MATCH REPORT: Late Downham double sees Woodbridge fall to defeat at home
- Woodbridge Town
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
Woodbridge Town were edged out in a tight affair as Downham Town found two goals in the last 15 minutes to take the three points on the road. The visitors showed that extra bit of quality to turn what looked to be a certain draw into an important win.
It was a very even start to the contest, with the two sides trading possession throughout the opening stages. Both teams looked comfortable on the ball, and neither side really threatened, with a lack of goalmouth action to kick things off.
Woodbridge had a half chance on 12 minutes, as a lofted pass from Jordan Matthews found Laurie Higgs in space down the right hand side. The Woodbridge full-back swung the ball towards the box, where the onrushing Mason Harvey met it. Harvey timed the run well but failed to connect with the ball properly and dragged the effort wide.
Tobi Lawal was a big threat on Downham’s left, a player with strong pace and power, and good with the ball at his feet. He darted inside brilliantly on a few occasions, but Higgs did well to run him out of road and stop the final ball.
The visitors started to get on top as the game went on, and Toby Hurst was forced into a brilliant save in the 21st minute. Downham top goalscorer Shaun Avis turned the ball over high up the pitch, and picked out Nathan Davies on the edge. Davies curled a lovely effort towards the top corner, and Hurst did incredibly well to tip it over the bar.
The next 15 minutes went by with not much to write home about, as neither side had any real opportunities to note. Both teams were still getting on the ball, but it was Downham who looked much more dangerous when they came forward. The Peckers were doing well to keep the score level in the first half.
And the main reason for that was Toby Hurst, as he pulled off another huge stop on 37 minutes, getting down well to his right to turn the ball round the post. The Woodbridge goalkeeper was keeping his side in the game with some fantastic saves throughout the contest.
The half-time whistle came soon after, with the score level. Some big stops from Hurst in the first 45, with the Peckers not creating any real chances of their own. Still in the contest, but it felt that the visitors looked more likely to find a winner. Woodbridge Town 0 Downham Town 0.
Woodbridge came out the blocks strongly in the second half, with two good chances in quick succession. The first came down the left hand side, as a great run from Travis opened up the pitch, as he found Andy Crowe with his pass. Crowe held the ball well before turning and firing across goal. The shot rolled just past the post, and inches away from the left foot of the onrushing Luke Mallett.
The second would fall to Mackenzie Travis, as brilliant pressure from Woodbridge won the ball back high up the pitch. Matthews picked out Travis with a tidy pass through to his feet, with the Woodbridge winger firing hard and low into the side netting. Much better from the Peckers to start the second 45.
A cycle of substitutions slowed proceedings down as the half carried on, and apart from a wide effort from Downham’s Lawal, there wasn’t much action for either goalkeeper. The game reached the final 15 minutes, and this contest looked destined to finish 0-0.
The game-changing moment came in the 74th minute, as Downham worked the ball well down the left hand side. Lawal laid it into Luke Reed in the box, who was brought down by the recovering Marsh for a Downham penalty. Up stepped Shaun Avis, whose spot kick crashed off the underside of the bar and into the back of the net.
Downham would seal the victory 10 minutes later, as after an initial effort from Matt Blackford was saved well by Hurst, the rebound was converted by Eoin Mcquaid. Woodbridge’s defensive efforts couldn’t quite hang on to a point, and the quality in front of goal from the visitors came through in the end. Full time, Woodbridge Town 0 Downham Town 2
What it means
Woodbridge are now 13th in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, having taken three points from the opening three games. Despite the results, the performances have been encouraging, as this new-look squad under Liam Scopes start to get used to one another.
Downham Town sit 2nd in the table, with 2 wins and a draw, showing their quality and desire to bounce back to Step 4 as quickly as possible.
The Teams
Woodbridge Town: Toby Hurst, Laurie Higgs, Mason Harvey, Cameron Young (Isaac Ventura 70’), Billy Jordan, Rhys Barber, Mackenzie Travis (Ivan Costa 83’), Kie Dyer (Zach Gayfer 75’), Andy Crowe (C), Jordan Matthews, Luke Mallett (Ryan Marsh 58’)
Downham Town: Charlie Congreve, George Hutton (Jack Noble 56’), Luke Reed, Nick Castellan, Matt Castellan, Ashton Thorrold, Ben Terry (Luke Gray 78’), Nathan Davies, Shaun Avis, Eoin Mcquaid, Tobi Lawal (Matt Blackford 84’)
What’s next?
No league action for the Peckers for a couple weeks now, as we face Heacham FC at home in the FA Cup EP Round next Saturday, before taking on Lakenheath FC in the FA Vase - also at the Homestyle UK Ground.
Thank you for your support this weekend; we go again next Saturday!
UP THE PECKERS!