WOODLEY United manager Michael Herbert believes the future is bright for his side after they secured promotion to the Hellenic League Premier Division in his first season in charge, writes Richard Ashton.

The Kestrels beat Holyport 3-0 on Saturday before matching that scoreline against Chinnor on Monday, ensuring third-placed Headington Amateurs cannot deny them a top-two finish.

Woodley had endured a couple of tough seasons before Herbert, and several players, joined the Division One East outfit from Mortimer in the summer.

They have enjoyed a stunning turnaround which will see them play Step Five football for the first time next season, with Herbert telling the Chronicle: “We’re really pleased. At the start of the season we were looking for a top five finish and maybe a cup run, so we’ve over-achieved.

“The players have been fantastic and I’ve also got two fantastic assistants in James Anderson and Spencer Meredith. I want to thank them all.

“I’ve always known the talent that was available and it was maybe a blessing in disguise that a lot of players left Woodley (last summer) for various reasons. It meant we didn’t have to mix and match and had a clean slate.”

United’s victory against Holyport, secured thanks to a Danny Horscroft brace and a Greg Beckett strike, left them needing just a point from Chinnor’s visit.

And that never looked in doubt after Charlie Oakley and Josh Drew put them 2-0 up inside 17 minutes.

Tom Folley and Stuart MacLellan saw red for the visitors before Liam Wilson secured the win seven minutes from time, leading to joyous celebration.

Herbert said: “We played really well and some of the best football we’ve played all season. We were under pressure so it was really pleasing. We scored two early goals and then they had two players sent off, so that killed it.”

Things could get even better for Woodley when they face Thames Valley League side Marlow United in the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup final at Bracknell Town on Saturday (3pm).

Herbert revealed: “Marlow are a very good side who I know well from my time at Mortimer.

“They have got a great manager and they should really be playing at least one level and maybe two above what they do.

“A lot of people will see us as favourites, but I see it as a 50-50 game. I’m sure it will be tight, but we’re looking forward to playing at Bracknell Town.”

Henley Town’s ground is a potential future home for the Kestrels were they to leave Scours Lane – the base they currently share with Highmoor Ibis.

Herbert admitted: “Our chairman is looking at that. We’ve had a great season at Rivermoor, but we are still looking at a few places.

“The future is very bright. The board are brilliant and don’t interfere and so we just focus on the football. Next year the aim will be to stay up, but we’ve got a long-term plan and hopefully in the future we can push into the top five and then maybe promotion.”

Following their cup final, Woodley play their last league game at home to Chalfont Wasps next Wednesday (7.45pm).