United still looking for first points of 2016

Despite losing their last two fixtures Woodley have shown signs of improvement. They headed to Wantage on Saturday for their penultimate away game of the season but came away pointless after a poor first half showing.

United started well, bossing possession in the opening five minutes. It was the home side that had the game's first chance however; Harry Broad's first time shot was straight at Woodley stopper Ben Hitchins. Moments later Wantage should have gone ahead but Sam Barder headed wide from close range.

Ten minutes in and the hosts took the lead when Barder headed in a free kick from the left. Looking for an immediate response, a nice move by Woodley ended with George Douglas slightly over hitting a pass that would have seen Rupen Limbu in on goal.

Wantage doubled their lead on eighteen minutes when Barder smashed in from the left side of the box after United failed to clear a corner. The advantage could have been greater if it hadn't been for some brave defending by Brad Hoy who threw himself in front of a powerful shot from Jordan Davies.

The half ended with more Wantage pressure. Karl Roberts headed over before a Barder header landed on the roof of Hitchins' goal.

HT Wantage Town Reserves 2-0 Woodley United

United started the half with a purpose; a fiercely struck drive by Conor Creegan stung the hands of Harry Whitehead then George Douglas headed over a Matt Brookling cross.

Just past the hour, Wantage got their third when a fine run by substitute Toby Ferrison ended with him squaring to Davies who found the right corner from eight yards. Woodley were much more energetic in the second half; looking to cut the home side's lead, Douglas dragged a shot wide.

United made a double change on sixty four minutes. Tim Green and Pete Wareing came on for Creegan and Fraser Mowat. This saw Matt Lambert move out to the right wing, Douglas join Tyrone May in central midfield and both subs play up top.

With the game in its final quarter, the tricky Ferrison was tripped in the box; Andrew Barton stepped up to take the penalty but it was well saved by Hitchins diving to his left.

The home side didn't let up; Matt Brookling cleared off the line to stop Woodley falling further behind. United never gave up; Limbu saw his free kick saved before Green missed to the left. Woodley made their final change with eleven minutes left when Mark Ingram replaced full back Chris Burt.

The game ended with both sides trading shots. A nice move by Woodley ended with Lambert missing the target before Hitchins once again bailed out United when he pulled off a decent stop after a Wantage counter.

FT Wantage Town Reserves 3-0 Woodley United