Entertaining draw with Colliers Wood

Colliers wood take on the game

Another excellent Combined Counties League game on a dank and damp day at Hatton Road between two footballing sides with plenty of respect for each other. Wood were without Marvell and Hart today. Nuur produced a superb touch and shot which was well saved behind by Bishop and Borrell produced a fine tackle before Watson produced a poor shot with the goal, just about, at his mercy. Woodhouse and Benali did well but Bettamer did even better in defence and Bishop saved a Benali drive after good play from Kaddu. Borrell, again, denied Watson and the dangerous Eagles skipper, harris, fired over as the game ebbed and flowed. Zavo was fouled but Benali's free kick was blocked and his second effort was wide before a superb lob from Nuur to Harding saw Bishop save well again. The lively Nuur was provider again from the right to Harding whose glancing header went wide and a Johnson free kick was met by a superb Bettamer volley which was matched by a superb save from Young. Bedfont went ahead on the half hour mark when a long free taken was taken by Harris, He squeezed past Hill and scored well. Bettamer produced a fine clearing header and Newton and Hughes combined to edge out Bettamer before Nuur volleyed over for the visitors. Kinsella was booked for a foul on Benali and Bishop held an excellent second effort from Benali before Young tipped a Johnson effort over. Kinsella was fortunate the referee didn't see a blatant shirt pull on Benali off the ball and in the 3rd minute of stoppage time, after Nuur had been fouled, Hill curled a superb left footed free kick home to send Wood in at half time, deservedly level.
HT 1-1 – Good game.
Hill and Borrell double teamed on Baxter and Hill cleared the danger as Drissi threatened before Totesaut replaced the injured Kaddu. A harsh flag denied Harding who was in on goal and, after another foul on Benali, his free kick to the far post saw Harding head wide. Hughes forced a fine save after more great team play from Wood but Newton had to be alert to deny Johnson and Harris fired just wide before Zavo forced a good save and Baxter fired straight at Young, with the game getting even better to watch. Greenwood fired over the bar and Young held well on the skiddy surface before a superb shot from Benali hit the upright. Bishop saved from Nuur before Obengo and White replaced Harding and Nuur. Borrell was strong in denying Baxter and baxter was just wide from 30 yards before Young denied Johnson again as Sports upped the ante. Young saved twice and Borrell was the last line of defence and there was a penalty shout from the home side though it was difficult to see what had exactly happened. Newton was on the floor and the referee waved a yellow card in the direction of the Wood subs bench with the outcome of the melee a Wood free kick! Curious. Young saved well again and he punched a cross clear before, in the final seconds, he produced a point earning superb save as did Bishop when Benali looked set to send all 3 points to Wibbandune.
FT 1-1 – A superb game from both sides and well refereed. I am not sure what CCL clubs have to do to get more spectators watching their matches but those not there today missed a good 'un! Man of the match could hae been anyone for Wood. Good friendly welcome as usual too!