2024 11 30
Little Oakley v Ilford FC
Little Oakley grabbed a ninety-forth minute injury time equaliser to take a point from Ilford Town.
A recent resurgence by Town promised a difficult afternoon for Oakley, who have lost their last two games. It was Town who had the first opportunity when Greg Akpele got behind the Oakley defence and managed to fire a strong shot on target, but an alert Billy Lawlor pulled of a good save.
Oakley were slow to get into gear when a long throw by George Davis tested the town keeper who came to catch trough a crowed area only to gather the ball but going out of play for a corner. The cross was in between several players and a free kick was awarded to Town.
Oakley started to get more possession in midfield when a defence splitting ball to Dan Rowe was instantly controlled allowing a run at goal, but Rowe had a narrow angle, and his shot was pushed away by Wilkinson Boateng with his feet when the better option would have been a cross to the back post.
The game was scrappy and condensed to the midfield area when Town gained a throw. The throw came across from the touch line into the center of the pitch where Michael Adu found himself with space heading towards the goal where he took a speculative shot that hit the post bouncing over the line putting the away team 0-1 up
With Town looking to consolidate their advantage a clumsy tackle in the penalty three minutes after going in front gave Oakley the opportunity of gaining parity. Dan Rowe took the penalty and while in the corner the big frame of Boateng got down low and produced an excellent save.
The remainder of the half saw Town in the ascendancy without being able to produce any real quality chances.
Half Time score: Little Oakley 0-1 Ilford Fc
The second half started with Oakley winning a corner. With a packed box the cross caused a lot of pushing and barging where the ball fell to Rory Harman who had to rush his shot sending it over the bar.
Oakley had far better possession and started a good passing move arriving at the feet of Luke Hipkin where after a short dribble picked out Jordie Papple who struck a blistering shot which looked like it was destined for the top corner only to see an excellent clearance off the line.
Oakley continued to win corners but never got a goal scoring opportunity. Possession was still in Oakley’s favor when they won a corner. For the first time in the afternoon Oakley won the first ball with Davis getting a powerful head on target only to find Keeper Boateng make a magnificent save pushing the ball wide where his defence cleared.
Oakley continued to attack and forced a corner in the ninety-forth minute. The corner was floated into the center of the six-yard area where a scramble took place giving Oakley three chances to score but the ball was like a pinball deflecting from side to side but finally got to Nathan Rowe who had to tackle his own man to slot past the keeper leveling the scores at 1-1.
Final Score Little Oakley 1-1 Ilford Fc
Player of the match: Nathan Rowe was asked to step in at center half and was rock solid.