Second top Grey Horse Over 40's played second bottom Hebburn and the result was not what was expected, a 1 - 1 draw. With a large squad to pick from manager Martin Joyce stayed with a 3-5-2 formation that has worked well over the last few weeks. Horse started with good ball play and movement and looked comfortable creating attacking play in the Hebburn half. After twenty minutes substitutions were made and one of these, Russell Mercer, had a good chance to open the scoring but could only blast his chance at the away keeper with the goal at his mercy. Good solo breaks from midfield by Mark Greenwood resulted in a Hebburn defender crudely bringing him down outside thebox and also Darren Foster taking the ball off his toe end to shoot wide when he should have let Greenwood continue his run on goal. Against the run of play Hebburn opened the scoring just before half time, the goal being gifted from poor defensive play at the bye line. At one nil down at half time Horse needed to produce goals in the second half from their domination of the game and get more width into their play. Horse were finding the away defence resolute and difficult to get past as players were congested in the centre of the pitch, giving the Horse players little space to work in. More substitutions were made to try and get a deserved goal but the Hebburn defence and goal frame remained solid, hanging on to their slender lead. With five minutes remaining the equaliser was scored, Pat Bowtell shooting goal wards from the edge of the area through a cluster of players, taking a slight deflection off Kevin Hallimond to give the Horse much needed joy and relief. As usual of late attacking play was not converted into more goals but a point gained from a game that was looking for a long time like a defeat.
Next game:
Durham City Strollers (away) meet in Grey Horse car park 9.15
