Thomas double claims point

It was a crunch game at East Park Farm in the local derby with top of the table Henley Town and it ended in stalemate with left back Richard Thomas bagging a brace in a 2 - 2 draw. It felt like a defeat though for Woodley as the visitors, who had been reduced to ten men shortly before half time Town snatched a late equaliser from the penalty spot.

Henley took the lead in only the second minute of the game. A free kick on the edge of the area was curled into the top corner by captain Dauda Fofanah and was followed by Woodley having to weather the Henley attacks and needed Warren Baxter’s fine interception to prevent Tranell Richardson shooting.

Gradually Woodley started to control the ball with Dan Jewell, Luke Williams and Adam Jeffrey beginning to cause problems and Jeffrey had a good chance as the ball was cut back to him he narrowly missed the target. Sam Cripps also narrowly missed the target as he raced onto a bouncing ball.

Despite this, Thomas cleared a corner after Imran Cooke – Chowdhary failed to hold the ball while Jewell cleared for a corner as Richardson again prepared to shoot at goal.

The game was littered with fouls and there were yellow cards for both sides, but Henley was reduced to ten men two minutes before half time as dangerous lunge was punished in Woodley’s half of the pitch. Moments later Woodley equalised as crossed for his defensive partner Thomas to score a good header into the corner.

Half time came at a good time for Henley as they were able to re group.

Woodley started brightly and created plenty of chances. Jeffrey shot just wide from a good position in the area, Cripps jinked his way through with only the keeper to beat by Dave Lyons pulled off a great save. Cripps had another great chance as Thomas headed across goal and from a few yards the striker could not get enough on his header and it was cleared off the line.

Although Henley’s Martin Bradshaw went wide from distance the home team felt it was only a matter of time before they scored as they continued to go close through Jewell from distance and Nick Edwards following up a Jeffrey shot but man of the match Lyons reacted well to divert the shot over the cross bar.

The goal came on seventy six minutes through a diving header from Thomas for his second form a Williams’s corner. Henley had a good chance as the forward outpaced the defenders and before he could surely score, Baxter made a crucial tackle to snatch the chance away.

There were a couple of half chances for Woodley to extend the lead, but Henley got a break when they were awarded a penalty against Baxter with five minutes remaining. The kick was converted emphatically by Fofanah and Woodley had to settle for a point but they were disappointed to not have all three on the balance of play.

Cooke - Chowdhary, Jewell, Thomas, Edwards, Nightingale, Baxter, Jeffrey, Whitehouse (Holloway), Fairchild, Cripps, Williams, Subs Not Used: Varndell and Hiscock

Attendance: 76