Defeat for Town

Woodley's eagerly anticipated first home game of the season was against Didcot Town Reserves and the team invited the youth section along for this important day in the club's history with the u6's and u10's leading the team out.

Town were slow out of the blocks and when Richard Thomas misjudged a cross field ball, the winger stole in behind the defence and crossed for Sam Bishop to open the scoring on thirteen minutes.

Bishop scored again two minutes later in almost identical fashion. Adam Jeffrey squandered a chance to reduce the deficit when he could only shoot at Didcot’s keeper Tom Buckner from five yards before Woodley found themselves 3 - 0 down on twenty minutes after another close range finish, this time by Jamie Newport took a deflection to leave Craig Beales with no chance.

Woodley then regained their composure and from a corner, Jim Nightingale headed just over and it was from another corner on twenty three minutes taken by Jeffrey that Woodley pulled a goal back when Thomas atoned for his early error and headed into the net to score his first for the club.

Carl Davies took it upon himself to create something and he showed last seasons hot form by skipping past two defenders and using his strength to hold off their attention, he finished well to make it 3-2. Paul Wilder had an excellent headed chance 8 yards out with know one around him, but he best headerer in the club could not find the target.

Dan Jewell had the last excellent chance of the half as Woodley looked to draw level. Bursting from full back, he took the ball around the keeper, but cut back on his right foot instead of hitting his shot first time and the defence recovered to block the chance.

Woodley came out looking to get a quick equaliser and immediately pushed Didcot back into their half. Didcot had shut up shop and defended well but Woodley still had their chances. Jamie Fairchild hit the post with a volley from a tight angle, Steven Campbell forced a fine save out of the Didcot keeper and the ball did not fall to a Woodley player in the penalty area. It was all Woodley as they pushed players forward as the half went on, but Didcot held on to spoil the opening day party and Woodley paid for their opening twenty minute display.

Beales, Jewell (Baxter), Thomas, Edwards, Nightingale, Breeney (Campbell), Fairchild Hiscock, Wilder (Williams), Davies, Jeffrey Subs not used: Varndell, Morley