Draw for Town

Woodley started the game very well to give an outstanding first half performance that saw them race into a two goal lead after eighteen minutes.

From the kick off Town were dominant with Steven Campbell creating chances that saw the ball over run Rob Morley at the far post and Paul Wilder see Milton’s keeper Corin Evans pat the ball away before Nick Edwards had an excellent chance to score from a Dan Jewell cross, but he headed too close to Evans.

Adam Jeffery deservedly opened the scoring, pouncing on a rebound after confusion by Wilder to score with seven minutes played with his shot creeping over the goal line. Woodley kept the pressure on and looked as though they were going to score at any time with Jeffrey outpacing a defender only to see his effort cleared while Rob Morley put a free kick wide of the post.

The second goal came on eighteen minutes when Jamie Fairchild found full back Richard Thomas who threaded in Wilder, who despite having a lot to do managed to steer the ball past Evans. Wilder had been injured in an earlier collision and lasted only a couple of minutes longer before a substitution was necessary. Substitute Carl Davies was quick to stretch the Milton defence and shot wide off balance.

The opening twenty minutes had been all Town with Milton restrict to one long range effort by Ryan Williams that sailed wide of the upright.

The first time Milton got in the penalty area, they won their chance to get back into the game. Craig Beales was adjudged to have felled the forward and Williams scored from the spot. Woodley shook a little and the Milton forward had a good sight of the goal moments later but he shot wide.

Woodley continued to threaten and Jeffery was unfortunate to see his shot from the edge of the area hit the base of the post and go straight across goal. Campbell was penetrating well down the right and made the keeper work with a dipping effort.

The second half saw the wind pick up noticeably and with this blowing behind Milton and the slope helping them, they pressed Woodley back for long periods.

However, Davies had two excellent opportunities to increase Town’s lead when first he rounded Evans to have his shot cleared of the line while United’s Liam Thorne cleared a Davis goal bound shot.

Beales was not tested at all though in the Woodley goal until Milton won a free kick on the edge of the box following an infringement by Jim Nightingale. It was neatly dispatched by Bobby Wilkinson to level the scores at 2 - 2 with ten minutes remaining.

Woodley recovered their composure with Jeffrey and James Varndell working hard down the right flank. Thomas had a shot smothered by Evans while Davies with two minutes remaining went clear again but lifted his shot over the bar with just the keeper to beat.

With six away games played and seven points, this is an encouraging start to take into four home games in September.

Beales, Jewell (Varndell), Thomas, Edwards, Breeney, Nightingale, Fairchild, Campbell (Hiscock), Wilder (Davis), Jeffrey, Morley, Subs not used: Guiblin, Hopper