MATCH REPORT: Santa De La Paz strike proves decisive as Peckers fall to FA Cup defeat

Woodbridge Town's Mackenzie Travis battling with Ethan Garcia (Photo: Max Woodward)

Woodbridge Town are out of the Emirates FA Cup after a narrow 0-1 defeat to Felixstowe & Walton United in the Preliminary Round. A first-half goal from Jose Santa De La Paz was enough to send the Seasiders through to the next round.

Felixstowe started the game on the front foot, winning an early corner inside the opening five minutes. The set piece was taken short, with Luke Allen’s cross being headed over by Josh Mayhew. 

Woodbridge did well to respond to the early pressure, taking the pace out of the game and making it difficult for Felixstowe to find any rhythm. Rhys Barber put in an important intervention to deny the Seasiders from close range on 25 minutes, before Hurst produced a solid stop to keep the game level.

Woodbridge Town's Taylor Southgate with Will Jones (Photo: Max Woodward)

The best chance for Felixstowe came in the 31st minute, as a lofted ball from the left was flicked back across goal by Jose Santa De La Paz. The cutback found Mayhew, who poked the ball narrowly over the bar.

Santa De La Paz thought he’d put the Seasiders ahead on 36 minutes, after a tidy finish from a tight angle, but the flag went up for offside. Felixstowe were really ramping up the pressure as the half went on.

The Woodpeckers looked to have done enough to get into the break all square, but on 45 minutes, a long ball caught out the Woodbridge backline and bounced through into Santa De La Paz, who fired the ball into the bottom corner. Half time, Woodbridge Town 0 Felixstowe & Walton United 1.

Credit (@Felixseasiders on X)

It was frustrating for the Peckers to concede a minute away from the break, after a solid defensive performance. Woodbridge reacted incredibly well from the interval, and a strong second half display gave Felixstowe something to think about.

An early corner for the Woodpeckers created the best chance for the hosts so far, as the deep cross was met at the back post by Taylor Southgate, who was denied by a great save from Harry Wright.

The second half continued with Woodbridge digging in to keep the game tight, but Felixstowe remained comfortable despite a one goal lead. Mayhew headed over again for the Seasiders in the 60th minute, before Toby Hurst produced another great stop to deny Josh Hitter from a free kick.

Mason Harvey on the ball (Photo: Max Woodward)

Woodbridge would make things difficult for Felixstowe as the game closed out, making an uncomfortable finish for the Step 4 side. A few half chances came and went for the Peckers, with substitutes Marsh and Ventura both having efforts blocked.

The Peckers thought they had levelled 3 minutes from time, as a brilliant flick on from Gayfer picked out Mark Ray in the area. After his initial effort was blocked, the ball fell back to Ray who poked it just past the post. A huge chance, and Woodbridge were inches away from a level game.

With 94 minutes on the clock, a deep ball from the right was swung towards Barber, who appeared to be dragged down in the box by the Felixstowe defender. The referee waved away the Woodbridge appeals, and that would be that for this cup tie. Full time, Woodbridge Town 0 Felixstowe & Walton 1.

Isaac Ventura striking towards goal (Photo: Max Woodward)

It was a valiant performance from the lads against a side in the division above, pushing Felixstowe all the way until the last minute. It was another promising performance under new manager Liam Scopes, showing the quality and potential within this squad.

A deserved win for Felixstowe, and their first victory of the season as they look to get their campaign back on track. We wish them the best of luck for the rest of the season.

The Teams

Woodbridge Town: Toby Hurst, Ross Mcguire (Zach Gayfer 79’), Mason Harvey, Taylor Southgate, Sean Rea (C) (Billy Jordan 79’), Rhys Barber, Andy Crowe, Josh Goodwin (Isaac Ventura 85’), Mark Ray, Jordan Matthews, Mackenzie Travis (Ryan Marsh 75’)

Felixstowe & Walton United: Harry Wright, Ethan Garcia (Max Statham 85’), Toby Stevenson, Billy Holland (C), Joe Whight, Jack Ainsley, Luke Allen (Josh Hitter 61’), Will Jones, Josh Mayhew, Jose Santa De La Paz (Callum Harrison 85’), Lester Ward (Tom Warren 76’)

Toby Hurst was awarded Woodbridge Town's Player of the Match

Our supporters

Thank you to all 371 supporters who came to get behind the lads in this tricky cup tie. It was a good test against strong opposition, and your support from the start really makes a difference. The Peckers are back in action on Tuesday, as they make the trip to Kirkley & Pakefield.

The Men's side may now be out of the FA Cup, but our Ladies’ team begin their campaign tomorrow in the Women’s FA Cup at home to Needham Market, 2pm kick off. With a new manager and squad, it would be great to see as many of you as possible getting behind the side going into the new season. 

UP THE PECKERS!