Late Josh Drew strike gives United all three points

With Finchampstead playing in the cup United had the opportunity to increase the gap to five points as they look to secure second spot behind leaders Penn & Tylers Green.

This was the third meeting between Woodley and Aldermaston this season. United were 2-1 up at the start of January before the game was abandoned due to a floodlight failure whilst Woodley ran out comfortable winners in the reverse fixture back in September.

The away side started the better of the two sides. Craig Masterson saw his shot have all the pace taken off it after it clipped a defender whilst United centre back Joe Barley did well to recover from giving away possession to block a Dan Alliston effort.

Woodley were really struggling; things were not clicking in the final third. Just before the half hour they were saved by the linesman's flag when Aldermaston forward Kai Parton-Edy had a goal disallowed for offside.

The nearest United got to testing Dan Smith in the away goal was when Danny Horscroft teed up Liam Wilson; unfortunately the winger didn't make much contact allowing Aldermaston to clear.

Eleven minutes before the break Woodley made a change when Dave Morgan came on for Abdul Kamara who had picked up a knock.

HT Woodley United 0-0 AFC Aldermaston

Aldermaston had the first chance after the break. Karl Hanks shot over from twenty five yards.

Just past the hour mark United registered their first shot of the match. A sublime through ball from captain Jake Nicholls sent Charlie Oakley in on goal; with just Smith to beat the ex Woodley stopper did well to beat out a left footed effort from the left side of the box.

The creation of the chance saw the momentum of the game swing in United's favour who for the remainder of the game looked the more dangerous of the two sides. Oakley latched onto a Josh Drew pass but couldn't pick out Wilson from the right wing.

Horscroft then had a left wing cross cut out with Drew waiting to pounce before the visitors nearly caught Woodley out with a swift counter attack. Working the ball from the back Hanks saw a close range shot brilliantly saved by Alex Reed in the home goal.

Down the other end Oakley overhit a right wing cross with United outnumbering their opponents in the eighteen yard box.

With ten minutes to go Woodley made their penultimate change when Teddy Thomas replaced right back Danny Greenwood. This saw a change to three at the back as the hosts pushed more men forward in search of a winner.

Five minutes after the change the goal finally came when Drew scored from close range. Starting the move on the wing the United player saw his cross from the left cleared; the ball was immediately sent back into the box where Oakley headed back across goal to Drew who got his third goal in two games.

Before Aldermaston could kick off Woodley made their final change when Wilson made way for Sukhi Kang.

No further chances were created allowing United to pick up a narrow victory. Up next is Didcot Town Reserves on Tuesday evening.

FT Woodley United 1-0 AFC Aldermaston