First ever Hellenic League Game - Rayners Lane vs. Woodley Town

First half action at Tithe Farm.

On Wednesday night, I headed to north west London for my first ever Hellenic League game between Rayners Lane and Woodley Town. Both teams are comfortably in mid table and are in no danger of finishing bottom. The game is due to kick off at half six as there are no floodlights, but due to heavy traffic on the motorway most of the Woodley team show up late. They eventually arrive and the game kicks off half an hour late. The referee decides to make the game thirty five minutes each and there will only be a five minute break at half time.

Woodley on the attack in the first half.

You would have thought that Woodley might be a bit rusty not having a chance to warm up, but it is the home side that look sluggish at the start of the game. The number ten for Woodley causes all sorts of problems for the home defence and he manages to turn his man but he shots high and wide. Woodley Town then hit bar with a shot from just inside the area and the follow up is deflected wide. Most of Rayners Lane's attacks come from free kicks which they largely waste. They do have a sight of goal when the Rayners Lane player tries from the half way line as the keeper is off his line following a clearance. Then just before half time Woodley hit the bar again following a header from a corner.

The Rayners Lane winger puts the ball in the hedge rather than the box.

The second half starts kicks off with the ground getting progressively darker. Woodley Town continue to play the better football. Rayners Lane do come close with a sharp half volley that goes just over the bar. The games defining moment comes when the Rayners Lane keeper fails to deal with a weak shot that he palms in to the net. He partially makes up for that mistake when he makes a stunning save from a header from point blank range following a corner. Rayners Lane then break immediately and the Woodley keeper makes his first real save. The game finishes in near darkness as Woodley take the points.

The only cover at the Tithe Sports Club.

I didn't get a chance to visit a pub before the game as major problems with the Piccadilley Line mean I get to Rayners Lane a lot later than I wanted. The ground is a ten minute walk from Rayners Lane station which is on the Metropolitan and Piccadilly Line and is around a half hour journey from Central London. The clubhouse is quite large and has Sky Sports and the drinks are cheap for London. In times of ever growing criticisms of referees, I have to commend the sensible actions of the referee regarding Woodley showing up late. Also I have to congratulate Raynes Lane on a fantastic programme. Just so Woodley Town don't feel left out I enjoyed the way they played football.

Woodley defend a corner. The clubhouse is in the background.