Supported by a bumper ‘Club and Community day’ attendance the Seasiders retained their unbeaten home league record, but it was a close call with the Jockeys responding well to their heavy midweek Vase defeat at Stotfold.
Felixstowe, ahead on 14 minutes thanks to a Connor Field headed goal, were reduced to ten players shortly after the interval with Stuart Ainsley receiving a second caution. Ollie Snaith brought the sides level on the hour mark with a well-taken goal for the Jockeys but the home side defended well and came close to claiming the points on the break.
The Seasiders came close to taking the lead in the first minute with Barney McLaughlin in the visitors’ goal getting finger tips to Ainsley’s low shot from distance at the expense of a corner.
The lively start continued with Rhys Barber heading over the visitors goal from an Ainsley corner and Mark Webster clearing off the line, as Jamal Wiggins met one of a number of crosses from the busy Sam Taylor.
The visitors enjoyed a good spell of pressure, Tom Knowles making a number of telling crosses with Scott Paterson heading one narrowly over at the far post.
Steve Holder at full stretch saw his effort clear the Felixstowe crossbar moments before the home side took the lead. On 14 minutes Taylor surged down the right wing and his cross was well met by Field heading the ball powerfully passed the diving McLaughlin.
The Jockeys responded quickly with Danny Crump well-placed to save Holder’s header following another good cross from Knowles.
A clearance straight to Knowles was returned with interest but keeper Danny Crump made an excellent save to maintain the narrow lead. Felixstowe’s young forward line always looked dangerous on the break with Taylor striking the foot of McLaughlin’s left-hand post before the interval.
Kyran Andrews and Wiggins both went close after the break before a second yellow card five minutes after the restart for a late challenge by Ainsley led to his dismissal.
The Jockeys increased the pressure in search of an equaliser which duly came on the hour mark when Snaith guided a well-placed shot over the advanced Danny Crump. Encouraged, the Jockeys pressed for a winner with the Felixstowe back line, under Barber’s guidance, giving them little sight of goal.
In truth a draw was a fair result from an open and enjoyable game.
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