Fantastic team performance by United gets the season off to the perfect start

A new look Woodley United side, with every player making their competitive debut picked up a deserved 4-0 win at Rayners Lane.

This is the fifth successive season United have started a campaign with a new manager; Michael Herbert was in charge today and he couldn't have wished for a better opening day.

United started well, Greg Beckett tested Shane Gilsenan in the home goal from twenty yards inside the opening minute. At the other end, a dangerous cross from the left was cleared by Woodley full back Luke Turner.

Woodley were playing some great stuff, the movement off the ball was especially impressive. A nice move fizzled out when Charlie Oakley slightly overhit a pass that would have seen Danny Horscroft in on goal.

The game was being played at a decent tempo with both teams creating chances. United keeper Alex Reed pulled off his first save of the afternoon diving to his left to deny David Jackson. The resultant corner flashed across the United six yard box.

Woodley took the lead in the game's next attack; a superb Beckett cross from the left picked out Oakley who made no mistake from six yards. Looking for an immediate response Jordy Mumbiny missed to the right for the hosts.

On the half hour, Beckett had a great chance to double United's lead when he found space in the Rayners Lane area. Receiving a pinpoint pass from Josh Drew, the Woodley forward took a touch before missing to the right.

The final chance of an entertaining half saw Reed pull off a tremendous point blank save to thwart Bradley Morris. A crucial save to make sure United went in at the break ahead.

HT Rayners Lane 0-1 Woodley United

Woodley doubled their lead two minutes after the restart when Beckett found space on the left side of the box before coolly finishing with a low shot into the right corner.

Moments later Oakley was pulled back in the box and a penalty was awarded. Beckett stepped up and despite Gilsenan guessing right, the penalty was placed perfectly into the left corner.

United continued to create chances; a nice pass by Jake Nicholls released Oakley who forced Gilsenan into a save. Oakley then made the most of some sloppy defending to once more test Gilsenan with a powerful shot from a tight angle.

With an hour gone Woodley made their first change when Teddy Thomas replaced midfielder Dave Morgan. This saw Oakley drop into a deeper role, Beckett move central and Thomas play out on the left wing.

The home side were struggling to create anything in the final third; their best chance of a frustrating half came from a set piece. Jean Kima struck his free kick well enough but was denied by Reed who got down well to his right.

United were playing some superb football. In the move of the match Thomas picked up the ball just inside the Lane half before driving towards goal; letting Nicholls take over, he continued his run down the right and was picked out by a perfectly weighted through ball; the pacey wide man then set up Beckett who saw his fierce shot deflected behind.

Woodley completed the rout on seventy minutes when Nicholls played in Drew. Out-muscling his marker, he smashed into the top left corner. Great finish! This was to be Drew's last contribution as he made way for Toby Briggs before the home side could kick off.

United made their final change with thirteen minutes to go when Charlie Baines came on for Oakley.

The hosts had the last chance of a game where they were second best when Marvin Luzinda volleyed a difficult effort wide following a left wing cross.

FT Rayners Lane 0-4 Woodley United