Casuals and Pelham never gave up as they fought from behind twice to draw 3-3 with close rivals from last season Sawbridgeworth Town. Pelham knew this would be their toughest test of the campaign so far, knowing that Sawbridgeworth Town had won 3 out of 3 games so far by 3 goals or more and only conceded twice over those games. The game started fast and both teams came straight out the blocks, the first ten minutes were played in the middle of the park with each time trying to win their individual battles across the pitch. The first goal could have gone either way but it was the home side who found the back of the net first. Mark Jolley played a ball in behind Sawbridgeworth Towns back line for Steve Callan to latch on to, he held off the defender well and struck the ball across the goal, hitting the far post and in to the back of the net giving the keeper no chance. Pelham knew that early goal would do them no favours and they would have to continue to work just as hard if not harder as Sawbridgeworth Town came on strong looking for a response. That response came just under ten minutes later as the home side slightly committed too many men forwards looking for that second goal and got caught on the counter attack. A very good Sawbridgeworth side were always going to punish and they did with a quick passing move from one end to the other, finally slotting the ball into the back of the net. The game continued to be played in the middle of the park with both teams battling all over the place. However it was Sawbridgeworth Town who took the lead for the first time as they scored direct from a freekick, which Dan Monk will be disappointed about not doing better. The rest of the first half saw very little chances created by either side and the teams went in to the half with the away side leading 2-1. Pelham were not done yet and from the mood at half time you always knew that Sawbridgeworth would have a fight on their hands in the second half. Pelham started the half fast and straight from kick off were immediately on the attack showing their intent. The next goal would be vital and it didn't take long for it to arrive. Just five minutes into the second half Dan Boyce flicked a ball over the top of the away side defence which Grant Clark ran into and took his shot early catching the keeper off guard and firing into the back of the net, levelling the scores at 2-2. That goal once again got Sawbridgeworth Towns tails up and they pushed on to put themselves back in front. They achieved that on 65 minutes as a long range strike from the opposition saw the ball loop higher than planned, over the monk and into the back of the net putting Sawbridgeworth 3-2 up. However Pelham kept their heads high and continued to push on for their third goal of the game. They were made to wait for it but their well deserved equaliser came on the 80th minute mark as a Paul Knight corner was met with a powerful header from Mark Jolley which beat the keeper with ease. At 3-3 both teams made sure they were solid in defence but still wanted to push on for a winner and the on,y chance in the last ten minutes came as Steve Callan advanced through on goal and tried to square a ball to Adam Notley but the conviction on the pass wasn't quite there, probably due to the fact that everyone had run their socks off for 90 minutes. The game finished 3-3 and neither team deserved to lose so a point each seemed like a fair result. Good result boys and not only does it stretch the unbeaten run to four games now but it keeps us in touching distance of the top of the league and pushes us further away from the rest of the teams below us. Everyone worked their socks off today and no one had a bad game at all, but Mick has decided to give his man of the match for a number of reasons. With a goal and assist to cap a decent all round performance and on his 250th appearance for the club, Mark Jolley is this weeks man of the match. Decent result but let's not focus on it too much, county cup next weekend and then onto another massive game against top of the league Hatfield Heath. COYCAP!Socks far
