Woodford United - Byfield Road

Woodford United FC

Byfield Road
Woodford Halse
Daventry
Northamptonshire
NN11 3QR

01327 263734
Official Website
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Ground Number: 232
Tuesday 18th December 2012
Woodford United 4-5 Leighton Town
Southern League Division 1 Central

WOODFORD UNITED FC - A BRIEF HISTORY

The club was established in 1946. After playing in the Rugby & District League, they joined the Central Northants Combination in 1964. They were Premier Division champions in 1966 and retained the league title the following season. They were then Premier Division runners-up for the next two seasons, and after finishing third in 1969–70, they moved up to Division 3 of the United Counties League. This was renamed Division 2 a couple of years later and in 1974, Woodford United were promoted to Division 1. Despite finishing 4th in their first season, they finished bottom the following year and were relegated. Two more seasons were spent struggling in Division 2 before they left the league. The loss of their ground forced them to drop down to the Central Northamptonshire Combination. They were relegated from the Premier Division in 1981, only returning as runners-up in Division 1 in 1987. Woodford United won the Premier Division in 1992 and were runners-up three times before winning the title again in 1998.

By now, they had the facilities to return to the United Counties League. They played in Division 1 for four seasons before they were promoted to the Premier Division in 2002 after a 3rd-place finish. Another four seasons were spent in the Premier Divison before they were champions in 2006, winning promotion to the Southern League Division 1 Midlands. Six seasons were spent at step 4 with credible 7th and 9th place finishes in 2009 & 2010. However, a torrid 2012/13 season saw them lose all 42 games and this resulted in them taking a voluntary two-step relegation to the United Counties Division 1. This didn't prevent them from losing all but one game, a 2-1 win at Blackstones. Heavy defeats were the order of the day, including a 16-0 thumping at Wellingborough Whitworth. Over those two seasons, they conceded 408 goals in 84 games. Despite stabilising over the next two seasons, they took the step down to the Northants Combination in 2017. They've been in the Premier Division ever since, finishing 3rd on two occasions so far. Despite finishing third from bottom last season, they look like they could match their 3rd place finish again this time out.

Woodford United's best-ever FA Cup run came in 2005. They beat Southend Manor, Wisbech Town, Harwich & Parkeston and Redditch United before going out to Leamington in the 3rd Qualifying Round. The FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round was reached in 2007. During the 2004/05 season, they had their best FA Vase run. They beat Norwich United, Yaxley, Stansted and Eton Manor before losing to Brislington in the 3rd Round. Local competitions won include the Northamptonshire Combination League Cup in 1966. The club's record attendance of 1,500 came for a game against Stockport County, although I was unable to provide precise details of the game. Former Football League striker Howard Forinton both played and managed the side. The club plays in Woodford Halse, a village around seven miles south of Daventry.

MY VISIT

Initially, I had been planning on going to Hinckley United v Bishops Stortford tonight, but this morning the game was called off due to the home side being only able to raise 8 fit players due to a load of injuries and also a transfer embargo due to financial issues. They had already had 3 points deducted this season, and with only one win to their name anyway, were back to zero points. I had been to see them play at Bradford Park Avenue and they had had to select their 42-year-old manager Carl Heggs in the side for that game. It was a great shame as it was a decent ground and they were supposed to have a good club shop. So, what do you do when you can't go and see a team that's only won once all season? That's right, find one with an even worse record! The team in question, Woodford United had lost all 17 of their league games this season. The latest, on Saturday, was an 8-1 drubbing at the hands of Thatcham Town, themselves struggling near the foot of the Southern League Division 1 Central. Tonight's opponents Leighton Town were in a similar position, but they had at least garnered 14 points so far this season, and would surely start as hot favourites given this statistic. I had been meaning to visit Woodford for a while actually. In 2008, whilst on the way to Notts County v Wycombe, I had called in at the ground to take pictures. They couldn't have been more friendly, showing me around and even giving me a free pennant, pin badge and programmes! By far the best welcome I have received! So I promised myself that I would return the favour and go and see a game, and now, finally, 4 years later it was happening.



As ever for a random Tuesday game, I was going with fellow traveller Anwar. Due to the destination being closer than most, we didn't have to leave Aylesbury until 5.30, and so I left home at 4.50, allowing enough time for the rush hour traffic. I arrived a few minutes early, but we were soon on our way. After a pretty hassle-free drive, we got to the ground at 6.40. With time to spare, we had a look around, going and looking in the clubhouse before going in. After that, we paid our £8 to get in and £2 for a programme. After taking some pictures and checking my phone, it was time for the game to start.

Woodford looked nervous early on and with no confidence and so it was Leighton who started the strongest. And it was the visitors who had a golden opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot, around 15 minutes into the game. Home keeper Jamie Brassington brought down a Leighton striker and maybe could have been sent off. But he redeemed himself with a great save from the resulting penalty. This seemed to spur Woodford on and they took control of the game. 25 minutes in they took the lead. But this was short-lived, Leighton were soon level with a scrappy goal by Chatterton, which delighted the travelling supporters. Woodford were soon back in front though, this time through a nicely worked goal with half-time in sight. But Leighton equalised again, this time through Fryer. Woodford's heads did not drop, however and 2 quick-fire goals made it 4-2 to the home side with half-time fast approaching. A couple more chances were missed, with the hosts looking on course for their first win of the season. Woodford had real chances to sew things up early on in the second half, with quite a few chances missed. A golden opportunity was then presented to them in the form of a penalty, but that too was spurned, the player blazing over the bar. Both sides continued to have chances and it was another penalty that swung the game in Leighton's favour. This time, Leighton keeper Sam Mazurek took the penalty and blasted it home. Leighton were awarded yet another penalty around 10 minutes from time. The keeper stepped up again, but this time it was saved, only for the rebound to be put away by Walton to make it all square. Woodford's hearts sank at this point, and there was only going to be one winner. The inevitable happened around 5 minutes from time when Leighton got their winner, a second by Walton. The hosts stepped up a gear in pursuit of an equaliser, but it never really looked like happening.



I noted from the programme and the fact that the vast amount of Leighton Town players named as scorers on their Twitter, but not listed in their pen pics, they must have had a huge turnover of players recently. Overall, Woodford were very unlucky and should have got something from the game. But their defending was not the best, and that's 21 straight losses in all competitions this season. The last time they won was 25 games ago, back against Chertsey Town on 7th April 2012. It was a great game for the 49 fans in attendance, though and a shame that the hosts couldn't get a share of the spoils. After the sparse choice of food at the ground, we stopped off at a local Chinese takeaway for some chips and it was nice to see them displaying a Woodford United scarf. I dropped Anwar off, getting back myself at 11.15.

MY SECOND VISIT

My second visit here was decided on a week before the game. By chance, I saw this in the Football Traveller magazine and as I had not visited in thirteen years, thought that a revisit and a chance to get better pictures would be in order. The club had been at the start of a steep decline on my first visit but had started their recovery this season as they looked to get promoted back into the pyramid. I was looking forward to it but there were some last-minute adjustments before the game. Originally billed as a 3 PM kickoff, it was only when we were driving back from Cornwall last night that Colin & Daniel were talking on the phone and the latter noticed that the kickoff was 12PM. The difference would have meant a wasted journey. Even on the day of the game, the United Counties League Twitter page was still claiming a 3PM kickoff, whilst the Woodford United Twitter said 12PM. I decided to go with what the home club said although I wonder how many would get caught out. Especially seeing as Woodford United have five dormant Twitter accounts and a search on Google doesn't bring up the one that is actually working.

Luckily, the Daventry Town account had quote tweeted the proper kickoff time, so we could be pretty certain that we'd be OK. Following a late night, I awoke around half an hour before my 8.45 alarm. There was still a lot to catch up on, and the later kickoff might have been easier, but it was what it was. I had a bath, a change of clothes and some breakfast before leaving just after 10. It was an easy journey up, with us getting there at 11.20. It was a well-priced £3 entry, and I had time to get some new pictures before the game. It was a shame the decent-looking burger van outside was closed for most of the game and half time as I was peckish. It seemed as if food van vendors don't have a lot of common sense, given the poor food at Bodmin Town yesterday.

The game started brightly with Woodford United having the first chance and Daventry having a shot cleared off the line in the opening few minutes. It was Woodford who controlled the game and they took the lead on 23 through Sam Hanson. It was 2-0 on 28 minutes when a low left-hand side cross was turned home by Nat Miller from within the six-yard box. The third goal came on 68 minutes as the #7 outstipped the Daventry for defence before slotting calmly past the keeper. Woodford later hit the post, just after the attendance was announced as 300+. It was a richly deserved win for the hosts, and although I didn't enjoy my second visit as much as the first, it was good to get better photos and update my blog.

THE GROUND

BYFIELD ROAD is a pretty basic ground, but pretty much the usual standard at this level. There is an 'Arena' metal stand along the side, holding around 150, but this at least is raised, so you get a decent view of the action. The only other covered area is some standing behind one goal, and a small section of covered standing along the side, whilst the rest of the ground is open to the elements. Due to the small crowds, though, there is little danger of you having to stand in the open. The ground is set in the countryside, so quite a nice setting. I didn't see a club shop, but I know that they sell various bits online and in the club bar. The bar itself is pretty good, especially for this level, with big screen TV and a fairly decent selection of drinks. The tea bar is very basic, only doing bacon and sausage rolls, along with drinks

2025 GROUND PICTURES