Tompkins saves the day

Ampthill Town keeper Ross Tompkins saved the day for his team on Saturday when he saved a late penalty to earn a share of the spoils against Broadfields United in a 1-1 draw. The Town stopper pulled off a brilliant save but Town's uneven league form continued and the Middlesex side gave them a few anxious moments after Town had taken the lead.

The hosts were again hit by injuries and holidays to key men but stuck to their task well when the visitors proved to be a dangerous unit going forward. Both sides tested out the respective keepers early on but Town took the lead in the 18th minute when Broadfields failed to clear the ball and Jamie Cerminara pounced to put Town ahead.

But Broadfields began to make inroads in the midfield battle and put their authority on the game and their forward line examined the home defence while Ampthill's engine room was short of steam at times. Broadfields scorned two chances, a bad miss from close in after a centre from the right while another effort was driven wide after a downward header. Another shot was blocked before Town's resistence was broken just before the break, Ricardo Faux-James slamming in the leveller after losing his marker.

The Harefield based side continued in similar vein after the interval, forcing Town on the back foot and giving debutant Adam Russell a busy first outing. The visitors saw a shot crash off the bar and other quick raids were blunted by an overworked home defence. Tompkins was at his best while Ampthill were short of firepower and got little change from the away defence despite the endeavours of Cerminara and Clarke.

With the minutes ticking away Michael Moss was harshly adjudged to have fouled Matt Faley in the box but Tompkins was the hero of the hour and he flung himself to his right to keep out Harry Henley's spot kick.

Tompkins was on song again in injury time with more brave keeping to deny Broadfields who will have gone home regretting missed openings. Ampthill gave a courageous display with the midfield area and front line both missing vital men. But it is more points dropped and Town's results since the early part of the term remain inconsistent.

They have a busy December and will be looking to get some absentees back for the league games at Buckingham Athletic on Saturday and at home to leaders Southall on Tuesday.