Two games, six points and more positives

With the season winding down, United are starting to show some real fight; this was the case for the second consecutive game when they ran out 2-1 winners against a Finchampstead side who were title contenders at Christmas.

The game started with a lengthy injury to Woodley's George Douglas, who after treatment was able to continue. When play got going again it was the visitors who registered the game's first chance; a hooked effort from the right side of the box was comfortably gathered by Ben Hitchins in the United goal.

Woodley's first shot fell to Tom Peterson who has looked a real threat since joining the club last month. His effort from distance went over. On eleven minutes United went ahead with Peterson involved again; his fierce shot was blocked by a defender which saw the ball fall invitingly into the path of Matt Lambert who cut to the byline before whipping in a fantastic cross that was headed home by Luke Nichols.

The following fifteen minutes saw Finchampstead have a lot of the ball and create several chances. A left wing cross was headed wide, whilst Hitchins made his first decent stop diving to his right after another cross was headed goalwards. The visitors were getting a lot of joy down the left; Freddie Barron forced Hitchins into another smart stop with a shot into the bottom corner.

When United had possession they looked a real threat. Nichols skinned his marker before putting in a cross that was cleared for a corner. Taking the corner himself he picked out Peterson who saw his powerful shot blocked by a host of bodies.

Just past the half hour Woodley doubled their lead with a sublime goal. A Peterson through ball picked out Tim Green who lofted over Tom Bryant to register his first goal for the first team.

Looking for a way back into the game, Finchapstead had two efforts from distance sail over. The half ended with United nearly increasing their advantage when Nichols raced clear with just Bryant to beat. With the goalkeeper off his line quickly and the ball taking some nasty bobbles the Woodley forward saw his shot saved.

HT Woodley United 2-0 Finchampstead

United made a change before the second half got underway; Mark Ingram replaced Matt Brookling at left back.

More good link up play from Woodley followed. Lambert set up Peterson who shot over from twenty yards before the game had another delay when tempers flared and two players from each side were cautioned.

On the hour, United were nearly gifted a goal when Bryant came off his line and got nowhere near the ball; this presented Nichols with a half chance that he missed to the right with several Finchampstead players back on the goal line.

Woodley were looking dangerous every time they got into the final third; a far cry from the end of last year when you couldn't see where the next goal was going to come from. Green played in Nichols who saw his shot from a tight angle well saved.

More chances followed. A mix up in the away defence presented Peterson with a chance that just missed to the left. At the Woodley end captain Brad Hoy threw himself in front of a Harry Swabey shot before Scott Hunter failed to test Hitchins.

With the contest entering the final fifteen minutes, Green forced Bryant into a decent stop. The game was swinging from end to end; Hitchins made a great save to thwart Swabey from eight yards after some nice hold up play by the Finchamptead striker.

The United defence had looked pretty solid all afternoon, debutant Curtis Robertson looking very assured alongside the reliable Hoy. However some indecision nearly cost Woodley dear when failure to clear allowed Matt Wright to poke goalwards from close range and force Hitchins into another good save.

With seven minutes left, Woodley made their penultimate change when Berri Ahmed made way for Ollie Bridges. The visitors fought on looking to set up a grandstand finale; amidst loud appeals for a penalty, Hunter missed to the left before Hitchins denied Swabey with a point blank save.

United made their final change with two minutes to go when Fraser Mowat replaced the hardworking Green. Sixty seconds later Hitchins was finally beaten when Swabey turned in a Barron cross.

With plenty of added time this set up a nervy end to the game for Woodley. After hitting his free kick into the wall, Swabey picked up the rebound and delivered a cross that was headed straight at Hitchins by Sam Green. This was the game's final chance, moments later the ref blew up to relief all round.

FT Woodley United 2-1 Finchampstead