PREVIEW: Woodbridge Town U18s vs Stowmarket Town U18s

Woodbridge Town U18s manager Aren Howell

On Thursday evening, Woodbridge Town U18s return to league action as they welcome Stowmarket Town U18s to the Homestyle UK Ground in what promises to be an important fixture for both sides.

Neither team has featured competitively since the turn of the year, meaning both will be eager to shake off any rust and begin 2026 on a positive note. Stowmarket’s last outing came just before Christmas in the U18 Midweek Cup, where they produced an impressive performance to overcome Beccles Town 4–2. That victory secured their place in the quarter-finals of the competition, where they have been drawn to face Brantham Athletic.

Woodbridge’s most recent match was back on 11th December, when they hosted Hadleigh United. Despite a determined and spirited display from the young Woodpeckers, the game turned following a second-half red card. Reduced to ten men, Woodbridge were unable to hold out, with Hadleigh taking control and eventually running out 3–0 winners.

In terms of league form, Stowmarket currently occupy 7th place in the table, having picked up 7 points from their opening fixtures courtesy of two wins, one draw and four defeats. Woodbridge, meanwhile, sit at the foot of the division with four points, recording one win and one draw from their nine matches so far.

Thursday’s contest will be the first meeting between the two sides this season, although recent history shows there is little to separate them. Last campaign saw a hard-fought 1–1 draw in the season opener at Stowmarket, followed by a convincing 4–1 home victory for Woodbridge later in the year. Stowmarket ultimately finished strongly to claim 2nd place in the league, with Woodbridge securing a respectable 4th.

Although results have been difficult at times this season, performances from the young Woodpeckers have often been better than the table suggests. In many matches they have remained highly competitive, and with a little more composure in front of goal, several narrow defeats could easily have gone the other way. Encounters between Woodbridge Town and Stowmarket are traditionally close and fiercely contested, and this latest chapter is expected to be no different.

Early team news suggests Woodbridge will be without a couple of key players. Hunt begins the first match of a three-game suspension following his red card against Hadleigh United, while Page is also set for an extended spell on the sidelines. The midfielder suffered a torn ankle ligament during the club’s U23 fixture against Needham Market on Saturday and is expected to be out for around eight weeks. Plumb is also sidelined after he suffered a broken finger. 

The mood in the camp remains positive. The squad will be hoping to use the second half of the season to build momentum, improve their league position and finish the campaign strongly. Thursday night offers the perfect opportunity to make a fresh start and begin turning performances into valuable points.

Kick-off at the Homestyle UK Ground is sure to provide another entertaining and competitive encounter between two familiar rivals.

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!