Midweek defeat in West London despite a spirited performance

Due to midweek work commitments, Woodley Town lost three players from Saturday's line up against Headington. Simon Rushe started his first match at centre back and Matty Bennett slotted in to left back. Danny Isiaew returned to the eleven in a midfield role with Lemar Maycock retained as the lone striker.

The first twenty minutes went well for the visitors with some decent passing moves and a long range shot from Jordan Goddard going wide after being set up by Maycock.

Rayners Lane started to show some form and Gareth Davies stopped a great chance with a well timed sliding tackle. Then Callum McCarroll had a clear scoring chance but put his header wide. On 29 minutes, Ashley Smith made a superb finger tip save from a ferocious shot, the ball cannoning off the crossbar. As Woodley started to fade, Anton Nisbeth went on a mazy run and should have done better when skying over from close range.

At 0-0, it was anybody's game going into the second half but Rayners Lane continued to push forward making Smith the busier of the two keepers. Woodley made the first substitution, Omar Cofie replacing Dan Watkiss. Shortly after, a superb cross field pass landed on the foot of Jamel Mattan who skipped past Matt Bennett and rounded Smith before tapping home.

A second sub, Doug Groves, came on for Bennett but this was also quickly followed by a home goal. In a carbon copy of the first, Mattan with lots to do on the right wing cut inside and smashed the ball past Smith to make it 2-0.

This woke up Woodley who slowly started to get back into the game. Simon Griffiths came on for the tiring Goddard. The last eleven minutes proved to be very open with chances for both sides. Groves crossed for Griffiths who couldn't make decent contact in front of goal. Adam King's pass found Omar who shot wide. Then Simon Rushe earned a yellow card for a late tackle on Julian Smith as he broke dangerously down the left wing. The resulting free kick landed in the back of the net but the referee brought the game back as he hadn't blown his whistle.

The home side did add to their advantage in the last minute when Cofie lost the ball on halfway and Julian Smith finished in style. There was still time for Cofie himself to get on the scoresheet, his bullet header from a delightful King cross making the final score 3-1.

Although a disappointing result, this was a good performance from Woodley at a very difficult place to come. Next up is the trip to Milton Heights on Saturday to play Milton United.

Woodley Town: Smith, Davies, Bennett (Groves), Thomas, Pheby, Rushe, Watkiss (Cofie), Goddard (Griffiths), Maycock, Isaiew, King