Winning in the rain.....reserves take the 3 points at home

Woodstock Town Reserves returned to league action yesterday for their final home game of 2025, fully aware they were in for a tough battle against East Oxford- made even more challenging by the difficult weather conditions. A new formation for Woodstock as they set up with the famous 'christmas tree' 4-3-2-1.

The reserves also welcomed back 4 players who played a new road last year. Higor Barreto, Felipe Roldao, Claudio Roldao & Celis Leite. They also welcomed back New Road favourite and former captain Shane Whalley who was in goal for East Oxford today

East Oxford kicked off the first half.

Woodstock came out flying, pressing aggressively and creating their first chance within the opening minute. Although the early opportunity couldn’t be converted, it set the tone for the half. After five minutes, Woodstock settled into the game, moving the ball confidently from side to side and taking control of possession.

East Oxford attempted to push forward, keeping the ball in Woodstock’s half briefly, but were unable to break through the solid defensive line. Woodstock countered effectively, releasing Willian through on goal for a one-on-one. Willian was put through one on one the goalkeeper as he touched the ball wide the keeper leaned out using is shoulder to bring Willian down. players, managers and the crowd shout there appeals for a red card, the ref only sees fit to showing a yellow. Danylo stepped up to take the free kick, but his effort flew well over the bar.

Woodstock continued to dominate, pressing relentlessly and giving East Oxford no space to play. Their pressure finally paid off when Felype collected the ball inside the box on the left and curled a brilliant finish past the keeper to make it 1-0. Woodstock had an change from Eduardo ruled offside. The forward play from Woodstock was causing issues to East Oxford as time and time again we found ourselves offside.

Woodstock kept control for most of the remaining first half, creating more chances but failing to add a second. East Oxford had a couple, one of which was ruled offside. late opportunities, but nothing troubled Simon in goal, and the hosts went into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead.

The message from the manager was to keep the pressure up get an early goal and keep clean sheet

Second Half

The second half began sluggishly for Woodstock, who struggled to regain their earlier rhythm. East Oxford took advantage, applying pressure and forcing Woodstock to dig deep.

However, Woodstock soon found their moment. Pressing high, they boxed East Oxford in near their own goal, forcing a defensive mistake. Mauro pounced on the loose ball and smashed a near-post finish past the keeper to put Woodstock 2-0 up.

East Oxford responded quickly. A long-range effort from Bruno Sousa, the East Oxford captain, saw the ball goal past the Woodstock keeper, Simon, as he slipped on the awful conditions

Woodstock regained control and produced some brilliant football, culminating in a decisive third goal. A ball over the top sent Eduardo racing past the defence; he cut it back perfectly to Willian on the edge of the box, who slotted home into the bottom corner to restore the two-goal cushion at 3-1.

Yet East Oxford weren’t finished. Another long-range strike found the net after Woodstock as Celis Leite was left free to shot as Woodstock failed to close him down quickly enough, making it 3–2 and setting up a tense finale.

In the dying moments, East Oxford won a free kick from distance. Hearts were in mouths as the ball struck the post before Woodstock scrambled it clear. Moments later, the referee blew for full time, sealing a hard-earned 3-2 victory for Woodstock.

Full-Time: Woodstock 3-2 East Oxford

A battling performance in not favourable conditions but Woodstock showed moments of real quality, and a huge effort late on.

Next week we fixture is reversed and has more at stake as its for a place in the quarter finals in the Clarendon Cup.

Managers Comments.

Very good victory today and we held out for the 3 points. Its difficult welcoming former players back to New Road as they have an advantage on playing with our players, but we showed quality and restraint to block out friends and just play the game. I think the new formation, that we have not practised worked extremely well. Nadir, Iuri and Mauro worked really well in front of the back 4. Willian and Edaurdo are starting to work really well together up top with Ricardo linking the plays from the number 10 role shows we have quality going forward. Be tougher next we as the go to there home to play the 2nd round of the Clarendon Cup. They now know our style and we obviously prepare for that so i will need to see how i can tweak things to catch them of guard