LITTLE OAKLEY 2

WEELEY ATHLETIC 1

Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division

OAKLEY started the new year as they ended the last with a solid performance against a very good Weeley outfit.

Before the match, both sides observed a minute's silence in memory of West Bergholt fixture secretary Terry Smith, who sadly passed away over Christmas.

The game that then followed was very even, between two teams who created several chances.

As early as the first minute, a good headed clearance by Ben Hammond fell straight to Jordan Heath, who ran the full length of the pitch - only to see his shot deflected over the bar by Duffus.

Oakley were knocking at the door and their next chance again fell to Heath, but he guided his effort inches past Freeman's far post after good work by Stephen Polley.

Just before the half-hour mark, a golden chance was created by Rob Pratt.

He collected a pass out wide on the right saw but his excellent cross was headed inches off-target by Heath.

A poor pass by Mark Palmer allowed Weeley to break in numbers, pressing Oakley back.

However, Hammond made great strides and McLean delayed just long enough for Hammond to make a timely tackle.

With time running out, another chance fell to Pratt, after Polley struck a sweet shot that hit the post.

It rebounded to Pratt, with his back to goal, and he tried a cheeky backheel that was cleared off the line.

With a minute left until half-time, the breakthrough came.

After some great defending in the Oakley area, Jamie Dobkin brought the ball out and, with Rory Harman and Sam Eldridge on hand, the ball fell to Pratt.

He reacted the quickest and rounded the keeper to score from an acute angle.

Weeley were forced to make an early change for the second half as Freeman was replaced by stand-in keeper Heffer.

He was called into action immediately, making a save low down from Eldridge.

However, it was Weeley that came out of the blocks the quickest in the second half and, three minutes in, they levelled when a deep cross from Davis found the dangerous Nash to power home an equaliser.

Heffer, in the visiting goal, was the busier keeper and another great save denied Heath, after good work by Polley.

Another attack by Pratt saw him fire a low cross into the area, just behind Nicky Palmer.

It just needed a touch for the second goal but he couldn't wrap his foot around the ball.

Oakley were then thwarted again by Heffer, blocking Pratt's near-post effort.

Weeley had their moments but couldn't contend with Oakley's defenders.

Another goal was coming and it arrived ten minutes from time.

A great interception by Hammond found Pratt, in space in the middle of the park, and he turned Duffus before firing in a shot that took a slight deflection past the stranded Heffer.

With Weeley pinned back in the last third, Oakley looked to kill the game off but they were denied by some frantic defending by the visitors.

Tomorrow sees the first team travel to Earls Colne, while the reserves are at home to Cressing and the A team are away to Mersea. All kick-off at 2pm.