WOODLEY United produced a battling performance before losing 3-1 to holders Binfield in their Hellenic League Perpetua Floodlit Cup tie on Monday, writes Dave Wright.

“The boys did well,” commented manager Jon Laugharne after this second-round game which had been switched to Stubbs Lane due to doubts over the Rivermoor Stadium pitch being unplayable.

“Obviously, we are disappointed to go out, but you can’t fault the effort of the team.”

United were forced to make a number of changes due to “Christmas parties and holidays”, but they still gave a good account of themselves against their Premier Division rivals.

“Binfield are a quality side, one of the best teams in the league above us,” said Laugharne.

“It was always going to be hard for us, but we got stuck in and gave it a go.

“I think the turning point was their second goal as I was disappointed in the way we conceded it, and they quickly followed up with a third goal which kind of killed off the game.

“But fair play to our lads, we kept going and got a goal back and we should have had a penalty. If we had made it 3-2 with 10 minutes to go, it could have been an interesting finish, but we were denied that opportunity.

“My players also claimed that when their keeper (Chris Grace) made a save in the second half the ball had crossed the line. Just a pity we don’t have goal-line technology!”

United, having already seen Binfield’s Ian Davies miss a sitter, trailed from the ninth minute when their defence failed to stop Carlo Santoro making a piercing run which ended with a cool finish past keeper Tom Bryant.

Davies also chipped the ball inches over the bar from the edge of the area with Bryant off his line, but Woodley had chances at the other end with Max Lashock being denied by goalie Chris Grace.

United’s main threat came from Pablo Fernadez, who featured in most of their attacking moves and looked the best player on the field and was often fouled as Binfield struggled to stop him. It’s a real shame for the club, that he is going back home to Spain after Christmas.

Woodley stayed very much in the picture until conceding goals in the 65th and 67th minutes through substitute Jamie Mitchell and Davies respectively.

Laugharne’s men kept plugging away and were rewarded with a well-taken goal from Lashock with 12 minutes remaining.

Soon afterwards, they had strong appeals for a penalty rejected when Lashock was brought down in the area.

Last Saturday, Woodley’s league match at Holyport was abandoned at half-time due to the pitch being waterlogged. The score was 2-2 with Lashock bagging a brace.

Woodley are without a fixture this Saturday.