GOALLESS FOR WOODLEY, VICTORY FOR BERKS
WOODLEY United’s final game of the year proved to be a third successive draw and a well-deserved point in a close goalless draw against Rising Ballers Kensington.
In a match with few scoring opportunities for either side, much of the play was confined to midfield and wings.
The match was switched to Burnham FC’s ground due to waterlogging at Scours Lane, and it was Woodley who created the first chance in the third minute.
Good play be Kevin DeBarros and Connor Richardson saw the ball played across the hosts’ penalty area, where the unmarked Mo Davies drove a shot wide of goal.
Ballers had then had two half chances in as many minutes when a shot was put over the crossbar following Woodley’s wall blocking a free kick and Tyler Hayles, after beating Kaser Chowdhary saw his shot blocked and cleared.
Sixteen minutes into the half, DeBarros saw his free kick spilled by keeper Fabio Suarez but cleared before Woodley could capitalise on the error.
A quick free-kick caught Woodley out, but Killian Barrett was able to make a save using his feet, while shortly afterwards Hayles saw another free kick blocked by Woodley’s wall.
After this initial activity, the game settled into a pattern of midfield play and it was not until the 41st minute that the next attempt at goal came, which saw Ballers shoot wide of the visitors’ goal.
This was followed by Mackenzie Creech having his shot blocked on the edge of the hosts’ penalty area, and Kushon Lewis-Thomas finishing the half with a mazy run – only to shoot weakly and wide of Barrett’s goal.
The opening 20 minutes of the second half saw Woodley withstand continuous pressure, with Ballers moving the ball quickly on the 3G surface.
Apart from Hayles forcing a save from Barrett and Sangjoon Baek shooting wide, the visitors stood firm.
Woodley introduced Will Mabukwa after 70 minutes, whose pace began to cause Ballers’ problems and enabled Woodley to play higher up the pitch as the home team defended deeper.
This, in turn, resulted in play becoming stretched with both teams looking to attack quickly via counter attacks and being caught offside.
Creech shot wide shortly before the end of normal time, as did Ballers’ Abdel Mouman Sahnoun, but despite nine minutes of added time either team could break the deadlock. Woodley United: Barrett, Davies,
■ Berks County maintained their push for promotion from Division One of the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Division One with an entertaining 2-1 win against fellow promotion challengers Langley at Ascot United’s Racecourse ground.
County made it five wins from their last five league outings, with all the goals Carmichael, Creech, Chowdhary, Hok, DeBarros (G Smith), Brandao, Johnson-McNally (Mabukwa), Manneh, Richardson. Subs not used: Massaquoi, Bossman, Ojong coming in what was an often frenetic first 45 minutes.
■ Three points for the Boars Eversley & California remained on the fringe of the promotion play-off zone thanks to a 2-1 win over Holmer Green.
Goals from Matt Laschok after 8 minutes and Mitchel Cooper after 48 minutes secured the three points, with Luca Clark replying for the visitors on 18 minutes.
The Boars travel to struggling Spartans Youth on Saturday.