PROMOTION-CHASING Woodley United continued their push for a top-two finish in Division One East with a 1-0 home win against AFC Aldermaston.

The away side started brightly and Craig Masterson saw his shot have all the pace taken off it after it clipped a defender, while United centre-back Joe Barley did well to recover from giving away possession to block a Dan Alliston effort.

At this point, Woodley were really struggling and things were not clicking in the final third. Just before the half-hour mark they were saved by the linesman’s flag when Aldermaston forward Kai Parton-Edy had a headed goal disallowed for offside.

The nearest United got to really testing Dan Smith in the away goal was when Danny Horscroft teed up Liam Wilson, but the winger didn’t make much contact, allowing Aldermaston to clear.

Aldermaston had the first chance after the break as Karl Hanks shot over from 25 yards, and just past the hour mark United registered their first effort of the match.

A sublime through ball from captain Jake Nicholls sent Charlie Oakley in on goal, but with just Smith to beat the ex-Woodley stopper did well to beat out a left-footed effort from the left side of the box.

The creation of the chance saw the momentum swing in United’s favour, and for the remainder of the contest looked the more dangerous of the two sides.

Oakley latched onto a Josh Drew pass, but could not pick out Wilson from the right wing and Horscroft then had a left-wing cross cut out with Drew waiting to pounce before the visitors nearly caught Woodley out with a swift counter attack.

Working the ball from the back, Hanks saw a close-range shot brilliantly saved by Alex Reed in the home goal.

Down the other end Oakley overhit a right-wing cross with United outnumbering their opponents in the 18-yard box.

The goal finally came five minutes from time when Drew scored from close range.

Starting the move on the wing, the United player saw his cross from the left cleared. The ball was immediately sent back into the box where Oakley headed back across goal to Drew, who got his third goal in two games.

Woodley made it two wins in four days when they won 2-0 at Didcot Town Reserves on Tuesday night, putting them six points clear of third-placed Headington Amateurs with only five games remaining.

It was the in-form Oakley who was again the match-winner for Michael Herbert’s side, scoring two second-half goals to take his tally to seven in his past four games.

Woodley United visit Wantage Town Reserves on Saturday (3pm) before hosting Finchampstead on Tuesday (7.45pm).

  • HIGHMOOR Ibis were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Burnham in their Premier Division encounter at Rivermoor on Tuesday night.

Marcus Richardson’s men remain 13th in the table ahead of a trip to Longlevens this coming Saturday (3pm).