Clinical United into the semis of BBFA Intermediate Cup

Woodley started 2017 with a big win against Great Horwood and progressed to the semi finals of the BBFA Intermediate Cup.

Playing in front of a decent crowd at Bulmershe Pavillion it was the visitors who started well; bossing the opening ten minutes. United centre back Idris Kamara denied Brandon Bowes with a good tackle; the ball broke to Andy Brunning who forced Alex Reed to make his first stop of the match.

More chances for Horwood followed. Dale Armitage narrowly missed from twenty yards before a deflected Sam Archer effort forced Reed into a good reflex save.

On seventeen minutes Woodley went ahead against the run of play when a Carl Prestidge cross from the right went in off a yellow shirt beating keeper Ian McStraw at his near post. United winger Greg Beckett then had a shot from distance go high and wide as the hosts settled.

If the opening goal was fortuitous there was nothing lucky about Woodley's second. A long Danny Greenwood pass found Beckett who proceeded to tee up Danny Horscroft who arrowed a first time shot into the top left corner. Great strike!

Sixty seconds after United had doubled their lead they were indebted to some last ditch defending to hack clear after a big goalmouth scramble whilst Bowes hooked over an Armitage cross.

The half ended with half chances for Woodley. Charlie Oakley tested McStraw before a Horscroft free kick was headed over.

HT Woodley United 2-0 Great Horwood

United started the half well knowing the next goal would surely kill off the game. Oakley shot over from twenty yards whilst Prestidge missed from a tight angle on the right.

Eleven minutes after the restart Oakley got on the scoresheet latching onto a Horscroft pass and finding the left corner. On the hour Woodley made a change when Teddy Thomas replaced Beckett.

The visitors kept fighting, backed by a decent support. Ben Thickbroom narrowly missed to the right. A nice move then ended with Reed saving from Bowes.

Mid way through the half Great Horwood mustered their best chance of the game. A fantastic right wing cross by Andy Brunning found substitute Adam Dixon three yards out who managed to kick it straight back to Brunning.

United sub Thomas was looking lively on the left wing; refusing to give up on what seemed a lost cause he managed to retain possession, beat his man but couldn't pick out Oakley.

Woodley made their penultimate change with nineteen minutes left. Prestidge made way for Liam Wilson. Two minutes after the change it was four when Horscroft tucked home a penalty after a foul on Thomas.

Before kicking off United made their final change when Toby Briggs came in for Oakley. Briggs nearly made an immediate impact forcing McStraw into a good save after a powerful shot.

With the game in the final ten minutes Briggs completed the scoring with a neat finish placing into the right corner after receiving a Thomas pass.

The game ended with Woodley doing everything to maintain their clean sheet. Both Greenwood and Joe Barley blocked shots to prevent a consolation.

FT Woodley United 5-0 Great Horwood