Woodley United 3-2 Cove: Last gasp Goddard winner sees Kestrels through

Woodley United twice came from behind to secure victory with a fourth minute of second half stoppage time goal from Jordan Goddard. Cove took the lead in the second minute when Sean King’s free-kick from outside the host’s penalty area squirmed through keeper Ashley East’s legs to trickle over the goal line. Woodley were soon level when Pedro Monterio intercepted a Cove pass to find Ciaran Carolan unmarked in the visitor’s penalty area to steer the ball pass Joe Andrews in the 10th minute. Despite going on to enjoy better possession in the half, United’s final ball into the penalty area frequently failed to find a home player while the hosts were guilty of a number of offsides. A positive start to the second half saw Rafa Brandao shoot wide while Gary Smith headed a Tahir Carmichael free-kick straight to Andrews. Cove regained the lead 64th minute when a free kick on the left hand side of the half way line saw Ben Toye out jump Cole Gough and react quickest to the free ball and steer a shot from outside the penalty area into East’s left hand side netting. As with the early season league game, Cove then proceeded to defend deep in numbers. However, on this occasion it was their undoing as a Jordan Goddard’s cross from the right was headed goal wards by a defender to allow Monterio to react quickest and poke it into the net. Buoyed by the goal Brandao and sub Seun Akintola’s pace caused the visitor’s defence problems and saw a number of free kicks won. It was following a foul on Akintola that Carmichael took a free kick from Woodley’ right side. He delivered the ball into Cove’s goal area which Andrews punched clear only for Jerry Foumboua, with his back to goal, flick the ball over his shoulder and back into the goal area where the unmarked Goddard headed into the goal from close range. With the players returning to the half way line, the referee signalled full time enabling United to progress to the round of sixteen. Woodley United: East, Gough, Carmichael, Monterio, Smith G, Whight, Lucas (Akintola), Goddard, Carolan (Foumboua), Anderson (Swell), Brando Sub not used: Martire