Late equaliser sees Greens fall just short of back-to-back victories.
Despite some terrific play and a tremendous second half performance, an 85th minute equaliser from Tiverton’s Charlie Bateson saw the Greens drop two vital points in their battle against relegation.
Hendon FC, fresh off of a fantastic 3-1 win the previous Saturday against Plymouth Parkway, started off brightly. The pace and energy of their forward line put the Tiverton back line under a lot of pressure, meanwhile the technical ability and close-quick passing of the Greens’ midfield delt effectively with Tiverton’s compact defensive shape. The early signs were promising, but it was a Tiverton counter attack that brought the first heart in mouth moment. A through ball to Niall Thompson saw the Tiverton forward racing through on goal. Hafed Al Droubi pounced straight off his goal line, putting Thompson off just enough to force him to rush his effort, which centre back Daniel Matsuzaka cleared away with relative ease.
Still, it seemed to prove a turning point in the game as now it was Tiverton’s turn to attack. They did so in numbers, keeping that compact shape high up the pitch. In particular, the strength and speed of Thompson, and the trickery of Tom Purrington caused chaos amongst a disorganised Hendon back line. Furthermore, a hamstring injury to Joe White, meant that Hendon had lost their focal point for counter attacks and would struggle to keep the ball. In the dying minutes of the first half Tiverton’s pressure paid off. Thompson hitting a powerful cross in from a quick Tiverton counter attack which Lucas Vowles blasted over Al Droubi into the net. 1-0 Tiverton, and it was deserved. Hendon’s forward players, initially bright and buzzing, had struggled to settle into the game.
The second half kicked off, and Lee Allison’s half time team talk had done the trick as the Greens came out sharp and quick and with a point to prove. Within 10 minutes they had done just that. Liam Brooks wound and weaved through the Tiverton right flank and sent in a chipped cross that Shaun Lucien volleyed in with a spectacular scissor kick. 1-1 and the Greens didn’t stop there. Hungry for the second the talent of Brooks, Lucien and front man Niko Muir-Merchant relentlessly charged at the Tiverton back line. To their credit, Tiverton defended well, remaining compact and keeping their shape. It couldn’t save them from Hendon’s front three linking up to put the Greens ahead. Brooks with another devastating run down the wing, crossed it to Lucien who laid it off for Muir-Merchant to blast it hard and low into the Tiverton net, leaving keeper Oliver Saunders with no chance. 59 minutes gone and from 1-0 down Hendon were 2-1 up.
Now it was Tiverton who needed to step out, and step out they did. Led by Purrington, their midfield surged forward at Hendon’s. The next 20 minutes saw neither team able to dominate the game. Midfield battles brought the best out of Hendon’s Thomas Jackson and Leo Donnellan, the latter of which provided an effective source for counter attacks. As the match went on though, Tiverton, as they had done in the first half, surged forward in numbers, pressing Hendon back. A good solid performance from the Greens’ back line, missing the suspended Dave Diedhou, kept the Yellows at bay. It couldn’t last. In what seems to be a recurring misfortune for the Greens this season, the opposition scored late on. Substitute Bateson leapt up to meet an 85th minute corner to score Tiverton’s equaliser. 2-2, now Hendon needed to rally themselves for a final push for the winner. Despite a considered effort from the Greens, it wasn’t to be. 2-2 the final score, giving Hendon a vital point that brings them above Harrow Borough to 18th. Having been 2-1 up and playing well however, Allison will no doubt feel frustrated, that they didn’t walk away with all three points, which would have seen them close the gap on Gosport Borough in 17th.
Hendon 1 Hafed Al-Droubi 2 Josh Dawodu 3 Lucas Perry 4 Leo Donnellan 5 Daniel Matsuzaka 6 Liam Brooks 7 Thomas Jackson 8 Joe White 9 Niko Muir 10 Shaun Lucien 11 Rohdell Gordon 12 Bagname Keita 15 Rohdell Gordon 16 Kieron Forbes 17 Arthur Iontton 18 Solomon Sambou Tiverton Town FC 1 Oliver Saunders 2 Joe Belsten 3 Craig Woodman 4 Pedro Borges 5 Edward James 6 Joshua Jones 7 Chukwuka Iseguan 8 Tom Purrington 9 Lucas Vowles 10 Niall Thompson 11 Dylan Jones 12 Charlie Bateson 14 Isaac McCue 15 Scott Rogers 16 George Russell 17 Jack Carpenter