Report

Woodstock put in a improved performance at Sevenoaks on Saturday but returned empty handed thanks to a inability to turn possession into chances and being caught out by Sevenoaks long ball policy.

The game started with Woodstock trying to breakdown a resolute Sevenoaks defence, whilst only really being put under pressure by the quick and direct breaks from Sevenoaks. Woodstock had to wait until the 12^th minute for their first real chance when the returning Ricky Freeman did well to turn and fire in a shot that the home keeper saved with some ease. A few minutes later a dangerous Sevenoaks attack was stopped by a determined tackle from Frazer Rogers on the edge of the box that brought a free kick on the edge of the box and a booking, but the effort was wasted. On 25 minutes a free kick knocked into the box saw Lewis Taylor jumping to flick the ball on, as he did he was clattered into and the referee awarded a penalty that John Emmerson coolly knocked home. Following the goal Woodstock had a good spell of pressure but never really created and positive chances and were grateful that a speculative Sevenoaks effort right on half time just clipped the cross bar.

The second half started as the first ended with Woodstock having a good amount of the ball , but Sevenoaks looked at their most dangerous when Sports gave the ball away and Sevenoaks tried to use their quick forwards with balls over the top. The closest Sports got to increasing their lead came ten minutes in when a good cross from Freeman on the left saw James McDonald just heading over.

Within minutes a mistake from Frazer Rogers allowed Sevenoaks in but Jack Rankin did well to block but fifteen minutes in a ball over the top saw a Sevenoaks forward brush past Rogers and fire in the equaliser. 20 minutes in Sevenoaks were reduced to 10 following two yellow cards but it made little difference to the game as Sports attempts to break down the Sevenoaks defence were ineffective and on 70 minutes they paid the price when they failed to cut out a long ball down the centre and a Sevenoaks forward converted the one on one with Jack Rankin.

Some personal changes freshened things up for Woodstock but Sevenoaks defended well and when balls were knocked into the box Sports were not composed or confident enough to get the ball down and on target. Time was running out and in added time skipper Lewis Rivett was left one on one with a Sevenoaks attacker and in his urgency to get the ball he tugged the Sevenoaks player and the referee awarded a penalty that keeper Jack Rankin seemed to get to but couldn’t keep out.