Kestrels cup hopes are over

Crawley Green 7 Woodley United 1

WOODLEY’S FA Cup journey came to an abrupt end at the first hurdle with a heavy defeat in Luton.

Competing in the historic competition for just the second year, the Kestrels got off to a dream start in the extra preliminary round clash when Liam Wilson (pictured) put them ahead.

But hosts Crawley Green stormed back with seven unanswered goals to romp to victory with Woodley’s cause not helped by an injury to goalkeeper Calum Ellis-Jones.

Looking to rebound from the 6-4 opening league defeat to Abingdon Town the previous week, Jon Laugharne’s men knew they were in for a tough afternoon against a side who compete at a level above in the league pyramid.

But the visitors began brightly with Kai Parton-Edey twice going close early on.

And the deadlock was broken on 18 minutes in bizarre fashion. Kestrels keeper EllisJones’ long kick was gathered by his opposite number Nick Gardner, who unaware of those around him dropped the ball at the feet of Wilson to prod home.

Undeterred by falling behind, Crawley Green were ahead by half-time after goals from Sam Pemberton and Danny Watson.

Despite only trailing by a solitary goal, Woodley were left with a mountain to climb after the restart when EllisJones was forced off following an earlier clash with Watson, meaning Parton-Edey had to take the gloves in goal.

And the stand-in stopper was quickly beaten when Oluwanimilo Ajigbolamu bagged his first of three secondhalf strikes.

Substitutes Conor Waite and Brandon Carney also found the net to rack the score up to 7-1 with Wilson firing off target in Woodley’s only real chance of note after the restart.

United now have two weeks off before visiting Chertsey Town in the FA Vase on September 1.

WOODLEY: Ellis-Jones (Briggs 46), Edwards, Hagger, Clark, McCormack, Titcomb, Thomas (Freeth 66), Parris, Parton-Edey, Wilson, Jewell (Brown 78). Subs not used: Simpson, Morgan.