FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND

MATCH OF THE DAY – OLD WOODSTOCK TN 1, WANTAGE TN 2

A SECOND-half strike from David Bostock saw Wantage into the preliminary round with a battling victory against Old Woodstock Town at North Leigh on Saturday.

It capped a much-improved display from Wantage, after Woodstock had pegged them back in the first half.

After Graham Edney had gone close for Wantage, Woodstock’s Danny Bone forced an excellent double save from the Alfredian’s keeper Gareth Tucker.

But the visitors took the lead on 21 minutes when good work from Tom Eatwell and Richie Claydon put Bostock through.

His shot was brilliantly saved by Woodstock keeper Jeff Simmonds, only for the ball to fall to Edney fo fire home.

Woodstock equalised with a soft goal.

Chris Gilkes was given time and space, before turning the ball past Tucker.

After the break, Wantage’s performance improved.

And they were rewarded on the hour as Claydon’s clever reverse pass released Bostock beyond the defensive line.

Bostock advanced on Simmonds’s goal, rounded the keeper, before sliding the ball into an unguarded net.

Wantage passed the ball around impressively after this, and should have sealed the game when Edney went down under a challenge in the penalty area.

But Simmonds responded with a fine save from Claydon’s spot-kick.

Woodstock kept persevering in search of an equaliser, but with Tom Rowe and Stuart Cattell in commanding form, keeper Tucker was rarely troubled.