Sharples sparkles as Woodcote sweep aside derby rivals

THE wet weather once again took its toll on last Saturday’s fixtures with matches in every division being postponed.

In the Premier Division, WOODCOTE ran out 4-1 winners in their derby clash at GORING UNITED in a match that drew a large crowd to the Sheepcot Recreation Ground.

Goring started on the front foot, but Woodcote soon settled and missed what looked an easy chance on four minutes.

Woodcote took the lead after eight minutes. Fraser Sharples’s shot brought a good save from the home keeper at the expense of a corner. Mark Spruyt’s kick from the corner was headed home by Tommy Brownlow.

Play was even after the goal with keepers at both ends producing good saves. On 38 minutes Goring equalised when Alec Curtis, in attempting to clear, deflected the ball into his own net.

Just before the interval there was a loud Woodcote appeal for a penalty as Sharples appeared to be tripped but the referee waved play on.

Goring started the second period strongly and Curtis atoned for his earlier mistake by producing an athletic goal-line clearance. Woodcote soon calmed any nerves by taking the lead on 48 minutes. A low cross from the right by Toby Nowell found Sharples near the left-hand upright, his first shot was parried by the keeper, but he made no mistake from the rebound.

Woodcote increased their lead on 55 minutes when, after clever play from Nowell, the ball came to Ben Rusher who fired home a low shot through a crowded penalty area for 3-1.

Goring attempted to get back into the game, but their play tended to be over-elaborate while Woodcote’s more direct style suited the conditions better and in Sharples, the visitors had the game’s best player as the home defence could not cope with his pace and trickery.

After substitute Henry Leadbetter-Hart received a straight red card, Goring were unable to make use of their numerical superiority, although Woodcote keeper Ben Lallament was called on to make one more good save.

With time running out Goring were awarded a free kick just inside their own area and the keeper came forward to launch the ball into the Woodcote box. The kick was cleared upfield and with the keeper miles off his line, the ball reached substitute Sam Primmer, 35 yards from goal, and he coolly lobbed it over the keeper into the empty net to make the final score 4-1.