Woodcote undone by conditions and congested schedule

WOODCOTE’S squad was stretched to the limit on Tuesday night last week where they suffered defeats in both first team and development team fixtures.

The first team lost 2-1 to Holyport Reserves in the Thames Valley Premier Leuage Premier Division while the development team lost 2-0 to Thame United Reserves in the quarter-final of the Oxfordshire Intermediate Cup.

Both matches were played in persistent heavy rain and took place despite strong representations over the previous 10 days regarding availability problems created by being ordered to field two teams on the same evening.

At Holyport, Woodcote fell behind by 2-0 on a pitch which the visitors felt was unplayable from the start. Toby Nowell was denied an early goal when his shot appeared to cross the line but wasn’t given by the officials. Woodcote did pull one back through Mark Spruyt before half-time.

In farcical second-half conditions there were chances to get points from the match, but the visitors’ finishing was wayward.

At Thame, against Hellenic League Division 1 opposition, the pitch was in good condition and held up well in driving rain. Woodcote fought a brave rearguard action with keeper Oli Pereria, pulling off several fine saves, and the score might have been higher but for some wayward shooting by the home team.

Thame took the lead a minute before half time but did not score again until eight minutes from the end, while Woodcote were unable to create any clear-cut scoring chances.