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FIRST TEAM SPONSORS
FOR 2009/10 SEASON
RESERVE TEAM SPONSORS
FOR 2009/10 SEASON
LEAGUE SPONSORS
Little Oakley: Mathew Windred; Steven Rogers, Ben Bull, Nathurn Kioussia Lewis Wood; Michael McLaculan, Gavin Mann, Robbie May; john Stace, Jamie Dobkin;
Substitutes: -
Dedham Old Boys: Kyle Worester; Jamie Catney, John Pearce, Steven Coote, Paul Griffith; Kieron Webb, Tony Chatter, Liam Macklin, Daniel Charles; Ryan Leeworhty, Michael Owen.
Substitutes: -
Referee: Mr Daniel McLaughlin (Dovercourt)
Little Oakley failed to consolidate their position at the top of the Premier Division largely due to some inept shooting in front of goal and a fine goal keeping display by Dedham keeper Kyle Worester who hade some crucial saves.
In the end John Stace atoned for missed chances by equalising in the 80th minute in controversial circumstances.
The game opened in blazing sunshine and on a perfectly playable playing surface given the inclement weather of the past few days.
The home side had an early chance when Trevor Lewis released Gavin Mann who moved forward into the box but with a great shooting opportunity elected to square the ball but Steven Coote made a vital interception for the visitors.
At the other end Ben Bull did well to clear on the 6 yard line following Paul Griffith's free kick at the expense of a corner.
At the other end keeper Mathew Windred did well to clear the danger when the speedy Michael Owen fastened on to through ball and Lewis Woods was well positioned to head clear two crosses from the right. There was little fluency in the opening stages because the game was punctuated with free kicks as both sides attempted to take the initiative and Dedham's Tony Chatter was yellow carded.
The home side created a good chance in the 23rd minute when Steven Rogers dispatched a fine ball to Stace who ghosted through on goal but from the edge of the box Worester made a good block to foil the effort and moments later Oakley's Robbie May fired a free kick just wide. Dedham took the lead in the 28th minute. Ryan Leeworthy did well on the wide left before squaring a low cross into the box finding strike partner MICHAEL OWEN whose shot was partially saved by Windred but the ball ran loose and ultimately crossed the line off a defender but OWEN rightly claimed the goal.
The home side had a great chance to draw level when a fine four man move culminated when Stace miscued from 6 yards. The home side stepped up the pressure when Gavin Mann released Trevor Lewis whose cross was met by James Dobkin but his header was comfortably taken by Worester. The home side drew level in the 35th minute when following another good move down the right the ball was crossed to the edge of the box finding GAVIN MANN who seemingly closed down evaded close markers to find enough space to drill a low left shot just inside the post.
However the visitors restored their lead five minutes later when Kieron Webb played a delightful diagonal ball inside the full back enabling Chatter to make a penetrating run down the right and crossing in to the box picking out RYAN LEEWORTHY who planted a fine header across the despairing reach of the keeper. The home side replied with two efforts before the break. Firstly May's corner was headed on target by Lewis but Worester palmed over and then Michael McLaculin sent a fierce low drive that fully extended the keeper who saved at the foot of the post.
Half Time: Little Oakley 1 v Dedham Old Boys 2
The home side made a determined start but Stace missed in front of goal. Lewis released Mann but his cross lacked support in the box and the keeper easily gathered. McLaculan's free kick into the box was scrambled away but only to May who sent a low shot that Worester comfortably saved.
However Dedham nearly increased their lead when Daniel Charles took a great position
in the box but as he was about to shoot a timely interception was made. "Oakley"
then contrived to miss successive chances -
In a now rare Dedham attack leeworthy turned and sent a fine shot that Windred superbly saved and from the ensuing corner Webb volleyed just over. The homes side had another great chance when Woods played in Lewis whose first time low cross to the six yard line found the unmarked Stace but he missed from three yards.
However the home side finally drew level in the 80th minute in controversial circumstances when JOHN STACE finally found the net with a fine volley giving the keeper no chance. However before the strike the assistant referee had flagged for offside but after consultation the referee warded the goal. Two minutes later Owen was pulled down in the box and there were strong appeals for a penalty but the referee ruled in favour of the home side and the appeal denied. In the closing stages" Man of the Match" Michael McLaculan powerfully drove just wide.
On the overall balance of play a draw was about right but on chances "Oakley" spurned numerous opportunities that should have resulted in maximum points.
Full Time: Little Oakley 2 v Dedham Old Boys 2
John Campany
7th February 2009
Little Oakley 2 -