CAPTAIN Luke Axton-Hall went from zero-to-hero as Woodley United secured a 2-2 home draw against Thame Rangers in their Division one East encounter on Saturday.

The home team started the better, but fell behind in the 10th minute when left-back Lewis Thorne beat Craig McCreeth from the edge of the penalty area, firing into the keeper’s left-hand corner.

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United wobbled for a period and it needed a block by Jamaal Whight in the penalty area to prevent Thame doubling their score six minutes later.

Woodley had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down when Max Laschok was bundled off the ball in the 19th minute, but the forward got his reward when his cross from the goalline was met by Lamin Ceesay to level from close range shortly afterwards.

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A slip by Axton-Hall on the testing surface allowed Joe Walls an opportunity, but after this the best chances were created by Woodley with Ceesay dangerous when running at the defence and linking well with Laschok.

Calvin Evans fired a shot over the home crossbar from range seven minutes before the break, which saw both teams go in level one apiece.

Despite Woodley starting the second half in positive fashion, McCreeth was called on to make a good save from Walls for a corner in the 55th minute.

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And they were rewarded a minute before the hour-mark when a good run and pass from midfield found Ben Lloyd to restore their lead.

The Kestrels rallied, though, and Laschok rounded visiting keeper Archie Davies only for his goalbound shot to be cleared off the line.

This was followed in the 71st minute when Axton-Hall headed against the upright, and Harry Hawkins and Axton-Hall then both had shots cleared off the line.

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Buoyed by this pressure, United forced another corner in the 76th minute, which this time saw Axton-Hall’s header hit the back of the next from substitute Josh Millo’s kick to earn a share of the spoils.

Woodley United were due to host Holyport last night (Wednesday), before welcoming Milton United to the Rivermoor Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

They then travel to Kidlington Development next Tuesday (7.45pm).

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AFC Aldermaston return to action after a three-week break with a home game against struggling Langley on Saturday (3pm), before hosting Kintbury Rangers in the Reading Senior Cup on Tuesday (7.45pm).

In the Premier Division, Danny Gudger, Harvey Scholes and Dan Bailey netted for Fairford Town as they brushed aside Reading City 3-0.

Disappointed Citizens manager, Simon Johnson, admitted: "It was a poor result and performance after a few good ones. It’s a young group, though, and in our first season together there are still plenty of positives and a lot of football still to play."

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Eighth-placed City are without a game this weekend, next welcoming Brimscombe & Thrupp to the Rivermoor on Saturday, March 7.