KESTRELS ENSURED SAFETY DESPITE LOSS TO CHAMPIONS

WOODLEY UNITED went down to a heavy defeat having put in a promising first-half shift against league champions London Lions.

Visiting the champions, a young United saw a number of players playing in unfamiliar roles due to unavailability through injury and suspension and can be pleased with a first half display that was competitive and saw the opening goal scored in the

38th minute.

From the kick off, left back Reece Probert saw a long cross into the Lions penalty area go out of play at the far post which was United’s story of the half that saw chances created but home keeper Josh Samberg rarely troubled due to off target shots or straight at him.

Equally the hosts were also guilty of wasting opportunities.

The only goal of the first half was scored by Max Kyte who outjumped Caleb Lucas to a Sam Goldberg cross and then react quickest to the loose ball to steer the ball in to the net from close range.

Ten minutes into the second half, the hosts extended their lead when Austin Lipman was allowed to reach the goal line and put a low cross into Woodley’s six yard box where Felix Shalom got between two defenders to poke the ball over the line.

Probert was immediately called upon to clear the ball from his goal line as Lions began to find their stride with Woodley’s best response being Archie Swell forcing Samberg to save in the 66th minute.

The third goal came after 68 minutes following the visitors’ failing to clear a free kick that allowed substitute Zan Appleson-Fidler to score a poacher’s goal with his first touch of the ball with the fourth three minutes later when Lipman was found unmarked by Kyte in the penalty area to have an unchallenged dot on goal.

United regained composure but were to concede two further goals in the last four minutes to Lipman and Shalom.

With Bagshot also losing United are assured of Step six football next season with two games remaining and have a cup quarter final to look forward to in May.

Woodley United: Gray, Mitreski, Probert, Monteiro (Hudell), Gough, Carmichael, Lucas (Akintola), Brown, Brandao, Besidonne, Swell