MATCH REPORT: Woodbridge Town held at home by AFC Kesgrave after close contest

Woodbridge Town Ladies extended their unbeaten run over AFC Kesgrave on Sunday, as the Peckers claimed a valuable point against the 2nd placed side. Despite taking the lead twice, Woodbridge were pegged back by the visitors each time to see a well-contested affair end 2-2.

With only two other teams in league action last weekend in the SGWFL Premiership, Sunday presented Woodbridge Town a chance to catch up to the sides above. One of those teams sat higher than the Peckers in the table is AFC Kesgrave, who came to the Homestyle UK Ground on an eight-game unbeaten streak. A good battle was expected, and that’s exactly what we got between two teams evenly matched in quality.

It was a lightning start from Woodbridge, who put the visitors under pressure immediately with the ball in behind. A nice give-and-go between Amy Stockley and Rhianna Kiwomya saw Kiwomya through on goal after just two minutes, but the shot was wide of the mark. 

Just four minutes later, Kiwomya was put through again, this time getting clipped by the AFC Kesgrave centre half in the box for a Woodbridge penalty. Up stepped Stockley, who left the keeper rooted to the spot, and put the Peckers in front - the perfect start.

Rhianna Kiwomya netted her sixth goal of the season (Photo: Max Woodward)

The Woodbridge lead didn’t last long though, as with ten minutes on the clock, an AFC Kesgrave corner wasn’t cleared by the Peckers. The ball pinballed around the area before being prodded home by Isla Romer-Lee for her 12th goal of the season. A very frustrating goal to concede for Woodbridge, who really should’ve dealt with the initial ball in.

Overall, both sides had started the game strongly. The Peckers had more of the ball in the opening encounters, but the threat of the AFC Kesgrave frontline was prominent. It would be Woodbridge to retake the advantage though on twenty-three minutes, as Stockley once again found Rhianna Kiwomya in behind the Kesgrave backline. Despite a heavy first touch, Kiwomya beat the goalkeeper to the ball and poked it into the net to reinstate the hosts’ lead.

It was a nervy end to the first half though for Woodbridge, with AFC Kesgrave growing into the contest. Eloisa Bruce was called into action a couple times, first to halt Evie-Jae Laughlin in her tracks, and then to produce a strong diving save down to her left to deny Ella Wright. The visitors went close again on the stroke of half time, as an effort from range hit the top of the bar and bounced over. It would be the Peckers with the lead at the break, Woodbridge Town 2 AFC Kesgrave 1.

Woodbridge Town's Eloisa Bruce

The Woodpeckers knew they needed to be quick out the blocks after losing momentum at the end of the first half, but it would be the visitors to start fastest and level the game on fifty-three minutes. A ball over the top was latched onto by former Woodbridge Town striker Evie-Jae Laughlin, who lifted the ball superbly over the head of Bruce and into the back of the net. A very tidy goal from a player bang in form, and the game was level once again.

With the sides level at 2-2, it really could’ve been anyone’s game in the final thirty minutes. Both sides had half chances but nothing clear cut, and the match had just slowed down in spells - the two teams trying to balance risk vs reward of winning or losing such a crucial game.

It must be said that AFC Kesgrave looked stronger as time went on, and Woodbridge were under a lot of pressure in the final 15 minutes. Laughlin got in behind again, but this time lofted her effort narrowly over the bar. A let off for the Peckers, who needed to shut down that threat before it caught them out.

The away side had the biggest chance to win it late on, as a nice move down the left hand side was worked across the box, picking out the AFC Kesgrave winger with time and space in the area. She turned and shot goalwards, only to be denied by a brilliant save from Eloisa Bruce. The Peckers goalkeeper came up big again and kept her side level.

The final whistle would soon follow, with nothing to separate the two sides. A very good contest between two strong sides ended, Woodbridge Town 2 AFC Kesgrave 2

Woodbridge Town XI: Eloisa Bruce, Evie Swanton, Lauren Jacobs, Alice Ager (C), Caitlin Howe, Grace Murphy, Shannon Green, Kim Stock (Lola Beaumont 45’), Freya Emerick (Sadie Jamieson 45’), Amy Stockley, Rhianna Kiwomya.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Ladies this weekend, it is appreciated as always. The Peckers are in action twice this week, with a trip to league leaders AFC Sudbury Reserves on Friday, followed by a home fixture against Kesgrave Kestrels. Every match is massive for the final table position, so let’s get behind the side and, as always, UP THE PECKERS!

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