Seventh Heaven for Town

With James Pheby suspended, Mike Alleyne took over as captain for this first home fixture. Louie Tallett welcomed back Gareth Davies and Tyrone May while first timers, Johnny Lamb and Justice Jonathan started on the bench. For striker, Danny Isaiew, this would be his last game for some weeks due to suspension.

A lively first half saw chances at both ends. Lemar Maycock's pace on the right wing set up Isaiew who swivelled and shot past the keeper only to see the defender head off the line. Lee Wheeler combined well with Isaiew but the resulting cross was over hit. After sharp work from Maycock to set up a corner, Jordan Goddard's cross flew dangerously across the box but no one could apply a finishing touch.

Against the run of play, Didcot took the lead on twenty one minutes. Matty Bennett was adjudged to have fouled Joe Parish on the edge of the box. A cleverly floated ball caught out the defence and John Robinson nipped in unmarked to head home.

Danny Isaiew continued to cause problems for the Didcot back five. After great work from Wheeler and Maycock on the right, his turn and shot was well saved.

Another raid forward from Didcot caused danger in the box but Craig Blissett's well-timed challenge led to a clearance. Paul Prior's reaction to the challenge earned him a yellow card. Another good chance fell to Isaiew as the half ended but his shot flew wide.

Woodley continued to play the better football during the second half. Goddard's delivery from corners and free kicks looked menacing, one cross finding Wheeler on the back post with a header that just missed the near post.

Justice Jonathan replaced Adam King on 55 minutes and his movement and touch made an immediate impression. Wheeler might have won a penalty after getting past his marker while looking for a shot at goal, but he seemed to go down slightly later than the contact. Wheeler's injury from the tackle was enough to see him substituted moments later with Johnny Lamb replacing him. Minutes later, a superb passing movement almost earned an equaliser, Goddard setting up Maycock whose shot was off target.

On 77 minutes, Woodley finally levelled the scores. Jonathan's cross was headed back by Maycock into the path of Mike Alleyne who finished well from close range. Louis Tallett decided to go for the win, replacing a tiring Maycock with Keyron Hylton, in his less familiar position of striker.

In a defining two minute moment, a Jamie Clarke free header from a Didcot corner should have retaken the lead, then Woodley earned a corner at the other end. Goddard's delivery curled towards the keeper but Keyron Hylton got to the ball first nodding it goal wards only for a defender to clear off the line. However, an immediate flag from the linesman advised that the ball was over the line and the goal was awarded.

In a frenetic close to the match, Didcot surged forward leaving gaps for Woodley on the break. Jonathan nearly managed a goal on debut, chipping the keeper only to see the defender clearing off the line yet again.

The referee's whistle sounded to the home side's great relief and finally Woodley Town had secured a league victory. Next up will be Finchampstead at home on Saturday.

Woodley Town: Smith, Davies, Bennett, Alleyne, May, Blissett, Wheeler (Lamb), Goddard, Isaiew, King, (Jonathan). Maycock (Hylton) Sub not used: Palmer

Attendance 30