On a soft pitch that deteriorated as the rain fell, despite the loss this was one of United’s best team performances in recent months with a greater desire and determination shown by the players, none more so than man of the match centre back Brad Hoy in his second game for the club. The performance was also helped by nine of the starting eleven having started in the Supplementary Cup win last Tuesday.

United started positively taking the game to their visitors and enjoying success down both flanks though debutant Matt Lambert and the returned from suspension of Rupen Limbu. However, despite this start the closest the team came to scoring was when Fraser Mowat’s chip of the Rayner’s keeper Przenek Mierzwa, who was outside of the penalty area fell short of the goal and was cleared.

Rayners were also enjoying success on the flanks posing a threat on the attack but with Ben Hitchins marshalling his goal area well and full backs Conor Creegan and Mark Ingram closing down opponents, Hitchins was not called on to make a save.

The only goal of the match came in the twenty second minute when a visitors corner was cleared to the edge of United’s penalty are and chipped back towards goal for Charn Flora to turn unmarked and fire pass Hitchins.

United’s best response saw Limbu hit the base of Mierzwa’s right hand post six minutes later.

With the pitch getting heavy in the rain the second half was an end to end affair with it being a wonder no goals were scored but both teams showed determination in defence none more so that Woodley’s Chris Burt who stop a shot with his face and Hoy who cleared of the goal line deep into stoppage time.

United’s best chance fell to Creegan who ran from the half way line to Lane’s penalty area but then chose to pass to Peter Wareing and have the ball intercepted rather than shoot at goal. Wareing also had a skilful run a few minutes earlier only to be denied by Mierzwa.

There is no game next Saturday with the team next in action on Tuesday 23rd February when the short trip is made to Henley Town.