by STEPHEN PAGE

LITTLE Oakley manager Sean Tynan is delighted with the progress his side are making as they continue to adapt to life in the Thurlow Nunn League.

The Acorns sit 16th in division one with eight points from ten games, following their 2-2 draw at home to Braintree Town Reserves on Saturday.

Tynan’s side were comprehensively beaten 7-1 by the Iron last month and Tynan says he can see how far his players have come since then.

He said: “It was only three to four weeks ago we went over there and lost 7-1.

“So in that respect, I’m happy.

“It shows how far we’ve progressed as a team.

“It shows we’re getting better and it shows the work we’re putting in is coming good.

“We’re getting used to how to play teams.

“When we first started, we didn’t know what formations teams were playing or who we were playing against.

“We’re learning really quickly and the boys are taking in all the instructions.

“I know I stand here and shout to encourage them, but they’ve taken it on.

“We take a lot from these games, so fair play to them, they’ve been really good.”

The Acorns were on course to beat their seventh-placed opponents until Joseph Jones struck in the 89th-minute to take a point home for Braintree.

Despite the late equaliser, Tynan was accepting of the result.

He said: “I know in hindsight you’d say the game was there to be won, but equally they’ll probably feel a bit upset having come off the back of our previous match, as well as being 1-0 up.

“They would’ve thought they’d have gone on to win. I’m happy with a point.

“If you’d told me before the game we were going to get a point I would’ve taken it.”

“Yes it’s a draw but we would’ve taken that all day long.”

Oakley’s attendances have been on a steady rise since the start of the season.

Saturday saw the highest of the season so far at the Memorial Ground, with 193 coming through the turnstile to see the Acorns play.

Compared with the opening day turnout of 127 against Wisbech St Mary, it represents a considerable increase in support and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Tynan said: “The support was fantastic. There were 193 there – what club gets that at this level?

“We love it when they come. They’re our 12th man. It lifts the players all the time, home and away.”

Oakley had a League Challenge Cup tie at Hadleigh United on Tuesday night and won 1-0, thanks to an early goal from Ryan Smart.

The Acorns visit Tower Hamlets tomorrow for an FA Vase second round qualifying tie (3pm).