At last Wrington Redhill were able to stage their first home game at the Rec following pitch problems due to the prolonged dry weather over the summer causing wide cracks in a number of areas.
The home side were able to field a strong side with nearly all the squad available to caretaker player/manager Leigh White. The first half performance was the best display this season and whilst it was 0-0 at half time there was plenty of action and goal chances created by both sides with Louis Rouvrais causing all sorts of problems with his pace and power.
The visitors had their first attempt when Harry Donachie blasted over the bar from a free kick. Almost immediately from an Ollie Clements corner won by Rory Thomas a Rouvrais shot was pushed away by ‘keeper Matt Lewis to Leigh White and then saved his shot. Further chances came with home ‘keeper Matt Hill thwarting the Stockwood attack pushing a Joe Cramner effort over the bar. Two more Ollie Clements free kicks and a strike from Jake Horton ended up in Lewis’ hands. Close to the interval a long diagonal ball from Sam Clements found Rouvrais who controlled and turned his defender and brought another fine save from Lewis.
Adam Caulfield replaced Chris Holland for the second half and the pattern of play remained up beat with Whitey and Mike Rowcliffe working hard in the midfield, Jason Potter holding his defence firmly allowing breaks on the flanks to continue with good link up play between Thomas and Ethan Johnson on the left.
Against the run of play Stockwood took the lead when a breakaway found Cramner free and he sent his shot wide of Hill. This spurred on the home side even more and an equaliser quickly came. Another Ollie Clements corner this time was headed down by Rowcliffe seeking its way across the line but Sub George Martin claims he got the final touch as the ball with help from the bottom of the post finally crossed the line. Callum Briggs joined Martin up front when Horton was withdrawn to help see the game out for a well deserved point from the 1-1 final score.
Team:-
GK, Matthew Hill
Defence, Christopher Holland, Sam Clements, Jason Potter, Ethan Johnson,
Midfield, Ollie Clements, Leigh White, Mike Rowcliffe, Rory Thomas
Forwards, Jake Horton, Louis Rouvrais
Subs: Adam Caulfield (for Chris Holland), George Martin (for Louis Rouvrais),
Callum Briggs (for Jake Horton)
Bill Gough man of the match – Jason Potter.