Luddesdown Lions were robbed of all three points in their first away fixture in the Rochester & District league, after the referee allowed a goal that had failed to cross the line.
The visitors had taken the lead against DRW Houdini Boys thanks to a Reece Foxon free-kick 26 minutes into the first half, but were forced to settle for a point after the home-side’s controversial long range strike.
It was a depleted Lions side that made its way across the county to Medway, Ryan Avery’s squad was plagued by 12 absences to the first team.
However the coach managed to assemble a side that dug in and battled hard to take home a point.
Brad Norris was forced to step up to goal keeping duty following the cup shoot out heroics of Elliot Jones the week before and emergency loan signing Daniel Sharkey was also drafted in up front.
It was a tough contest from the get go for the Lions, a physical and athletic Houdini side refused to bow down and although they lacked quality in the final third, they rarely afforded the visitors clear opportunities on goal.
It took an individual piece of skill from Foxon to put the visitors in front.
After a cheap foul on the edge of the area - winger Foxon floated a beautifully struck free-kick into the bottom corner of the goal, leaving the motionless Houdini keeper gawping.
The Lions were buoyed by their lead lead but still found it hard to fully stamp their authority on the game.
They did have a chance to double their lead after loanee striker, Sharkey, ran on to a through ball, lofting a shot over the out rushing Houdini keeper.
Any Lions joy was short-lived though, when the referee dubiously declared the goal offside.
The battle continued in the midfield with both teams working hard to build up momentum however it was the home-side that made the breakthrough.
A clumsy touch from midfielder Alex Matthews was picked up by a Houdini midfielder 10 yards outside of the 18 yard box, the midfielder then took a touch before lashing a thunderous strike onto the cross bar, with the ball bouncing down before being cleared by the Lions defence.
The referee, although unable to adequately gauge whether the ball had crossed the line or not, gave the goal, leaving the Lions furious and the home-side delighted.
As the whistle blew for half time there was a feeling of frustration at the referee and satisfaction at a competent performance.
Avery’s men continued to fight for the three points in the second half, the industry of striker Paul Uings proving a constant nuisance to the Houdini defence.
Although he didn’t get on the score sheet the front-man’s performance was definitely one of the strongest on the pitch.
Further controversy was to mar the game when a Houdini defender deliberately blocked a goal-bound shot with his elbow on the line, surprisingly the referee was none the wiser.
It felt like it was going to be one of those days for Avery’s men with tempers fraying, both Matthews and Sharkey saw their name enter the book.
Matthews picking up a yellow for kicking the ball away in frustration after an offside decision and Sharkey for his part in goal mouth handbags.
The Lions could be in their right to feel hard done by as they left Medway with only a point for their troubles, but their unbeaten run now stretches to four games and with squad members returning for this weekend’s clash – things can only get better.
Luddesdowne Lions XI - Norris; Clarke, Damo, Jones, Adkin; Foxon, Chidlow, Watson, Matthews ; Sharkey, Uings
Subs – N/A
