Holbrook St Michaels 1-1 Eastwood Community

Bottom of the league Holbrook took the initiative in an end to end game that generally lacked in quality, but Matt Clowes bundled in a second half equaliser for Community to stretch their unbeaten run to three games in the league. There was to be a sour ending to this game after a heated exchange resulted in Eastwood finishing the game a man down.

Winger Natthawat Areerat was Holbrook's biggest threat throughout the match and he provided a sublime free-kick, opening the scoring in a slow burning game.

The initiative had been there for the taking for either team, but neither could make use of the ball. A dead ball situation was the most likely means of finding a breakthrough, and so it was.

Eastwood hit back after a hopeful free-kick from the half-way line bounced around in the area and was pounced upon by Clowes to rescue their fifth point from three games.

Long balls and hopeless crosses were in abundance for both teams but final deliveries were poor and easily snapped up by respective goalkeepers in the first third of the game.

It took until the thirty-sixth minute for the crowd to witness any real action, when Holbrook blocked an effort and made what looked like a routine clearance. However Eastwood's front line were incensed and felt the ball had touched a Holbrook hand, contact or none, the referee waved away their claims.

Play continued in a messy fashion until Eastwood gave away a free-kick that provided Holbrook with an opportunity to take the lead. Areerat stepped over the ball and struck a curling effort that caught the visitors out, Andy Fretwell was able to get a hand to it but couldn't stop it from nestling into the back of the net.

Wood were facing their first defeat in four games in all competitions going in at half time and lacking the cohesion fans are hoping to see more of.

They came out all guns blazing and took the game by the scruff in the second half, it didn't take long before they put themselves on level terms. This time, a much more measured long ball from a Leeming free-kick caused Holbrook problems in their area, they failed to deal with it and Clowes put the ball in from close range.

Whilst Eastwood began to exert a little more pressure, play was still dull and the teams' defenses remained resolute, keeping opportunities at a premium.

Holbrook won another free-kick in a similar position to their opener, but this time Fretwell was all over it and gathered it comfortably into his chest.

The away side finally began to turn the screw in the final ten minutes of the game and created chances that could have seen them snatch the three points. First they dragged a decent effort wide, then Jake Danby hit a free-kick over the crossbar, a draw looking more and more likely.

Danby was to have the best opportunity to change the games outcome when he fired a screamer that rattled the crossbar in the closing stages of the game.

The action wasn't set to end there and Kye Hall added some late drama when he kicked off at Jordan Butcher, the striker raised his hands to Butcher and argued that he had been provoked. The referee took into account both teams views, choosing to send Hall off in the 90th minute and showing Butcher a yellow card for his part in the altercation.

A further dampener on a disappointing draw.

Holbrook St Michaels: Dan Waddington, George Bradley, Shane Burrows, Scott Dawson, John West, Rob Inkle, Mike Smith, Jordan Butcher, Charlie McCormack, Micky Dunn (C), Natthawat Areerat.

Subs: Luke Fenton, Richard West, Jon Pearce.

Eastwood Community: Andy Fretwell, Jake Danby, Jordan Leeming, Matt McCaul, Jack Havron (C), Frazer Dulson, Matt Clowes, Kieran Heath, Nick Hewer, Kye Hall, Kione Gordon.

Subs: Karl James, Liam Perry, Danny Arnold, Adam Jackson, Anthony Bedward.