Late Goal Denies Soham Derby Win

By Simon Cullum

A goal two minutes from time denied Soham a derby win as Mildenhall Town scored a late equaliser to share the points with a 2-2 draw.

Having secured their first home win since the opening week of the season on Saturday, the Greens named the same starting eleven which had beaten Waltham Abbey, with Joe Bennett returning to the bench having missed the weekend’s fixture through injury.
This was the second meeting of the season between the two clubs with Mildenhall claiming a 2-1 victory at Recreation Way in September.

In wet conditions, it was the visitors that made the quicker start with Pope getting down to block an early low Crow shot before being awarded a penalty in the twelfth minute when Calver worked his way down the left, past Bankole, into the area, where his run was halted by Norman with the referee awarding Mildenhall a penalty, which captain Matt Green successfully converted sending Pope the wrong way. Soham had their own penalty appeal midway through the half when Russell’s ball into the area appeared to hit a defender’s hands, however this time the referee waived play on. The visitors continued to have the better of the attacking play, although clear opportunities were limited; ten minutes before the break Gillies had the host’s first real effort on goal however this was deflected wide by Ruddy. Pope then came rushing out of his area to clear from the advancing Jacob Brown with the keeper making a low angled save to keep out Dan Brown with the last effort of the half.

Soham came out a better side after the break, and seven minutes later made the game’s first change as Gary Cohen was introduced for Marcus Hall, with the striker getting involved straight into the game, as a minute after coming on he was involved in the equaliser sending the ball into the middle of the area for the incoming Jon Kaye to score. Two minutes later the Greens took the lead when Russell collected a ball out wide, delivering it towards the back post for Joe Carden to convert. Soham continued to push forward with Gillies twice just failing to connect with Russell’s ball into the area whilst Clayton fired wide having collected Roach’s clearance. With ten minutes remaining, Pope made a low save to deny Jacob Brown, Cohen placed wide from a corner before Ruddy headed Carden’s cross against his own bar. The hosts thought they had secured the win with three minutes remaining when Cohen played in Craig Gillies, who lifted the ball over Roach and in off the underside of the bar, however this was ruled out for offside. The play switched ends with Mildenhall earning a corner where Crow sent the ball into the area with sub Alex Stillinger following up on a blocked shot to level the scores. Soham had chances late in stoppage time to earn a late winner however Cohen and Bennett were just off target.

Soham Town Rangers
J. Pope, A. Bankole, J. Lee, J. Kaye, L. Chaffey, H. Norman, J. Carden, L. Clayton, C. Gillies, M. Hall (G. Cohen 52), C. Russell (J. Bennett 75)
Unused: A. Conway, D. Hobbs, W. Gardner

Mildenhall Town
S. Roach, J. Hood, J. Curry, J. Kerins, R. Ruddy, M. Collins (G. Simpson 79), D. Crow, M. Green, J. Brown, D. Brown (A. Stillinger 70), C. Calver
Unused: A. Smith, S. Avis, L. Butcher

Score: (0-1) 2-2

Goals
STRFC: J. Kaye (53), J. Carden (55)
MTFC: M. Green (Pen 13), A. Stillinger (88)

Yellow Cards
STRFC: C. Gillies (66)
MTFC: J. Hood (56)

Attendance: 183