Woodley outclassed by Step Four Fleet Town

After five consecutive away matches, Woodley returned to Rivermoor on Tuesday to face Fleet Town in the quarter finals of the Aldershot Senior Cup. The visitors, who play two divisions higher than United, dominated the first forty five minutes scoring four without reply before a much more even second half saw Woodley pull one back through Freddie Barron.

United carved out the game’s first chance thirty seconds after kicking off when a shot from distance missed to the left.

Town, then took control of the game. Full back Joe Wilson failed to hit the target before testing debutant Dominic Jones with a well hit shot from a tight angle on the right.

Jones then did well to keep out an Enow Ojong strike as the hosts were pegged back. In the next attack, Fleet went ahead when a left-wing corner resulted in a goal mouth scramble that ended with Ronan Silva prodding in.

Looking for a response Pablo Fernandez missed to the left for the hosts whilst Silva shot over from outside the box. Thirty five minutes in, Town doubled their lead courtesy of some fine wing play by Brad Wilson. Cutting in from the left at full speed, he evaded a challenge before finding the right corner from inside the box.

Six minutes later it was three when Brad Wilson turned provider for Sam Williams who tucked home a low left wing cross.

United were struggling to find any rhythm. The closest they came was a Fernandez free kick that went narrowly over.

The half ended with the away side getting a fourth in slightly fortuitous circumstances when a clipped ball from the left saw Ojong challenge Jones for the ball on the edge of the box. With neither player getting much contact on the ball it broke to Ojong who turned and rolled into an empty net.

HT Woodley United 0-4 Fleet Town

Woodley came out for the second half fired up. Striker Max Laschok had a shot blocked whilst a nice move started by Laschok saw a pass to Fernandez who in turn found Ed Thomas who beat his man before seeing his shot well blocked.

Fleet’s first chance of the half fell to left back Dan Framp who forced another good save from Jones after taking possession of the ball from Brad Wilson.

Laschok created the game’s next opportunity through sheer perseverance, chasing down every ball. Winning the ball off a defender, he drove forward and was still able to force a save despite being surrounded by Town players.

United made a change on fifty seven minutes when Thomas made way for Barron. The change paid off immediately as Barron timed his run perfectly to latch onto a through ball before placing an unstoppable effort in off the left post. Great finish.

The second half performance was really encouraging. Laschok forced Fleet keeper Harvey White into a smart stop as Woodley fought on. A second change was made on sixty three minutes when Joe Sissons replaced Luke Axton-Hall before a final change eight minutes later as Chace Jewell came on for Fernandez.

Moments after the change there were strong appeals for a penalty when Laschok was on the end of a hefty challenge in the box. Waving the play on, the referee incensed the United bench.

Town were soaking up the Woodley pressure and looking to hit them on the counter. This nearly paid off when Jones denied Brad Wilson a second.

The match ended with United’s three centre midfielders involved in chances. Sam Wood’s cross was a fraction in front of Harry Hawkins who couldn’t bring the ball under control in the box whilst Adam Barnard headed wide a Jewell corner at the death.

FT Woodley United 1-4 Fleet Town