A superb free kick from substitute Billy Kerridge earned Woodside Park FC a share of the spoils as they came from behind twice to secure their first draw of the season against Roote Athletic. In an evenly matched Plant Derby, Roote led twice before Martin Fiander and Kerridge equalised in each half, with Lee Redwood missing a glorious chance to win the game in the dying moments. Interim Head Coach Tony Appleton left the returning Kerridge, Louis King and Dev Habermel on the bench as he named his usual 4-2-3-1 formation, Max Hall being pushed wide from his favoured central attacking position. Max Braithwaite started in goal in place of the unavailable Dan OConnell, and began the game well despite a couple of nervy goal kicks as both sides looked to take the initiative. Roote, with former Thundersley Rovers striker Paul Mason leading the line, edged possession in the early stages and took the lead with the first real chance of note; an all too familiar defensive error from Park gifting the home side a goal. From a searching through ball, captain Chris Betts tracked the pass well into his own box under pressure from Mason. With Braithwaite urging his skipper to clear, Betts fluffed his lines and proceeded to scuff the ball left footed straight to the forward, who rounded the Woodside keeper to open the scoring. The away side responded well. Hall was at the thick of it, and the former T and D Sports man twisted his way around two challenges before curling a shot against the bottom of the post from the edge of the box. Lee Redwood was a willful runner up front and almost beat the Roote keeper to a lofted ball forward, before Appleton failed to connect with an excellent Mark Redwood cross from the left. Roote remained dangerous, and Braithwaite took a knock to his ankle after rushing out to pressure an opposing forward who beat the keeper but also the post. Braithwaite was then beaten again by the same forward, but a supporting Roote player tapped into the empty net from an offside position and the goal was chalked off. Rob OConnell then made an excellent last ditch tackle to deny a great opportunity for the home side as they sensed a second. As half time approached, Woodside equalised with a goal of genuine quality. Hall and Fiander combined in the centre circle to allow the latter to advance into the final third. The ball came to Lee Redwood inside the left hand side of the box, and, ignoring brother Marks incisive run, the forward turned and chipped brilliantly into Fiander who had continued his run. Taking a touch on his chest, Fiander buried a shot over the diving keeper from seven yards to level the scores at the break. Appleton resisted the temptation to make changes at the start of the second half, instead waiting til the hour mark to replace himself and Lee Redwood with King and Kerridge respectively, moving Phil OConnell to right back. Before the substitutions Mark Redwood had forced a good save from the Roote keeper at his near post, whereas Braithwaite had made an excellent one handed save to tip over a first time strike from Mason. The young goalie could do nothing about the next effort, however, as Roote regained the lead with a shot from distance that took a small nick off Betts to loop the ball over the keeper at pace. Again Woodside responded well, and were back level within ten minutes as Kerridge stroked a left footed free kick over the wall from the edge of the box, leaving the Roote keeper motionless. Appleton threw on Habermel for Rob OConnell to try and win the game, and both sides exchanged shots from distance that flew just wide. With five minutes to go Appleton brought Lee Redwood back into action as he replaced Darren Hillman, and the striker, with 44 goals for the club, was presented with a golden chance to win his club three points. Confusion from a set piece saw Phil OConnell flick the ball neatly towards the forward, unmarked five yards out. With the goal at his mercy the 28 year old pivoted and struck the ball high over the bar to leave the scores level and ensured Roote a point, their fifth straight draw in the league. Woodside Park FC Braithwaite 7, Appleton 7 (King 7), Betts 7, Kirley 7, P.OConnell 7, Hall 7, FIANDER STAR MAN 7, R.OConnell 7 (Habermel 7), Hillman 7 (L.Redwood), M.Redwood 7, L.Redwood 7 (Kerridge 7)
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 17:56:34 +0000
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