Woodbridge and Framlingham shared four goals in exciting clash at Notcutts in front of big crowd

Mark Ray puts Woodbridge ahead against Framlingham. Photo: PAUL LEECH (Image: Paul Leech)

Both Woodbridge and Framlingham maintained their unbeaten Thurlow Nunn Division One records in a hard-fought match with the away side defending superbly in the last 35 minutes with ten men to gain a point in front of a crowd of 265 at Notcutts Park on Friday night.

Mark Ray’s shot was deflected for a corner after four minutes and a minute later his header went over the bar for the Woodpeckers.

Jake Taylor’s header was well saved by home keeper Alfie Stronge after 10 minutes. The home side took the lead after 19 minutes when Ray beat the offside trap, controlled the ball brilliantly and beat away keeper Sam Chilvers to make it 1-0. Ryan Keeble’s effort went over the bar after 28 minutes but after 34 minutes the away side equalised when Cyrus Thorpe’s shot on the half volley flew into the net to make it 1-1.

Ray’s shot tested Chilvers after 40 minutes and George Bowman’s free kick went just wide of the post just before half-time.

Fram went ahead after 47 minutes when the unmarked Johnny Kerridge headed home from a corner to make it 2-1, while Kelsey Trotter’s shot again tested Chilvers after 68 minutes and a minute later Matt Mackenzie’s accurate cross was met by Ray but his shot hit the post with Chilvers beaten.

Ray’s effort again tested the busy Chilvers after 71 minutes but the Woodpeckers made it 2-2 after 84 minutes when Scopes’ persistence paid off and from his pass Ray’s shot beat Chilvers.

Meanwhile in the Premier Division, Walsham and Haverhill Rovers drew 2-2.

Walsham had the first real chance of the game when a great run by Tom Debenham ended with him passing to Cameron Nichols who shot wide. At the other end Duncan Mcanally saved from Sam Holmes. As the hosts pressed Ryan Twinn put in Sam Peters whose shot went narrowly wide.

In the second half Haverhill broke away and Rory Jebb had a shot which was parried by Mcanally but Debenham got back to clear off the line.

Haverhill took the lead when Mcanally fumbled a Luke Haynes free-kick into the net. Haynes made it 2-0 with a superbly taken goal. Mcanally pulled off a great save to deny Lawrence Healey and Walsham went straight to the other end and when keeper Charlie Turner failed to collect a cross Twinn was on hand to score.

Marc Abbott danced past two challenges but again Mcanally saved well. A deserved point apiece was obtined when Walsham sub Callum Dongray found Nichols who scored from close range.