The Woods climb into third, with goals from Ernest Okoh, Luke Parrott and Wale Odedoyin securing a HUGE 3-0 win at Ashton’s on Friday night!

The visitors started on top with Woodford looking shaky in the opening encounters, however, the Woods found their mojo and excelled into a 2-goal lead before the break. The first big chance of the game fell to Parrott from 15 yards out, his effort was magnificently tipped around the post after a scramble in the penalty area. The goalkeepers’ heroics were soon to come to nothing as former Stanway man Ernest Okoh opened the scoring with 22 minutes on the clock – Dimitri Christou’s through ball was completely missed by Alfie Marigliani as he attempted to clear, allowing Okoh the chance to tap home into the empty net and set Woodford well on their way.

The goalscorer was in the thick of it again, this time winning a penalty as he was tripped whilst twisting and turning into the Stanway box. Luke Parrott continued his unbelievable season as he confidently converted the spot kick into the bottom right corner, making it 16 goals in 30 appearances so far this season!

The start of the second half was very cagey, with neither side finding any clear-cut chances to find the back of the net. Luke Parrott was gifted the best chance of the half after 74 minutes but his effort found itself skied over the bar. Manager Shane Baptiste turned to his substitutes bench in an attempt to see out the game whilst looking to add a third and was rewarded with an instant impact…Demmy Nicolaou and Wale Odedoyin had only been on the pitch for a combined twelve minutes when Odedoyin latched onto the midfielders through ball and cooly slotted it under the keeper and into the back of the net to settle the game for Woodford.

A fantastic win for Shane Baptiste’s men as they leapfrog Clacton and go just four points behind Redbridge who currently occupy the playoff spot. Next up, we’re back on the road as we make the short trip to Roding Lane to face Buckhurst Hill on Tuesday night for a massive local derby – let’s hope as many of you can make it to the game and get a big away following for the lads!

COYW!

Woodford Town Starting XI: Allan (GK); Kirwan-Meade, Machado, Kiangebeni (Sharpe – 81’) , Omope, Okoh (Runham – 73’); Mosuro (C) (Nicolaou – 78’), Christou (Hillaire – 60’); Parrott, Phillips (Odedoyin – 73’)
Unused substitutes: N/A

Stanway Rovers XI: Marigliani (GK); Mott, Akinode, Bastone, Cooper, Crisell, Bartlett, Mardell, De-Bell, Frisell, Sherlock

Attendance: 89