With the weather preventing Teversal a game last weekend, it meant the visit of Holbrook St Michaels to the Tomlin Personnel Park was a back-to-back fixture with the Derbyshire side. From the previous game, the host went into the game hoping to see their efforts rewarded after feeling they was denied anything in the last outing in the 3-1 loss which was a harsh reflection on the game.

But Holbrook had other ideas, taking advantage of Will Hunter’s indecision to pinch the ball before overloading the home back line with Josh Gregory and Danny O’Donnell combining to find Richard Hanslow with the time and space to clinically fire low across Jablonski to take a 3rd minute lead. The goal really set the tone for the first 15 minutes with both sides giving the ball away far to easily and not taking advantage of their opponent’s failings to take control of the game.

After that poor initial quarter of an hour the game settled into a much better game, with it turning into an intriguing midfield battle with goal mouth action at a premium with the defences holding firm. Teversal had a strong penalty shout when Cory Burton worked his way to the by-line to pull back to Josh Parfitt who was manhandled to the ground by Strzyzewski, but those strong claims were instantly waved away by the Referee.

Holbrook could and possible should have doubled their lead when again an error was forced, with the ball worked out to Hanslow, who superbly timed his pass to the unmarked Ryan Baker who took the opportunity first time to be denied by a superb save low to his right by the Teversal custodian Jablonski, to ensure that his side went into the break 1-0 down, but still in the game.

Thankfully, the second half started as the second half finished, with a good open competitive game, but the status quo of the defences remaining steadfast was a key feature. That was until the 57th minute, when Teversal finally gained their reward, Bamford who had replaced Radford at the break, delivered a corner that found the timely run of Hadley to head home the equaliser, with the home side hoping that would inspire them to push on and gain the desperately needed win. Something that looked on when another corner caused problems in the Holbrook 18 yard box before the ball was only half cleared to Scott Taylor who hit a measured effort from 18 yards out that beat Hartshorn in the visitors goal, but smashed against the bar.

Controversy surrounded Holbrook regaining the lead on 64 minutes, when Hanslow was fouled by Scott Taylor’s desperate challenge outside of the penalty, but the Referee was the only person in the ground who thought it was in the penalty area. But the penalty was awarded with Ryan Baker superbly dispatching the spot kick into the top corner leaving Jablonski no chance at all to prevent the visitors making it 2-1.

Teversal responded positively, pushing to find a second equaliser with Holbrook now more contempt in getting people behind the ball and hitting the host on the break, which they did effectively. So much so they were rewarded with a third goal on 72 minutes when Josh Gregory broke clear forcing Jablonski to make an excellent save with an outstretched leg but wasn’t afforded any luck as the ball looped up and over Baines allowing Hanslow to head home for his second of the afternoon to make it 3-1 with 18 to play.

It would have been easy for the home side to capitulate on this set back, especially after what happened in the game a fortnight ago, when they were left with nothing when they deserved something. But credit to them for pulling a goal back on 74 minutes, when they were patient in working the ball forward through to Parfitt who played an inch perfect ball into the path of Cory Burton who finished with aplomb past the stranded Hartshorn to make for an interesting finish to the game that started so poorly, to be an intriguing game.

Teversal were now controlling the game and were pushing for a leveller and possible more, but credit to Holbrook as they also created opportunities themselves with Taylor, Ordidge and Baines having to make desperate blocks with Jablonski on hand to clean up too. That bravery by the Tevie Boys was finally rewarded in the 86 minute when an unforced error saw Bamford score a wonder goal when he picked up the loose ball some 35 yards out to fire an effort that Hartshorn could only tip onto the underside of the bar as the equaliser nestled into the back of the net to make it 3-3, and nothing less than Tevie deserved.

The game came to an end, with both sides coming away thinking they have done enough for the win, so may be the draw is a fair result, but after a poor start to the game, it ended up being a good game, demonstrating the strength of the league when a team at the bottom of the table can complete with one sitting sixth.

Teversal: Adam Jablonski, Oli Baines, Scott Taylor, Ryan Ordidge, Nathan Hadley, Callum Spencer, Sam Jackson (Dillon Gregory 69), Josh Parfitt, Josh Radford (45 Kurt Bamford), Cory Burton, Will Hunter (Harley Moore 75). Subs Not Used: Shane Burton, Rocco Hardy.

Tevie Bar Player Of The Match - Scott Taylor

Next outing is on Tuesday 25th February 2025 with a local Derby with Mansfield Hosiery Mills the visitors to Teversal’s Tomlin Personnel Park with a 7:45pm kick off.