Earley Gunners were fortunate to scrape a draw against Loxwood Res in the second game of the double header.
Gunners looked more tired than their opponents in the first half and found it more difficult to settle into their style of play against a determined Loxwood Res team who were keen to avenge the last result.
Loxwood deservedly took the lead when a cross from the right hand side was headed in across the goal and the opposition had a slender lead 1-0 lead at half time. Gunners had the benefit of the wind and the slope in the second half but could only create a few half chances.
Loxwood then scored a second goal when the ball skipped past Paul Ali on the right touchline and their forward took the ball into the box and scored with a cute chip past the keeper.
Loxwood had a further chance to increase the lead when they were awarded a free kick in the box when Julian was adjudged to have handled a pass back. Fortunately, the shot span wide.
With about 10-15 minutes to go, it looked all over for Gunners. However, this changed when Gunners scored a goal from a corner.
Fraser McNaughton challenged the keeper who appeared drop the ball and John Monksmith scored from close range. With a few minutes to go, it was all to play for and Gunners managed to scramble a last minute goal from Paul Clark which was helped in by a Loxwood player.
The final score was a 2-2 draw although Gunners did well to battle back in the last few minutes, the team were probably a little fortunate to share the points as Loxwood Res looked the better side in this game. Paul Marten was Gunners "Man of the Match".
Match Facts
MOM : P Marten
Goals : J Monksmith (1), P Clark (1)
Team
Pictures
