FA Vase Woodbridge Town 2 Hoddesdon Town 0
Woodbridge continued their fine start to the season by defeating Spartan South Midland League side Hoddesdon who sit one league above them in the non-league pyramid, writes DAVE MEESON.
It was a hugely entertaining game which flowed from end to end throughout with the home side combining fast counter-attacking play with heroic defending to see them safely into the next round where they face an away tie at Enfield Borough.
Jamie Scales’ men were out of the blocks quickly and Callum Sinclair fired narrowly over after good play from Mark Ray and Kelsey Trotter.
Hoddesdon, who won the inaugural FA Vase competition in 1975, soon found their feet and the hosts were indebted to keeper Alfie Stronge in keeping them at bay.
The impressive youngster produced a brilliant save from Connor Scully’s free kick which seemed to be heading for the top corner before denying Scully again and Leigh Rose from point-blank range.
The Peckers opened the scoring midway through the first half when Ray was brought down 20 yards out and George Bowman drilled the resultant free-kick into the bottom corner with the ‘keeper poorly positioned.
Chances continued to come and go at both ends with Ryan Keeble going close for Woodbridge and Frazer John having a goalbound drive deflected wide for Hoddesdon.
Bowman was having a fine game in the middle of the park but failed to return after the interval having been on the receiving end of a late tackle just before the break.
Woodbridge made light of this by extending their lead within 12 seconds of the restart as Sinclair’s cross from the right was diverted by Ray into the path of Trotter who made no mistake from close range.
Keeble and Ray could have put the home side out of sight before Hoddesdon thought they had pulled a goal back only for the assistant to rule out Jake Bowden’s header for offside much to the annoyance of the visiting bench.
Trotter then somehow skied the ball over the bar from another Sinclair cross.
The Hertfordshire side never gave up but the home defence, with Liam Scopes outstanding, stood firm to seal the win.
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