After the disappointment of losing to the league’s bottom side a week before, a much improved Woodley United performance saw the team recover from a two goal deficit to share the points with FC Deportivo Galicia.
The Kestrels were up against the side sitting in second place on goal difference from the divisional leaders.
FC Deportivo kicked off and as early as the fourth minute showed their intent with a shot thundering off the goal post before being cleared to safety.
The visitors positive start was rewarded in the eleventh minute when Gabriel Onutu scored direct from a free kick following a clumsy challenge by Sid Gbla on the edge of his own penalty area.
The goal spurred United who enjoyed a good first half but were unable to score an equaliser.
The 16th minute saw the visiting defence clear a goal mouth scramble, followed by Connor Richardson seeing a shot cleared from a cross he received from Rafa Brandao’s, Gbla shooting wide following a Richardson free kick and Kenny Watson being denied by Galicia’s keeper Fabio Surez in the twenty first minute in a one on one situation.
Six minutes later the referee turned down United’s claim for a penalty which was followed by Brandao seeing his corner kick cleared off the goal line.
Connor Suckling was also denied by Surez when one on one with the keeper catching the ball from an attempted lob ten minutes before half time and Watson was again denied by Surez following good play by Gbla.
The start of the second half was explosive with three goals in in the opening seven minutes.
A long clearance by Surez to the right resulted in a Deportivo player outrunning the home defence before cutting in on goal and forcing a save from Sam Dabinett. However, the ball ran free to Matthew Orobio to double the visitors lead.
Within a minute United had reduced the deficit when Wilson passed to Richardson who’s forward ball split the home defence to find Suckling to score form a tight angle inside the far post.
This was followed in the 52nd minute with Richardson heading the equaliser at the far post from another Brandao corner.
The game proceeded to be end to end with Woodley’s Dabinett making three excellent saves to deny the visitors while Surez again got the better of Suckling in a one on one situation and the Deportivo defence clearing off their goal line.
Woodley’s centre back pairing of new signing Joe Moriarty and Dan Bull were solid in clearing the ball, with right back Mo Davies making a timely interception to prevent a forward being through on goal with seven minutes of normal time remaining.
Woodley were required to withstand sustained pressure by the visitors in the eight minutes of stoppage time, but held firm to take a much deserved league point.
Woodley United: Dabinett, Davies, Jeczalik, Carmichael, Bull, Moriarty, Gbla, (Mandondo), Brandao, Watson (Carolan), Suckling, Richardson (Downes) Subs not used: Monteiro and Stevens
Goals: Suckling, Richardson
Report by Mark Rozzier
