Next up for Woodford United in their pre-season schedule was Cropredy FC. A team that also play at step 7 but in the Oxford Senior League; they fielded a very young side today. A young side always pose a different challenge in that they are more often than not quick and full of energy and the Cropredy front line didn't disappoint.

Starting the game with two defensive midfielders, it was clear that manager Kev Bunting was wary of this and wanted to congest the midfield and look to control the central area and then use the pace of his own front line to threaten both out wide and in behind the opposition defence.

The breakthrough came on the 18th minute with an attempted pass into the midfielder from the Cropredy centre back, Mason Muckelburg was alive to it and managed to send it back over the keeper and into the back of the net from just inside the Cropredy half. A bright start, rewarded with a very well taken goal.

The order of the first half was then for the Woodford central midfielders to get the ball out wide and look to put crosses into the box to test the Cropredy back line. Five minutes later, a good piece of link up between the full backs with a long ball from the left back position to the right hand side saw some good control by Nat Miller who then produced a cross that was finished centrally after with the player arriving late in the box; a volleyed finish by Chas.

The home team went in at the break in the lead with the score at 2-0.

Cropredy started the second half well and were able to test the Woodford United goalkeeper with Joe Haynes making some good saves throughout the game. The visitors made a breakthrough and got themselves back into the game in the 64th minute after a poor clearance saw an easy finish for Cropredy inside the 6 yard box to bring the score back to 2-1.

A couple of changes for the home side as the second half went on and it was Kerry Adu who secured the result with an excellently placed finish from the edge of the area to make the score 3-1 and to win the game for Woodford United.

Manager Bunting was full of praise for the visiting team after the game and said "good luck to Cropredy for the season, the future looks bright for them with a very youthful looking team".

Next up for Woodford United is Adderbury Park in the semi-final of the Byfield & Bethel Cup. Tuesday 8th August, 18:30 kick-off. Come along to support the club and an excellent cause in the charity based cup competition.

Woodford United Football Club

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