Histon 1 Felixstowe & Walton 1
Felixstowe & Walton picked up a hard earned point in the mud at Bridge Road against a home side who have been in a rich vein of form since Christmas, writes Chris Ryan.
It was touch and go whether the game would go ahead or not as the rain continued to fall right up to kick-off time, and it was credit to both sides that they tried to get the ball down and play on an increasingly heavy surface.
In the end, both teams deservedly earned a share of the points from a competitive encounter, with Felixstowe having the better of the first half exchanges but grateful to keeper Danny Crump for an injury time save, to preserve a draw after playing the final half hour with ten men.
Joe Francis, having given the visitors the lead with an excellent free kick six minutes into the second half, was dismissed following a second yellow card in the 65th minute, and within four minutes the home side were level through Ed Rolf – the Seasiders having to dig deep to see the game through.
After the game, joint manager Kevin O’Donnell was happy with the point saying, “The boys worked really hard and matched Histon physically. I thought we had control of the game in the first half and were unlucky not to score.
“In the second half we scored early but going down to ten men changed the game, we kept battling well but tired legs began to show as the game went on. Overall, very happy with a point against a good side, which may be an important one come the end of the season.
Neither keeper was seriously troubled in a first half where both sides showed plenty of attacking intent. Miles Powell struck a Histon post and shot narrowly wide with Jenkins, Hayden and Key all going close for the home side. Scott Chaplin and Rhys Barber both saw their efforts blocked by the Histon defence before Francis fired just over the home bar to bring the half to a close.
The referee allowed little leeway for the conditions, producing his yellow card eight times, plus the red for Francis in what was a physical encounter, but never dirty.
A low drive from Weinman was well saved by Crump as Histon sensed victory following Francis’ dismissal. Wright missed a great opportunity from 12 yards, and In response Bennett tested Roach in the home goal, before Crump saved from Key to confirm a point for the league leaders.
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