DANNY Horscroft scored the only goal of the game as Hellenic League Division One East title contenders Woodley United extended their record to seven wins from seven with a 1-0 victory at second-placed Headington Amateurs.

The hosts went into the game having scored the most goals in the league and came up against a Woodley defence which was the most miserly.

Headington started strongly and created the first opportunity after only six minutes when poor defending saw Luke Cuff one-on-one with United keeper Alex Reed only to drag his shot wide of the keeper’s far post.

Both teams traded free-kicks with Jake Nicholls blocking a Headington effort while Horscroft saw one headed clear before good work and an excellent pass by right-back Luke Turner found Horscroft unmarked on the edge of Headington’s penalty area.

The United player took a good first touch before driving his shot low to Harry Jenkins’ left to open the scoring after 18 minutes.

Adam Nditi had an opportunity to double the lead two minutes later but drove his free-kick over Jenkins’ crossbar.

With both midfields and defences remaining strong, the two keepers were rarely troubled for the remainder of the half.

Headington’s right wing-back Liam Morbey had a good run but shot wide, while United’s Charlie Oakley fired wide on a counter-attack while also being given offside just before half-time from a Horscroft (pictured) pass with only Jenkins to beat.

The opening minute of the second half began with action at both ends as Horscroft’s free-kick was cleared and Amateurs quickly broke before United could clear the ball for a throw-in deep in their own half.

This was followed by home team pressure that saw Sean Horcombe fire a free-kick over the crossbar and another defended by the visitors.

Having resisted the pressure United slowly got into the game with Nditi lively on the right and twice forcing corners while Horscroft found the side netting.

The 70th minute saw Headington’s first shot on target which was comfortably saved by Reed, while Horscroft saw a cross headed clear and a second cross elude the on-running Oakley in the 75th minute.

Woodley’s last chance fell to Nicholls who shot over the bar with eight minutes remaining, after which Amateurs applied heavy pressure.

This led to Reed having to save well at his far post before tipping a header over the crossbar from within the penalty area in the dying minutes.

United held firm to record their fifth clean sheet and take the win, moving level with second-placed Headington on points – albeit with two games in hand.

United travel to neighbouring Wokingham & Emmbrook on Saturday (2.15pm), eyeing an eighth league win in a row.

  • THE Hellenic League have removed Woodley United from the Perpetua Press Floodlight Cup due to their “failure” to meet cup rules.

Therefore Sandhurst, who lost 3-2 to them in the first round in September, have been reinstated in the competition and will now play Royal Wootton Bassett away on Wednesday, November 9.