Woods' League campaign ends in Play Off penalty heartbreak.

An incredible Essex Senior League campaign culminated with a penalty shootout defeat to Sporting Bengal United, in a Play Off Semi Final at Ashton's on Friday night.

Shane Baptiste's side began the tie on the front foot, much to the pleasure of the noisy Woodford Town fans. Alex Bolovan brilliantly turned away from his man in the middle of the park, before sliding in Nathan Sollosi, but Sidi Haidara was on hand to divert the shot out for a corner. From the resulting corner, captain James Jewers saw his header graze the crossbar, but unfortunately the chances mounted to nothing.

With the remainder of the first half evenly poised, we look set to head into the break with the deadlock yet to be broken. However, just seconds before entering added time, the hosts found a breakthrough! Alex Bolovan's free kick caused chaos inside the six-yard box, with the ball eventually breaking loose to Jewers, who controlled and volleyed into the back of the net from eight-yards out. His first goal of the season and what a crucial one it was!

The visitors came out on top in the opening exchanges of the second half. With 52 minutes on the clock, Woodford were reduced to ten-men as Enoch Soganile impeded Tanvir Ahmed, who would have otherwise ran clean through on goal. Skipper Steven Carvell stepped up to take the free kick, but saw his effort crash off the inside of the post. Luckily for him, Joe Gregory was the quickest to react to the loose ball, and he slotted the rebound past Eddie Allan in the Woodford net. 1-1.

With the Woods having to deal with the disadvantage of being a man-down, they looked to run down the clock knowing a penalty shootout would await. There were no real chances for either side throughout the remaining 35 minutes or so, and the clash went all the way to penalties, where The Bengal Tigers would book a place in the final.

Nathan Sollosi stepped up first, but Haidara saved his spot kick. The next eight penalties were all scored and the away side had a chance to seal it with the final shot, however, Eddie Allan stood tall to keep Woodford in the game. In sudden death, both teams failed to dispatch their opening penalty, but when Manny Martins had his shot from twelve-yards out saved by eventual hero Haidara, Bengal had a third chance to wrap it all up, and they did.

Penalties: Woodford Town 4-5 Sporting Bengal United

Woodford Town Starting XI: Allan (GK); Kirwan-Meade, Steele, Mitchell-Nelson, Soganile, Martins; Jewers (C) (Gokou - 90+1'), Kebi (John- 73'), Bolovan; Sollosi, Protic (Johnston - 67').

Unused substitues: Okoh, Christou.