Earley Gunners secured their place in the next round of the cup after a very close match against Woodley Saints.
Gunners started the stronger of the teams and went a goal up through Gareth Akers before Woodley Saints started to play some neat football and then scored a deserved equaliser from a close range shot inside the box. Matt Rees had a good chance to extend the lead when his twenty yard shot flew wide of the post. Gunners also had a goal disallowed in the first half.
In the second half Woodley looked the stronger of the teams and had a few close chances to score. However, no further goals were added and the game went into extra time. There was an unfortunate incident when a Woodley player was accidentally got a nasty cut around the eye after going for a header and he had to leave the field of play.
Woodley then scored a goal when the broke from the right back position and run the ball through the Gunners midfield and into the defence when the ball was layed off and they scored from close range. Gunners used the last of their substitutes and pushed men forward and were rewarded when Stuart Bye scrambled home a debut goal after some good build up play from Gareth.
The final score after extra time was 2-2 and a penalty shoot-out was required to decide the tie. Paul Ali stepped up to take the first penalty but placed the ball a shade wide of the post and Woodley scored to give them a 0 - 1 lead. Dave Owen scored a goal and Woodley equalised to make it 1-2. Gareth scored Gunners second and Woodley Saints missed with a weak shot at Julian who easily saved the ball to leave it at 2-2. Stuart then scored a goal and Woodley scored to make it 3-3. Finally Chris Wrey scored Gunners fourth and with their last kick Woodley blasted the ball wide to give Gunners the win.
Match Facts
Goals : S Bye (1), G Akers (1)
Team
Pictures
