MATCH REPORT: Youth lead the way as Woodbridge Town end season with strong win at home

Woodbridge Town U18s celebrating Harry Brown's opener (Photo: Caine Hammond)

Woodbridge Town U18s finished their season in style on Thursday night, as the young Peckers beat Framlingham Town U18s 2-0 to end the campaign with a victory. With six Under 16s in the matchday squad, and two on the scoresheet, Woodbridge demonstrated that the future is bright for this talented group.

The Peckers started the game strongly, dominating the ball and keeping Framlingham under pressure. An early corner from Dion Duro was nearly converted by Jake Thompson at the back post, but his header went just wide in the first minute. 

Woodbridge would take the lead minutes later, as a wide free kick was fired into the box by Duro, and flicked on brilliantly by Harry Brown at the front post to find the back of the net. A touch of class from the youngster, who has stepped up to the U18s and delivered strong performances in the past couple weeks. 

It was a deserved lead for the Peckers, who had controlled the opening encounters. Another dangerous delivery was headed off the line by the Framlingham defender on twelve minutes, with Dion Duro causing all kinds of problems for the visitors from dead-ball situations.

Half chances came for Nassir Dines-Ferrarge and Thompson again, but the Framlingham goalkeeper did well to smother the first and deal with the second attempt. Woodbridge were applying constant pressure, but somehow the visitors were holding them at bay. 

A brilliant drive from Laurie Higgs on thirty-six minutes saw him burst through the Framlingham penalty area, only to be denied by a good save from the keeper. Higgs went close a matter of moments later, as a cutback from Dines-Ferrarge picked out the Woodbridge midfielder, whose effort was deflected narrowly past the post.

Laurie Higgs driving through the Framlingham defence (Photo: Caine Hammond)

The first half would end with another great chance for Woodbridge, as a near-side corner from Duro was met by Laurie Higgs - his header crashed against the crossbar and bounced clear. Somehow the Peckers hadn’t managed to increase their lead, but they were ahead at the break. Half time, Woodbridge Town U18s 1 Framlingham Town U18s 0.

The second forty-five minutes began, and the visitors had reacted well to a slow first half. Framlingham enjoyed more of the ball in the second half, and the constant pressure from Woodbridge had vanished. Zack Wilding produced a brilliant save on fifty-two minutes, to deny a half-volley from the edge of the box.

The Peckers cycled through changes, taking the pace out of the game and introducing Kayman George and Jack De Vere Packford to the game. Framlingham would go close again on sixty-two minutes, as a far post header bounced just wide of the goal. Warning signs for Woodbridge, as the visitors were getting closer to an equaliser.

Kayman George putting pressure on the Framlingham goalkeeper (Photo: Caine Hammond)

The pressure from the visitors did die down as the game continued, but Wilding was still called into action and produced some strong stops in the latter stages. Woodbridge were managing the result home, and saw a great chance cleared off the line on eighty-eight minutes.

The Peckers would seal the three points with the last kick of the game, as Framlingham threw bodies forward and got caught high up the pitch. Nassir Dines-Ferrarge broke away brilliantly, driving up the pitch before picking out Jack De Vere Packford at the far post. The Woodbridge substitute fired hard and low past the goalkeeper to put the game out of sight. The full-time whistle followed very shortly after, Woodbridge Town U18s 2 Framlingham Town U18s 0.

A great night for the young Peckers, and a strong end to the season with back-to-back wins. It’s been an encouraging season for the U18s, with plenty of players being introduced across the campaign. As a club, it’s very positive to see the development of our youth teams, with two U16 players finding goals in this game.

Woodbridge Town U18s ended the campaign with wins over Stowmarket and Framlingham (Photo: Caine Hammond)

Your support across the season for both the U18s and U23s has been brilliant, and it is very much appreciated. The U23s close out their season away at Thetford this Saturday, with that game kicking off at 11am - an early one for the lads! 

We can also confirm that on Sunday 17th May at Framlingham Town FC, Woodbridge Town Ladies take on AFC Sudbury Women Reserves in the Women’s League Cup Final, with the game kicking off at 5pm. We would love to see as many people as possible getting behind our Ladies team, as they look to claim the first piece of silverware for our senior teams this season. Thank you all once again, and as always, UP THE PECKERS! 

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