MATCH REPORT: Woodbridge suffer shootout heartbreak as Peckers let 2-0 lead slip

Woodbridge Town U23s are out of the Chell Trophy after losing to Stanway Rovers on penalties. The visitors came from 2 goals down to level the game, and eventually progressed to the last four from the penalty spot.

The Chell Trophy Quarter-Final took centre stage at the Homestyle UK Ground, as after being postponed once before, Tuesday night finally saw Woodbridge take on Stanway Rovers for a Semi-Final place. With the Peckers already knocking out the holders, this felt like a chance to continue their good run and go one step closer to silverware. The young Peckers, however, learnt just how harsh knockout football can really be.

As expected, it was a nervy start to the contest, with neither side really getting the ball down and having consistent possession. But, as the game went on, it was Woodbridge who settled quickest and started to knock the ball around well. On 18 minutes, this was solidified with the Peckers taking the advantage, as Nassir Dines-Ferrarge poked the ball past the keeper to give Woodbridge a 1-0 lead. A deserved goal for the lads, who had been the better side up to that point.

The game evened out as the half went on, but it still remained a relatively quiet half for Bolsover in the Woodbridge net. It looked like the sides would go into the break at 1-0, until Dines-Ferrarge picked the ball up again, beat his man and drilled a sweet strike into the far corner. A double for the Woodbridge winger, and the young Peckers went into the break leading by 2 goals to nil. The lads were in control of the tie, and were only 45 minutes away from the last four.

It didn’t take long for Stanway Rovers to get back into the contest, as a slow start from Woodbridge allowed the visitors to score within a minute of the second half getting underway. An error at the back allowed the Rovers striker to prod the ball into the net to pull one back for the travelling side. Poor out of the blocks from the Peckers, and they were punished for it almost immediately. The game ebbed and flowed, with both sides having good spells as the half went on. 75 minutes played, and Woodbridge still led 2-1.

The equaliser for the away side came with 10 minutes to play, as a complete mix up at the back left Bolsover stranded, and Stanway lifted the ball into an empty goal to level the Quarter-Final at 2 goals apiece. A really frustrating way for the Peckers to let the lead slip, and the visitors did enough to take advantage and get themselves back in the contest. Woodbridge went agonisingly close to retaking the lead, as a 92nd minute corner fell to Rhys Barber, but no one could turn it home in the goal-mouth scramble. The final whistle went, and this cup tie would be decided from the penalty spot.

Both sides netted their first penalties, followed by a big save from Bolsover to deny Stanway’s second. But, with Woodbridge missing their next two spot kicks high and wide, it allowed the visitors to step up and win the shootout 2-4. Penalties are a lottery sometimes, and this time Stanway Rovers had the winning ticket. Disappointing for the young Peckers, who were the better side for large parts of this game, but couldn’t do enough to progress.

Thank you to everyone who came down to support the young lads - it does not go unnoticed. The U23s are back in action on Saturday, as they travel to Framlingham Town in the league. The future is bright for this side, as shown by the fact we’ve already seen several 23s feature in the first team squad. Keep getting behind the side, back the lads for what could be a very positive end of the season, and as always, UP THE PECKERS!

If you would like to be notified of more posts like this, as well as exclusive updates, events and information from Woodbridge Town, make sure to sign up to our mailing list on the home page!