MATCH PREVIEW: Woodbridge Town vs Downham Town

Ryan Marsh in action vs Kirkley & Pakefield (Photo: Max Woodward)

Woodbridge Town are looking for back-to-back home victories, as the Peckers welcome Downham Town to the Homestyle UK Ground. With the buzz of Tuesday’s last-minute winner still hanging around the club, Woodbridge will be confident of taking something away from this clash.

It’s been a solid start to the 26/27 Thurlow Nunn Premier Division season for the Woodpeckers, with two promising performances to begin the campaign. After being narrowly beaten by Dereham Town on the opening day, before seeing off Kirkley & Pakefield 2-1 on Tuesday, Woodbridge sit 11th in the table.

Saturday’s visitors are Downham Town, who were relegated from the Isthmian North Division last season after finishing 20th. After a big summer rebuild, they’ll be hoping to deliver a strong campaign and make a swift return to Step 4. Downham will certainly provide a good test for the Woodpeckers this weekend.

Mark Ray (left) celebrating with Jordan Matthews (Photo: Max Woodward)

Match Details

Date: Saturday 1st August

Kick-off time: 3pm

Venue: Homestyle UK Ground, Woodbridge

Our opposition 

After a good run of form as interim manager at the end of last season, Craig Dickson was appointed permanent manager of the club. 

It’s been a good start to the season for Downham, taking 4 points from their opening two games. A well-fought 1-1 draw away at Cornard United was followed up by an emphatic 1-4 victory over Heacham. 

Shaun Avis is the player to watch for the visitors this weekend, with the Downham striker looking in fine touch to start the campaign. Avis netted the equaliser against Cornard, and scored a tidy brace against Heacham.

Woodbridge Town's Zach Gayfer (Photo: Max Woodward)

What to expect

The Peckers will want to take the momentum from Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Kirkley & Pakefield, where goals from Jordan Matthews and Zach Gayfer guided us to victory in Liam Scopes’ first home game in charge. For the full match report from our dramatic win, click here. 

This is the first meeting between the two sides since the 24/25 season, where Woodbridge beat the visitors 4-2 at home, before falling to a narrow 1-0 loss on the road. The two sides also traded wins in the season before, showing how this clash could really go either way.

If the Peckers are to take something from this game, it’ll need to be a controlled and clinical display. Mark Ray is always a threat to the opposition, as he looks to add to his opening day goal. 

Mackenzie Travis has looked dangerous in his first two games after impressing in pre-season, and Andy Crowe will hope to continue his strong scoring run against Downham, having scored 2 in his last 3 games against Saturday’s opponents. 

Andy Crowe in action on Tuesday night (Photo: Max Woodward)

WTFC Matchday coverage

To view today's Match Programme, click here.

Live updates: If you aren’t attending the game, live match updates will be provided on X, with scoreline updates also available on Instagram and Facebook.

Post-match: Catch clips and photos from the game across our socials, as well as a match report available on the website the following day.

New signing Cameron Young in action (Photo: Max Woodward)

Our supporters

After a great first home game of the season, we look forward to seeing another great crowd this Saturday - your support never goes unnoticed. Let’s hope to continue our positive start to the season with another win this weekend. 

UP THE PECKERS!