2025 01 18
Little Oakley v Hullbridge Sports
Little Oakley took the spoils & three point winning the war of attrition by 1-0. The game had few chances and was in most part played in bad temper.
The first twenty minutes were edged by Hullbridge with much of the play being played in midfield. Neither side being able to forge a worthwhile chance on goal.
It took twenty-five minutes to see any action around the goal area when a cross into the Oakley penalty area fell kindly for Connor Hart who controlled the ball and shot in one motion sending the ball narrowly over the bar.
Oakley were matching Hullbridge and had a presentable chance seeing a Mills shot cleared off the line.
The final action of the half was a strong tackle by Nathan Rowe who picked out Mills who shot on site, but keeper Laurence Whymark had the shot covered.
Half time score Little Oakley 0-0 Hullbridge Sports
Oakley started the second half energetically and after good work from Rowe winning the ball in the center circle managing to bend the pass into the path of Mills who was at full steam trying to get to the ball before the keeper who had left his line in an attempt to get to the ball first but he slipped allowing Mills to round him however Mill wanted to walk the ball into the net and had several opportunities to side foot the ball into the goal however he pontificated allowing Jack Nolde to slide in and clear the ball.
Oakley were now playing better and were bossing possession when a long pass to the wing from Dan Rowe was well gathered by Mills who managed to get in front of his defend heading towards the by line where he spotted Idreess Namsis ghosting into the box where he got a shot on target which was deflected by a defender past the keeper putting the home side 1-0 up.
Hullbridge then had two presentable chances with a shot just outside the area by Piers Hatcliff stretched Billy Lawlor who saved and held onto the ball. Hullbridge were then awarded a free kick outside the Oakley box. The kick was poor but fortuitously fell to Oscar Jones who skillfully controlled and shot in one movement, but Lawlor was on top form and pulled off the save of the match.
With little time left Namisi had another opportunity to shot but the shot was straight at the keeper.
Final Score Little Oakley 1-0 Hullbridge Sports
Player of the match: Billy Lawlor never looked like he was going to concede a goal.