Thurlow Nunn First Division Holland FC 1 Woodbridge Town 3 Woodbridge Town maintained their lead at the top of the table with another away win on a difficult pitch, writes John Middleditch.
Two goals for Matt Mackenzie and a first half header from Jake Green clinched the points. After hitting the woodwork four times in the first half the Woodpeckers should have won by a greater margin but another Alfie Stronge penalty save in the second half proved vital.
Zach Smith-Waters’ cross was well parried by Stronge after three minutes but after seven George Bowman’s accurate corner was powerfully headed in by Green to make it 1-0.
Green’s header was on target after 11 minutes and after 15 minutes Mackenzie’s pass found Mark Ray and his curling shot hit the bar for the away side.
Steve Eaton’s shot was again parried by Stronge after 19 minutes in a rare home attack. Ray’s effort again hit the bar after 28 minutes but Mackenzie’s shot from was ruled to have crossed the line by the assistant referee to make it 2-0.
Carlos Edwards’ corner hit the post on the half hour as the away side dominated and amazingly after 34 minutes Bowman’s excellent curling shot hit the post yet again with home keeper Alex Ball beaten.
Dale Hammond’s effort a minute later tested Ball and Ray’s cross was well held by Ball just before half time.
After the break, Hammond’s cross tested Ball after 49 minutes and the home side fought back after 55 minutes when Finn O’Reilly’s close range shot made it 2-1.
The away side made it 3-1 after 64 minutes with Bowman’s second assist as his cross was headed in by Mackenzie for his second goal.
A minute later Eaton received a red card for a late tackle on Green, the defender having to leave the field with an ankle injury.
Bowman’s effort went just over the bar after 73 minutes and Ray’s shot was deflected for a corner after 79 minutes.
Then, after home substitute Matt Gray was adjudged to have been fouled inside the penalty area after 80 minutes, Keelan Sorrell stepped up and his spot kick was superbly saved by Stronge, diving to his right.
Mackenzie’s missed the chance of a hat-trick in the last minute as his shot missed the target but it was another important win for the Woodpeckers, with captain Aaron Churchyard, in particular, covering every blade of grass despite a late injury.
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