Woodley win first away match of the season at familiar surroundings

In Jock Mowat's first game as interim manager, his side got at Reading from the off; a Rupen Limbu cross just evaded Bevan Van Wyk who timed his run from deep near perfectly. Woodley were looking dangerous every time striker Lemar Maycock got on the ball, breaking the Reading offside trap he raced clear only to be denied by Town centre back Joseph Richardson who recovered well.

The opening five minutes saw Woodley camped in their opponents half; a Van Wyk pass allowed Maycock to break clear on the left, cutting onto his right foot his low shot was well saved by Nicky Slatcher.

Seven minutes in and Woodley deservedly went ahead when Maycock and Van Wyk once again combined. Maycock picked up the ball on the left, drove into the box before teeing up Van Wyk who smashed home off the underside of the bar from just inside the box.

The goal woke up Reading who had started poorly. A lovely ball by Levi Lawrence picked out Luke Richardson at the back post; luckily for United Matt Leigh, who was making his first appearance of the season, was able to clear.

Woodley then came close to doubling their lead when right back Jordan Phillip pinged a fantastic ball to Van Wyk, who played a nice one-two with Maycock before seeing his low shot saved in the right corner by Slatcher.

Mid way through the half saw Woodley dealt an early blow when Maycock hobbled off. He was replaced by Omar Cofie. The game then entered a lull with the game bogged down in midfield and tempers flaring.

Eight minutes before the break saw Reading level when Luke Richardson fired into the right corner from twenty yards. Both sides then had half chances to go ahead as the half wound down; first Reading's Lance Barlow volleyed goalwards following a right wing cross, then Limbu was denied by Slatcher, who was off his line quickly.

HT Reading Town 1-1 Woodley United

The second period got underway with Woodley very nearly gifting Town the lead; a poor clearance fell to a red shirt whose effort from eighteen yards just missed to the right.

Moments later Woodley came within inches of regaining the lead when they won back possession following a throw in deep in Reading territory; danger man Van Wyk saw his shot just miss to the left. On fifty three minutes Woodley did go back in front when Reading failed to clear a set piece; Prince Alozie managed to fire through a mass of bodies into the right corner.

Just past the hour saw Woodley centre back Luke Titcombe was cautioned after tangling with a Reading forward on the half way line. Reading then had a serious let off when a miss kick by Slatcher gifted Alozie a chance on the edge of the box; a combination of a block by a defender and not much contact saw the ball break to Van Wyk who shot over.

With twelve minutes left United made their second change; Limbu made way for Seun Odusanya. Moments later Woodley nearly made sure when an Alozie pass put Cofie through; the United striker struck his shot firmly but was denied by Slatcher.

The game ended with on a disappointing note when Odusanya clashed with Levi Lawrence in an incident that saw both players sent off. In the aftermath of the incident Town’s Luke Richardson and Tranell Richardson were also dismissed.

FT Reading Town 1-2 Woodley United

Woodley United
1. Smith, 2. Phillip, 3. Leigh, 4. Cox, 5. Bridges, 6. Titcombe, 7. Alozie, 8. Creegan 9. Maycock (Cofie), 10. Van Wyk, 11. Limbu (Odusanya)

Unused sub
15. Ingram