PREVIEW: Woodbridge Town U23s vs Stanway Rovers U23s

Lewis Bolsover in action v Needham Market, March 2025

Woodbridge Town U23s return to cup action on Tuesday as they prepare for another crucial knockout fixture, following Saturday’s disappointing defeat to Needham Market in their first league outing since October. This time the stakes are even higher, with Stanway Rovers the visitors for a place in the Chell Trophy semi-finals.

Recent weeks have seen Woodbridge’s schedule heavily focused on senior reserve cup football. Those matches have already secured a further quarter-final tie against either Stowmarket Town or Kirkley & Pakefield, although that game has now been postponed three times due to pitch conditions at both clubs & is set to be played Tuesday evening.  

Despite the stop-start nature of their campaign, Woodbridge will be determined to put Saturday’s result behind them and deliver a performance worthy of progressing to the last four, where Brantham Athletic, Debenham LC and Harwich & Parkeston already await.

Standing in their way are Thurlow Nunn U23 South side Stanway Rovers. They arrive on the back of a narrow 3-2 defeat to AFC Sudbury, but their overall form has been impressive, with six wins from their last eight matches and 18 points on the board. Rovers pose a significant challenge, with much of their attacking threat coming from leading goal scorers Oscar Bain and Keaton Donnelly.

For Woodbridge, Joshue Fleitas Branson will be aiming to move into double figures for the season, while Owen Cameron has enjoyed a fine campaign so far with eight goals in just eleven appearances. Early team news suggests Woodbridge will be without Ratcliffe and T.Howell, while several players face late fitness tests after picking up knocks in the weekend clash with Needham Market.

Previous meetings between Woodbridge and Stanway Rovers have been closely contested, with results swinging both ways in recent seasons. Encounters between the two sides are typically tight and hard-fought, where clinical finishing can often prove decisive.

The competition is one that manager Aren Howell knows well, having guided Ipswich Wanderers Reserves to cup glory in the 2007/08 season. With current holders Framlingham already knocked out by the Woodpeckers, a new name is guaranteed to be etched onto the trophy this year. A trophy the Woodpeckers would love to put in their trophy cabinet. 

With a semi-final place up for grabs, another closely fought contest is expected as both sides look to take a step closer to Chell Trophy success. Once again, your support is greatly appreciated, and we encourage you to come along, get behind the young Woodpeckers and be our twelfth man. UP THE PECKERS!

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