Great Wakering Rovers 3-3 Waltham Abbey

(Gordon 54’, Pethers 58’, Butterworth 73’: Holland 24’, Retkoceri 42’, Logon 47’)

From Burroughs Park

Ryman North

GREAT Wakering Rovers will be plying their trade in the Essex Senior League next season after their relegation from the Ryman North was confirmed despite fighting back from three goals down to claim a point against Waltham Abbey.

Strikes from Billy Holland and Arian Retkoceri gave the visitors a two goal advantage heading into half time.

Romaric Logon netted Waltham Abbey’s third to give them what seemed an unassailable lead just two minutes into the second period.

But Iain O’Connell’s side fought back and Jake Gordon reduced the deficit on 54 minutes.

Just four minutes later, Scott Pethers gave the Burroughs Park crowd hope as he beat Waltham Abbey goalkeeper Lewis Lockyer to score Wakering’s second of the afternoon.

Pethers thought he had netted his second of the game soon after, only for his effort to be controversially disallowed.

With less than 20 minutes to play, Wakering were offered a lifeline as Gordon was brought down by a Waltham Abbey defender and the referee pointed to the spot.

Gordon stepped up to take the penalty himself but visiting goalkeeper Lockyer pulled off a fantastic save to deny the striker from doubling his tally.

But Stephen Butterworth was first to the rebound and found the back of the net to claim the hosts’ equaliser and leave Waltham Abbey stunned.

O’Connell admitted before the game that he and the players were already resigned to dropping into the Essex Senior League and were already preparing for next season.

But the hosts did not give up and pushed for an unlikely winner which would have gone down as one of the greatest comebacks in the club’s history.

Lockyer was not to be beaten for a fourth time as he helped Waltham Abbey to a share of the spoils.

Wakering needed to win all of their remaining games and overcome a significant goal difference disadvantage to have any chance of remaining in the Ryman North next season.

But the point was not enough and saw Rovers suffer relegation on the same day fellow strugglers Wroxham’s fate was sealed.

Great Wakering Rovers: Harrison, Warren, Robinson, Kee, Jude, Beale, Butterworth, Pethers, Gordon, Richmond, Evans