League win at last for Kestrels

Chalvey Sports 0 Woodley United 2

WOODLEY finally got off the mark in the league with a hard-fought win at Chalvey.

Jon Laugharne’s men lost all five games to start the Division One East campaign, but had not played a league match for over a month with cup fixtures taking over.

And they picked up all three points in Slough with goals from Leon Mannion and Pablo Fernandez to seal back-to-back wins for the first time in just over a year.

Laugharne made four changes to his side which won at Thatcham Town Development in the Floodlit Cup in midweek as Luke Axton-Hall, Sam Guze, Joseph Sissons and Luke Titcomb dropped out to be replaced by Freddie Barron, Harrison Bowler, Jon Malone and Harry Hawkins.

And Woodley dominated the early stages with captain Teddy Thomas dragging a shot wide before Chace Jewell’s free-kick just missed Adam Barnard.

Kestrels goalkeeper Tom Bryant was then called into action to deny Bryan Taylor while at the other end Mannion, Jewell and Hawkins went close.

The visitors deservedly got in front on 24 minutes through a brilliant Fernandez goal, weaving beyond two challenges before firing in off the post.

That lead was quickly doubled when former Sandhurst Town forward Mannion capitalised on some sloppy defending to score from just inside the box.

Mid-table Chalvey then sparked into life with Bryant called into two saves before Woodley got back on the front foot with scorers Mannion and Fernandez both hitting the target again.

Woodley were continuing to flow forwards and introduced Max Laschok for his debut midway through the second half.

But no further goals came meaning United took home the points to move to within one point of second-bottom Chinnor.

WOODLEY: Bryant, Barron, Hagger, Malone, Bowler, Barnard, Thomas (c), Fernandez, Mannion, Hawkins (Briggs 86),

Jewell (Laschok 67). Subs not used: Alexander, Axton-Hall. Attendance: 39.