MATCH REPORT: 10-man Woodbridge pull off late comeback to claim important win

Woodbridge Town U18s came from behind in dramatic fashion to beat Stowmarket Town U18s 2-1. The Peckers dug in with a player less to come through victorious with two late goals, after Stowmarket had taken the lead early in the second half.

With the Men’s campaign over, all eyes turned to the U18s as they welcomed Stowmarket Town to the Homestyle UK Ground. Coming into this one, both sides were sat down at the bottom end of the table, as they’ve looked to integrate new players into the squads this season. The two youthful sides were pretty even across the ninety minutes, but it would be the Peckers to come out on top in this one.

The game started quietly, with neither side really threatening in the early stages. Brown saw his effort deflected wide for a corner, before a wild attempt from the Stowmarket midfielder went wide a few minutes later. The young Peckers showed bright moments throughout the first half an hour, but were lacking the cutting edge in the final third. 

Wilding was called into action on thirty-three minutes, to palm away a low driven effort from range. Woodbridge captain Dan Southgate would go on to have the closest attempt of the half for the Peckers moments later, as he looked to curl the ball into the far corner. Southgate cut inside well, but the shot dropped just wide of the post.

Woodbridge Town's Zack Wilding in action (Photo: Max Woodward)

The half wouldn’t end well for Woodbridge however, as on the stroke of half-time, the Peckers were reduced to ten men. A fair decision by the referee, and Woodbridge would need to battle hard in the second half to take something from this contest. The half time whistle came shortly after with the game still goalless - Woodbridge Town U18s 0 Stowmarket Town U18s 0.

The visitors were out the blocks quickest in the second half, as they looked to use their man advantage. Another effort was dragged wide in the opening stages, before Stowmarket did find the back of the net on fifty-five minutes. A ball swung in by Stowmarket’s 2 was met with a good header at the back post to put the away side ahead. It was a nice move from the visitors, who did well to capitalise on a slow-starting Woodbridge.

 Despite a difficult start, the Peckers would respond ten minutes later, as Dan Southgate was slipped in behind the Stowmarket defence. From a tight angle, the Woodbridge captain did well to burst past his man and slot the ball into the far corner. It was a great response from the young Peckers, who had been up against it for the majority of the play up until that point.

Woodbridge took momentum from the equaliser, and sparked into life following the goal. The Peckers thought they had found a second on seventy-seven minutes, after an effort from the edge of the area was deflected past the goalkeeper. But, the flag went up on the near side, with Woodbridge players deemed to be interfering in an offside position. 

The teams would be levelled up at 10 each with a minute left of the ninety, as the Stowmarket goalkeeper handled the ball outside his area, denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. After a quick chat with his assistant, the referee produced the red card for the second time in the game and dismissed Stowmarket’s number one. An outfield player for the visitors would take the gloves for the final minutes - a job that no one volunteers to take.

Woodbridge kept the pressure on and were rewarded in the last minute, as a Cam Welton corner wasn’t dealt with by Stowmarket and found its way over the line. A great delivery from Welton, which caused problems for the defence and was turned home into their own net by the visitors. A massive goal for the young Peckers, who did well to comeback superbly with a player less. Full time, Woodbridge Town U18s 2 Stowmarket Town U18s 1.

Thank you to everyone who came up to support the young Peckers on Thursday, it truly is appreciated. There’s a lot of potential in the young squad, with six U16 players featuring in this victory - a testament to the quality coming through the ranks. The second game of the Stowmarket double header is this Saturday, as the U23s welcome them back to the Homestyle UK Ground. Let’s get behind the youth teams as they close out their seasons and, as always, UP THE PECKERS!