Baker and Ward strike to earn first victory of the season

A brilliant second half showing from The Blues earned us a 2-1 win at Burghfield Rec on Wednesday evening, courtesy of goals from Ross Baker and Ricky Ward.

The away side started stronger and were nearly in front within the first 10 minutes after the Woodley United Royals striker took aim from 30 yards, only to be superbly denied by a back peddling Iain McCulley.

Burghfield started to grow into the game as the first half went on and were denied a penalty on 25 minutes when Chris Smalley-Ward was pushed inside the Woodley penalty box but play was waved on.

The Blues nearly found themselves in front shortly after when Ryan Farmer broke free down the left and his low cross was narrowly turned over the bar by a Woodley defender.

With half time fast approaching, Woodley United took the lead as their striker broke free and slotted past the onrushing Iain McCulley.

HALF TIME: Burghfield 0-1 Woodley United Royals

The second half started in quiet fashion but came to life in a 10 minute spell.

Daniel Roberts was brought down just outside the box in the 60th minute which gave The Blues a brilliant opportunity to get back into the game. Ross Baker struck the resulting free kick up and over the wall into the near corner to score his first goal for the club since his summer arrival, bringing Burghfield back on level terms with 30 minutes left to play.

Shortly after, Iain McCulley was forced into a brilliant 1-on-1 save after a defensive mistake put the Woodley United striker through on goal. From the resulting save, McCulley's long kick down field brought Burghfield a corner. Leroy Clarke's delivery was bundled home by Ricky Ward to give Burghfield the lead with 20 minutes left on the clock.

Substitutes Kieran Smith and Leon Hewitt linked up well down the left and the latter was denied by a brilliant point blank save from the Woodley keeper after the formers low cross.

Burghfield were then denied again late on after a Chris Smalley-Ward header was cleared off the line from another Leroy Clarke corner.

With Woodley United pushing for an equaliser, James Sayer made a superb last ditch tackle to deny the away side and seal the 3 points.

FULL TIME: Burghfield 2-1 Woodley United Royals