FINCHAMPSTEAD FC’s poor run of form took a turn for the worse as they were stunned 2-1 at Hellenic League Division One East basement boys Woodley United.

The game started with a lengthy injury to Woodley’s George Douglas, who after treatment was able to continue. When play got going again it was the visitors who registered the game’s first chance; a hooked effort from the right side of the box was comfortably gathered by Ben Hitchins in the United goal.

Woodley’s first shot fell to Tom Peterson, whose effort from distance went over. On 11 minutes United went ahead with Peterson involved again; his fierce shot was blocked by a defender which saw the ball fall invitingly into the path of Matt Lambert who cut to the byline before whipping in a fantastic cross that was headed home by Luke Nichols.

The following 15 minutes saw Finchampstead have a lot of the ball and create several chances, with Luke Axton-Hall twice going close with headers. A left-wing cross went wide, while Hitchins made his first decent stop diving to his right after another cross was headed goalwards.

The visitors were getting a lot of joy down the left, and Freddie Barron forced Hitchins into another smart stop with a shot towards the bottom corner.

When United had possession they looked a real threat, though. Nichols skinned his marker before putting in a cross that was cleared for a corner. Taking the corner himself, he picked out Peterson who saw his powerful shot blocked by a host of bodies.

Just past the half hour Woodley doubled their lead with a sublime goal. A Peterson through ball picked out Tim Green, who lofted it over Tom Bryant and into the net.

Looking for a way back into the game, Finchampstead saw two efforts from distance sail over. The half ended with United nearly increasing their advantage when Nichols raced clear with just Bryant to beat.

But with the goalkeeper off his line quickly and the ball taking some nasty bobbles, the Woodley forward saw his shot saved.

More good link-up play from Woodley started the second half. Lambert set up Peterson who shot over from 20 yards before the game had another delay when tempers flared and two players from each side were cautioned.

On the hour, United were nearly gifted a goal when Bryant came off his line and got nowhere near the ball; this presented Nichols with a half-chance that he missed to the right with several Finchampstead players back on the goal line.

With the contest entering the final 15 minutes, Green forced Bryant into a decent stop.

The game was swinging from end to end; Hitchins made a great save to thwart Harry Swabey from eight yards after some nice hold-up play by the Finchampstead striker.

Matt Wright then poked goalwards from close range to force Hitchins into another good save.

The visitors fought on as they looked to set up a grandstand finale; amid loud appeals for a penalty, Scott Hunter missed to the left before Hitchins denied Swabey with a point-blank save.

But with a minute of normal time remaining, Hitchins was finally beaten when Swabey turned in a Barron cross.

And Finch could have snatched a draw when, after hitting his free kick into the wall, Swabey picked up the rebound and delivered a cross that was headed straight at Hitchins by Sam Green.

Finch travel to Wantage Town Reserves on Saturday (3pm).