Drew dampens Sandhurst's fiz!

For the second week running Josh Drew was United’s hero scoring the only goal of the game in the eighty fifth minute in a match that started at a frantic pace and saw both teams create opportunities with Sandhurst’s keeper Matt Watson denying Charlie Oakley on a number of occasions during the first half.

In the opening five minutes, three chances were created with Alex Reed being called upon to catch well before Greg Beckett, who was a constant threat all afternoon, drove straight at Watson, before Watson parried a Charlie Oakley effort away for a corner.

Returning to the starting lineup after a one match suspension, Oakley was lively in leading the Woodley attack and using his pace to good effect. He was to shot over the cross bar, be flagged off side from an excellent Abdul Kamara pass, see Watson parry another two shots away for a corner and hit the cross bar all in the opening half hour of the match.

Despite Woodley’s pressure Town was lively going forward but were reduced to long range efforts on a couple of occasions as once again United’s defense was proving difficult to breech with Dan Greenwood showing his versatility as a defender by playing left back to go with previous appearances at right and centre back.

Following a goalless first half, the visitors started the second the stronger enjoying greater possession but not troubling Reed and it was not until ten minutes after the restart that Woodley mounted its first attack when captain Idris Kamara carried the ball from the half way line into the opponent’s penalty area before shooting wide.

This ignited United and with Carl Prestige introduced on the wing and Josh Drew moving to play the “number 10” role, the home team regained the upper hand with Beckett twice shooting at goal and Prestidge seeing an effort go over the goal following good work by Drew.

The all-important goal came when Horscroft passed to Prestidge on the right wing who attached the goal line before passing low into the Town penalty area to find Drew who showed a good touch to control the ball and steer inside the far post from a diving Watson.

Having taken the lead there was still drama for United who had to see out in excess of seven minutes stoppage time and finish the last two minutes with ten men when Joe Barley fell awkwardly in a challenge and was forced to leave the field of play with the home team already having used all three substitutes.

The win leaves Woodley in second place at Christmas with Didcot Town Reserves visiting on Boxing Day before a trip to leaders Penn & Tylers Green on New Year’s Eve.

Reed, Morgan (Kang) Greenwood (Wilson), Nicholls, I Kamara, Barley, Drew, A Kamara (Prestidge), Oakley, Horscroft, Beckett, Subs not used: Thomas and Meredith