Essex Wanderers 2 Oaks Athletic 2

Maybe this was the first game played in drizzling conditions this season, but it was probably one of the more difficult tests of football for the Oaks team. The pitch was a mudbath with waterlogged areas. It also seemed a wide pitch, with a lot of space. Mud kind of hampers use of this space. Anyway, enough about mud.

The first half was hard fought, and a defensive blunder cost oaks a soft goal at the back. Oaks managed to get a goal back before half time with a hard and low corner from Jackson, which caused confusion in the box. A flick with one of Long Gollum's huge boots and the ball was in the net. 1-1 at the interval.

In the second half Essex Wanderers held posession well in the middle of the park, but Oaks still looked dangerous on the break. One of the long shots by Wanderers took a deflection and wrong footed Parker and it went into the corner of the net.

Not long after this Oaks got another goal after a quick counter attack. An accurate pass from J. Gray O' KERIN carved a hole in the defence which Jackson took in his stride and levelled matters with a clinical finish.

Oaks held out until the end, with several chances from both sides not amounting to much. The league table should be interesting in a few games time.

For the next three weeks we are playing at blackshots. Next week we are playing Hilltop.