Ray returns with a bang as Woodbridge bounce back in style

Mark Ray scoring on his Woodbridge return (Photo: Blake Gifford)

Woodbridge Town returned to winning ways on Friday night, as goals from Ash Blow, Mark Ray and Ryan Marsh fired the Peckers to a 3-1 victory over Kirkley & Pakefield. A stunning second half display under the lights couldn’t be matched by the visitors and Woodbridge claimed a vital three points.

After a difficult run to start the year, Friday night’s fixture presented a great opportunity for Woodbridge Town to get back to winning ways against a Kirkley & Pakefield side who also sat in the bottom half of the table. With the highly anticipated return of club legend Mark Ray, there was a positive feeling around the Homestyle UK Ground as the game got underway - a feeling that remained after the final whistle.

It was an even start to the contest, with both sides looking to be direct early doors. A cross from Kye Webb on 7 minutes couldn’t quite find Ray in the box, and was turned away for a Woodbridge corner. The corner came to nothing, and the best chance of the game so far fell to Kirkley 6 minutes later, but a big save from Watling - who stepped in for an injured Hurst - denied the away side’s forward from a tight angle. 15 minutes played, and neither side was really in control of the contest.

The Peckers got stronger as the game went on, and after 26 minutes Webb forced a superb stop from Max Wright in the Kirkley net. The Woodbridge winger cut inside onto his right foot and unleashed a curled effort towards the far corner, but quick reflexes from Wright managed to tip the ball out of play. The chances kept coming for the Peckers, as a few minutes later Lewis Kincaid saw his effort cannon off the crossbar after a cleared corner fell to him on the edge of the area. Pressure mounting, Wright was called into action again as Crowe teed up Southgate, who fired an effort goalwards - once again denied by the away side’s goalkeeper. The half time whistle followed soon after, and despite some great chances, the scoreline remained level at the break.

The second half started slowly, with both sides remaining cautious and not wanting to give any chances away. The deadlock would be broken on 59 minutes, as a ball through from Webb was latched onto by Ash Blow, who coolly slotted the ball past the keeper to give Woodbridge the lead. A tidy finish from Blow, who still remains as the Peckers’ top scorer this season. It didn’t take long for the visitors to respond though, as 5 minutes later, a corner from Kirkley’s Jack Hutchinson somehow managed to find its way directly into the back of the net. A lifeline for the away side, who had been second best for large parts of the game.

Woodbridge responded in style, reinstating their advantage on 70 minutes from a corner of their own. The ball was swung in and not dealt with by the Kirkley defence, and fell in the box for Mark Ray to score on his return. A makeshift finish from Ray who flicked the ball goalwards from the floor to put the Peckers back ahead. A goal enjoyed by everyone around including Mark himself, who will be hoping to put together a good run of form in front of goal.

The Peckers wrapped up the three points with four minutes to go, as Kye Webb claimed his second assist of the evening by setting up Ryan Marsh to fire home for 3-1. Webb floated the ball towards the far post, where Marsh came steaming onto it, and did well to keep the strike down and drill the ball past the keeper. A great finish from the full-back, and a wonderful way to seal the win for Woodbridge.

Ryan Marsh sealing the points for the Peckers (Photo: Max Woodward)

Friday’s win sees the Peckers climb to 12th in the league, level on 32 points with Kirkley in 11th, and only two points outside the top ten. With games in hand on quite a few teams around us, there’s still plenty of opportunities for Woodbridge to finish in a very strong position.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Peckers, it truly is appreciated. It was great to see the side return to winning ways, and hopefully this victory is the start of a strong run for Woodbridge. We’re back at home on Tuesday, as we take on Hadleigh United under the lights. Keep backing the lads for the rest of the campaign, and as always, UP THE PECKERS!

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