WOODLEY United maintained their perfect winning record in Hellenic Division One East at Rivermoor with a 2-1 victory against Rayners Lane, writes Dave Wright.

United put in a solid defensive showing on Saturday and in the process did the double over a spirited Rayners Lane side.

The home team started well, looking to keep the pressure on leaders Penn & Tylers Green, but Jake Nicholls, Greg Beckett, Dave Morgan and Danny Horscorft all missed with early chances.

Woodley keeper Alex Reed had to save from Will Able and Simeon Owen, before Rayners Lane took the lead on 35 minutes. Captain Julian Smith hooked in from close range.

The visitors’ lead did not last long and United hit back to level the scores four minutes before the break when a right wing corner came off a yellow shirt and beat keeper Przemek Mierzwa.

The final opportunity in the first-half saw Woodley go ahead and once again it came courtesy of a corner from the right. Only managing to clear to Josh Drew, the winger saw his low drive nestle into the right corner.

This was a different Rayners Lane team to the one that Woodley demolished on the opening day of the season and the visitors started the second-half well. Winger Tyrone Godwin miss-kicked from 12-yards with just Reed to beat.

With the rain lashing down, the hosts were getting bogged down in their own half and Owen blazed over as Rayners Lane desperately tried to get back into the game.

The visitors had a lucky escape in the 75th minute, over-playing from the back they gave up possession but were bailed out by Mierzwa, who saved from Wilson.

Woodley ended the match well and Beckett got to a through ball before Mierzwa only to see his shot slow enough on the heavy pitch to allow a defender to get back and clear.

The win means Woodley stand second in the table, five points behind leaders Penn & Tylers but with three games in hand.

United welcome Sandhurst Town to Rivermoor this Saturday (3pm) before Didcot Town Res visit on Boxing Day (3pm).

Highmoor Ibis

In the Hellenic Premier, Highmoor Ibis did not have a fixture to fulfil last weekend, and have two tough away days ahead.

Ibis make the journey to top of the table Thame United this Saturday (3pm), before heading to fourth-placed Flackwell Heath on Boxing Day (3pm).