Phoenix Sports 3–3 Great Wakering Rovers

From Mayplace Ground

Ryman One North

 

CHARLIE Barlow scored deep into injury-time to secure a point for Great Wakering Rovers in an entertaining encounter with Phoenix Sports.

The midfielder netted from close range to make it 3-3 in a game of two halves.

A poor first-half looked as though it would cost Rovers, despite taking the lead early on but they conceded three strikes as the half went on.

The match was between two sides sitting in the middle of the division, but two who have impressed recently.

Rovers had lost just one of six league matches under Gary Ansell and had beaten Wroxham 4-3 in their last outing, while Sports got the better of Aveley in the week.

And there was nothing to separate the sides in the early exchanges, with a goal apiece in the opening 10 minutes.

Rovers struck first when a short corner routine found Bradley Vaughan in the box. His lay-back was neat and Johnson took a touch before striking high beyond Steve Phillips.

But a minute later it was 1-1. A deep cross dropped to Adem Ramadan at the far post and he came inside James Pugsley and blasted in at the near post.

Sports were in the ascendency from that point, with right-back Helge Orome creating several promising openings with no reward.

But they did take the lead midway through the half. A corner was headed onto the crossbar and centre-half Steve Springett was quickest to react and prod the ball home.

Ricky Freeman tested Adam Seal as Rovers struggled to get out of their half, but the striker was to get his reward later in the half following a goalkeeping error.

The usually reliable Seal failed to gather a simple through pass, spilling it into the path of Freeman who slipped it home from a tight angle.

Despondent at the break, Rovers needed a quick reaction and Ansell got it. A hopeful looking ball from Eljay Worrall was picked up by Jake Gordon and he nipped in front of Phillips to slide home at the near post.

Billy Johnson saw a shot tipped over although Seal was stretched at the other end.

Neither side could get control as the match went on, although Gordon did cut across an effort which arrowed past the far post.

Max Kent’s terrific left wing free-kick was palmed aside although Phoenix were again thwarted by Seal as they swarmed forward.

Jay Nash shot over late on but Barlow had the last laugh from close range.

 

Phoenix Sports: Phillips, Orome, Hamill, Fakinos, L Mingle, Springett, Carnegie, Goodchild, Freeman, J Mingle, Ramadan

Great Wakering Rovers: Seal, Pugsley, Worrall (Kent), Barlow, Vaughan, Hepburn, Johnson (Jacobs), Bradley (Sands), Gordon, Nash, Cleaver