The proverbial game of two halves was played out at Hemsworth as The Ambers comfortably controlled the first 45 minutes before having to withstand almost constant pressure from the home side in the second period and the game ended with two goals and the points shared.
It was perhaps a fair reflection of the game that both goals were scored by centre backs in a game that was dominated by both defences with good chances limited at both ends of the pitch.
The sight of keeper Ben Townsend on crutches wasn’t the best of starts to the afternoon but late replacement Alfie Hayes-Daubney, signed from Hallam on Friday, proved to be a more than adequate replacement between the sticks and came close to keeping a clean sheet on his debut with a solid display.
There was an early blow for The Ambers when, after just 7 minutes, the recalled Jordan Lonchar went down clutching his hamstring and had to leave the action, James Oliver replacing him from the bench.
It was the hosts who were making the early running and the debutant keeper was kept fairly busy, making comfortable saves from a Hebda header and a Swinburn effort before The Ambers made their first positive move forward when Jack Harrison broke well on the right and fed Mitch Dunne, but the marksman’s effort flew wide.
Swinburn was then unlucky for The Wells when his long range effort crashed against the crossbar and the home supporters were even more disappointed just a minute later when an Andy Gascoigne free kick picked out Rikki Paylor in the area and the skipper provided the finishing touch from close in to put The Ambers ahead with his first goal of the season.
The lead should have been doubled minutes later when Sam Smith fed Oliver down the left but Wells keeper Greatorex stood up well and took the full force of Oliver’s shot as he came out to meet the winger. Unfortunately for the keeper, that was his last involvement as a broken finger forced him off straight after the incident, with outfield substitute Davis taking over in goal.
The replacement proved immediately that he was no novice as he saved at the feet of Smith after Oliver put him in on goal, and then saved a low Leon Howarth effort at his near post. At the other end, Barks headed an effort wide after a long throw and it was then Davis at the heart of the action again as he saved an Oliver effort before the rebound was fired into the side netting by the same player. Hayes-Daubney then produced the save of the match to end the half when he clawed away a Viggars effort that was heading towards the top corner.
Just seconds after the break, The Ambers injury jinx struck again when Sam Smith took a hit to an already injured ankle and he was replaced by Rion Arbouin. Howarth and Oliver both saw decent efforts whistle over the home bar before the hosts started to really apply some pressure, Swaine bringing out another great save from the keeper and Gascoigne clearing one off the line.
Swaine then fired right across the six yard box before he then headed a chance against the post and the ball was scrambled away as far as Tingle who fired just over. Hebda then headed a corner wide at the front stick before a low Tingle strike was initially fumbled but quickly gathered by Hayes-Daubney. How The Ambers were managing to repel the home side for so long was quite something but Paylor and Alfie Smith particularly were doing just that, until finally the dam was broken as Viggars headed home from a free kick into the box with 12 minutes to go.
The Ambers then threw everything at Hemsworth for the final few minutes and were desperately unlucky when a Harrison goal was controversially ruled out by the referee who blew just before the ball crossed the line as Davis was lying prostrate on the ground after challenging for a corner. As a free kick had not been awarded for a foul on the keeper, the decision to stop play was perplexing and even the referee’s assessor raised an eyebrow at that one.
There was still time for further late drama when Swaine’s free kick missed the top corner by a matter of inches before Hebda was sin binned for the home side in injury time, and the last action of the game saw Richard Tootle’s effort from way out on the left strike the crossbar and bounce away to safety.
In the end, The Ambers were probably grateful to come away with a point after the second half onslaught, but in truth, the game should have been won by half time given the clear cut opportunities created.