Match Report: Watlington 0 Woodcote 3

WATLINGTON TOWN 0 WOODCOTE 3

The Woodcote juggernaut rolls on towards what they hope will be the title in Division 2 (East) of the Hellenic League.

In this South Oxon derby the result almost certainly ended any title hopes for the home side who had defeated the visitors at Woodcote and have been amongst the front-runners for most of the season.

In a bad-tempered match the first-half was full of incident, but not much goalmouth action and no goals. Most of the action revolved around the referee who found himself handing out yellow cards to both sides and in the dying minutes of the half he showed a straight red to Woodcote skipper, Tommy Chapman, for a reckless sliding tackle.

Watlington, with the advantage of the strong wind, had two first-half chances, both of which brought good saves from Steve McMullen. Woodcote were restricted to one clear chance and were unlucky to see Toby Nowell’s deflected shot rebound off the upright into the keeper’s hands.

In the second-half Watlington might have expected to exploit their numerical advantage, but in the event, it was the ten-men who dominated and took the lead after 55 minutes when Toby Nowell, right back to his sharpest form, converted Ryan Corbett’s corner at the near post.

Three minutes later, it was that man Nowell again who added to the lead. Keeper, Steve McMullen, launched a long ball, Jake Dillon’s flick-header was perfect to pierce the defence and leave Nowell in space. The finish was cool and unerring. Try as they might, Watlington were unable to get any sort of foothold in the game and it was no surprise when Woodcote made it 3-0 after 75 minutes.

Man-of-the-match, Toby Nowell, left defenders in his wake to the left of the goal and might have gone for his hat-trick, but instead he pulled the ball back neatly to provide the excellent Joe Webber with an easy finish.

In the dying minutes Watlington forced Steve McMullen into two more smart saves, but the day was deservedly Woodcote’s.