SADLER BRACE SAVES FREELAND

Freeland 3 - 2 Oakley Reserves

Oakley can feel disappointed not to have taken at least a point from there visit to The Simon Hole Memorial Ground after an under par Freeland sneaked a last gasp win. In the warm up match before the big away trip to Liverpool Freeland were optimistic of maintaining their unbeaten run after already claiming three points form Oakley earlier in the season.

For the first fifteen minutes Freeland started where they had left of from last weeks game, playing some very good, flowing, patient football. Veteran Darren McNamara and Tom Mason being at the heart of most things in the centre of the park. Freeland drew first blood with midfielder Ben Sadler scoring with a shot from twenty yards which found the Oakley to corner.

This then brought Oakley to life, and for the next twenty minutes they dominated the game. They were unlucky not to have drawn level when from a corner they hit the bar. They continued to look a threat especially from set pieces where some lackluster Freeland defending invited Oakley to level the game. It was only a matter of time until this happened, when some good work from the Oakley winger led to the centre forward calmly slotting home.

Oakley then went on looking to take a well deserved lead and Freeland were quite pleased to hear the half time whistle.

In the second half again Oakley were playing to their strengths and working hard to close any Freeland threat down quickly. It was left to Brad Woodbridge to re-store Freelands lead when he headed home from a corner. After this Freeland still continued to ride their luck as Oakley dominated in most areas of the pitch. It was only a matter of time until Oakley got what they deserved and drew things level with a good finish on seventy minutes.

It was looking as if there would be only one winner, as not content with a point Oakley searched for all three, and it was only down to some excellent saves from Freeland keeper Scott Perkins and some poor finishing that kept Freeland level.

However in the dieing seconds Oakley were dealt a hammer blow when from a long throw they failed to clear and the ball fell to Ben Sadler whos shot took a slight deflection, and found its way into the bottom corner.

There was barley time to take the re-start as the ref blew for full time and Freelands unbeaten run continued. Oakley were in disbelief and deserved at least a point from the game, but Freeland were not worried and were ecstatic with the win, and hurriedly left the pitch as all roads led to the promised land also known as Liverpool.