WOODLEY UNITED were cruelly denied a point after Kensington & Ealing Borough found a late winner.
Despite returning home pointless, United gave one of their best performances of the season in giving a disciplined display that saw them maintain shape well on very wide pitch to frustrate the hosts who moved the ball quickly with minimum touches and mobile players.
At full time only one goal separated the sides, scored late in the game, notwithstanding both keepers being required to make good saves.
As early as the second minute Ashley East was called into action as Kensington started positively forcing five corners in the opening 20 minutes of the game.
United’s only worthwhile effort during this period saw a Tahir Carmichael free kick easily cleared while a forward pass was overhit allowing Tommaso Kelly to gather it from the oncoming Rafa Brandao.
Having weathered the pressure, United slowly got into the game with Brandao and Ciaran Caroline and Brando lively up front and dangerous on the counter attack.
Archie Swell drove a low cross into the penalty area but a moment’s hesitation by Brando saw the danger cleared while Brando’s pass to Swell saw the winger denied by Kelly.
Kensington thought they had scored in the 25th minute but the forward was penalised for handling the ball as he beat Gary Smith, with the latter heading a Woodley free kick wide of the upright four minutes later.
Brando was denied by Kelly five minutes from half time with East cleared for a corner from Mweembe Chiabi.
The final action of the half saw Kelly parry a Carolan shot and then block Brandao’s follow up effort.
The second half developed into a cagey affair with Woodley’s best effort following the restart being in the 63rd minute which saw Ben Anderson’s free kick cannon off the cross bar for a goal kick.
Smith was to get on the end of another Carmichael free kick which saw Kelly get to the loose ball first as Anderson prepared to strike.
East saved well to his bottom left hand side from Steve Ngunga on seventy two minutes.
As the game became increasingly competitive with both sides looking for the elusive goal a series of yellow cards were issued before the only score came with eight minutes remaining.
Substitute Ayomide Faniyan was allowed space to fire past East from outside the visitors’ penalty area.
As Woodley went looking for the equaliser and changing to three up front, Faniyan was twice further denied by East however, the hosts held firm to take a win.
Woodley United: East, Gough, Carmichael, Monteiro (Reid), Smith G, Whight, Swell (Akintola), Goddard, Carolan, Anderson, Brandao Subs not used: Probert, Martire
