by DAVID CHOPPING

WIVENHOE TOWN 3

LITTLE OAKLEY 3

Thurlow Nunn League

division one south

OAKLEY will wonder how they dropped two points from a game that was there for the taking.

Things did not start well for them and they fell behind in the fourth minute, when Donaldson got the better of Rory Harman.

His shot deflected off Harman and sailed into the top corner, over goalkeeper Luke Tynan.

Darbon, in the Wivenhoe defence, got an important block in as Harry Mann took aim and then, from a Stephen Polley corner, Lewis Wood's header was cleared off the line by Johnson.

Donaldson was causing Harman problems and, after nutmegging him, he made ground being pulling the back for Edwards.

However, the Dragons player shot wide.

A long throw from Franky Selwyn put Wivenhoe under pressure, with Wood going close.

Reid, in the home goal, then denied Polley, who picked up a loose ball before shooting.

However, after applying pressure, Oakley levelled when a long-range free-kick by Harry Windred saw Wood rise to head home, giving Reid no chance.

An important tackle by Darbon denied Polley another opening but with Selwyn's long throws causing Wivenhoe problems, it wasn't long before the Acorns went ahead.

On 36 minutes, another throw by Selwyn saw Wivenhoe defend poorly and Windred's header was blocked by keeper Reid - only for Mann to pounce and turn the ball into the net.

The second half started poorly and Oakley found themselves behind in six crazy minutes.

An awful mistake by Tynan, from a shot from distance, saw him let the ball through his legs and hands.

Then, three minutes later, Wivenhoe went ahead when a free-kick allowed Branson to power a header home, with Tynan rooted.

A throw from Ben Gallifant saw Woods' header go over and it was Gallifant's last action of the game, being replaced by Lee Barrett.

Oakley should have levelled after Mann, in space, turned his man.

However, he made the wrong option and should have had a shot, rather than looking for a teammate.

A good jump by Jamie Dobkin saw his header release Selwyn, who tested Reid.

However, the keeper punched a good effort clear.

Having created plenty of pressure, Oakley levelled when Greg Rodger found space to turn and rifle his shot past a fully stretched Reid, nestling into the corner of the net.

With Barrett causing the home side problems, Mann went close, with Reid beaten, and Barrett sent another effort over the bar.

Mark Palmer's pass sent Mann free and he shot inches over the bar as time was running out.

In injury time, there was a melee between the two sets of players and it led to two from each side being sent off.

On Saturday, Oakley's first team travel to May and Baker while their reserves are at home to Barnston (both 3pm).

The A team are at home to Burnham Ramblers in the Essex Junior Cup (2pm).

On Thursday night, the under-18s are at home to Witham Town Reserves (7.45pm).