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Woodley Town v Newbury

27 December 2011
Hellenic League Cup, Second Round
Woodley Town 2 Newbury 2 aet, Woodley won 4-3 on penalties (att 72)

Woodley play in Division One East of the Hellenic League, a "step 6" league and so in theory one that should be subject to similar minimum ground grading standards as other step six leagues across England. Quite how Woodley's East Park Farm ground ticks the ground graders boxes is anyone's guess, even taking into account the Hellenic League's lax track record when it comes to facilities.

One side and one end of the pitch is enclosed by a wooden fence, the far side is roped off, with temporary-looking dugouts, while the far end is open. There's no facilities for spectators, and you only have to pay for admission if you're honest enough to walk over to a table where club officials sold programmes and hot drinks.

That said, everyone at the club was very friendly, and I guess the ground was adequate even for today's higher than usual attendance.

League leaders Newbury would have been favourites to win this, but they made heavy weather of an even first half. The turning point was a red card for a Newbury player late in the first half, deserved if what I was told he'd said to the referee was accurate. A defensive error in the half's closing moments gave Woodley the lead.

They held the lead until stoppage time, but paid for missed chances when Newbury converted a penalty to take us into extra time. Although a good game, I didn't welcome an extra 30 minutes, given the falling temperatures and the lengthy drive home.

A goal each in extra time, Newbury again equalising right at the end, meant a penalty shoot out. Newbury had a chance to win but the crucial penalty was saved, before Woodley won in sudden death, to earn a third round tie at Premier Division Shortwood United.





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