Thank "evans" for Charley's strike

On a wet afternoon that made for difficult playing conditions, a second half thirty yard strike from Charley Evans was enough to give Woodley all three points and leave them needing to win their final game of the season this coming Sunday (15th) at second placed Wargrave to secure the league title.

As with the two previous games between the sides this season the hosts relied on getting the ball forward quickly and looking to use the pace of forwards of Rachel Allwright and Cheryl Williams to create goal scoring opportunities. This worked to good effect in the first with Woodley enjoying the greater possession but Barton the better chances with Allwright being denied by Nicole Haines when one on one and then firing over the cross bar with just the United keeper to beat.

In between while, Alice Cooke worked tirelessly in defence while Shelby Preston-Morris enjoyed a good game, in her first start for the team which saw her move to centre back at the start of the second half to replace the injured Ellen Surtees.

As the pitch deteriorated mistakes started to be made with both keepers’ spilling the ball but seeing it cleared by defenders before the opposition could react. The single goal of the game came in the fifty ninth minute when Evans found herself in space and with home keeper Georgina Smithers off her line, fired the ball into the roof of the net for her first Woodley United goal.

Rosie Page-Smith was denied by the upright and also saw a free kick just go over the cross bar as Woodley asserted their advantage. However, it needed Haines to make a double save from Allwright to ensure the win late in the game that saw six minutes stoppage time played.

The win secures at least runners-up spot with Woodley three points clear of Wargrave who have played one game less and have an inferior goal difference to United.

N Haines, Preston-Morris (Ward), Wilkins, Master, Cooke, Surtees (Edwards, Hochmuth), Penny, Pearson, Page-Smith, Evans, Hamblin Sub not used Lowther