Wright Brace Denies Takeley

‘Side got of to a nightmare start and conceded inside the opening 30 seconds as Takeley Charlie Cole found himself clean through on goal. The forward neatly lifted the ball over Sam Roach on debut in goal to give the visitors a dream start.

George Lutaaya then struck a post from long-range on 10 minute before skipper Wright levelled the scores on 20 minutes. Picking up a loose ball from a corner, he curled a delightful effort into the top left-hand corner, giving Ronnie Yates in goal no chance.

There were no further goals in the first-half but Jason Fontaine came close to giving ‘Side a first-half lead, but Yates just managed to deny the forward from close range.

Takeley started the second-period as they did the first, by taking the lead. Shortly after Paul Tiffin shot straight at Roach, giving ‘Side a warning, the forward scored on 48 minutes tapping the ball home after a miscommunication between the keeper and one of his defenders.

Cole then saw an effort saved by Roach before missing an open-goal after more confusion in the home defence. Then Mitchell Das sliced an effort wide. These were huge slices of good-fortune for ‘Side and one that would come back to haunt Takeley deep into injury-time.

After substitute David Laird was fouled outside the area, in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Wright stepped up from the resulting free-kick to brilliantly put the ball beyond Yates at his near-post to earn ‘Side a vital point.

‘Side: Sam Roach, George Eddon (Darren Gray), Joshua George, Paul Wright, Maxwell Amoako, George Lutaaya, Michael Ademiluyi (James Holland-Malcolm), Sam Edwards, Luke With, Sam Konway (David Laird), Jason Fontaine

Subs Not Used: Aidan Lucas, Danny Blake