyrone May picked out Herbert who saw his shot from twenty yards blocked before a Szram effort also hit a Didcot body.

HT Woodley United 1-0 Didcot Town reserves

With the rain getting heavier and the wind stronger, the opening stages of the second half were devoid of goalmouth action The first chance since the restart fell to Peterson who shot over from outside the box. On the hour United gave a debut to young forward Ben Anderson; he replaced Mowat.

Immediately getting into the action, Anderson pounced on a mistake from a Didcot defender; bearing down on goal he took the ball wide before forcing Adam Spurrett to save. The away side were really struggling to create chances from open play and, with United having a history of conceding from set plays, it was only natural that Didcot looked at their most dangerous from corners and free kicks. Hitchins made easy work of a Hollister effort after he headed a corner goalwards.

With the match entering its final twenty minutes, a well hit Peterson effort from distance just went over. Anderson then came close to a debut goal when he rounded Spurrett only to see his shot cleared off the line.

As the rain started to ease, a fine run from Hollister ended with him just missing to the right after he skipped through several challenges. Woodley made their final change with twelve minutes to go; Herbert made way for Sam Skehan.

The final chance of the game fell to the away side; substitute Jack Powell forced Hitchins into the stop of the match with a well hit shot from the left side of the box. This save preserved the three points and in the process gave Hitchins his first clean sheet in a United shirt.

FT Woodley United 1-0 Didcot Town reserves