Greens Pegged Back In Stoppage Time

The Greens had seemingly done enough to take all three points in Nottinghamshire but were undone by Jamie Williamson’s 93rd minute leveller for the hosts – one that the Highwaymen realistically deserved on the balance of play. It ensured that Akeel Francis’ opener would not be enough to secure the Greens a second consecutive United Counties League Premier Division North victory on the spin and saw the visitors record just a second league draw of the entire campaign in the process.

Player/Managers Tom Ward and Nathan Arnold made just two changes from the Greens 1-0 victory at Deeping Rangers last weekend, both of which saw new signings make their first starts for the away side. In came former Derby County man Eli Christie in the heart of defence while up-front, former Deeping top-scorer Tom Waumsley also made his Greens bow – the now departed Gregg Smith dropping out alongside duel-registered Ryan Rushen who returned to action for his parent side Grantham Town. Hosts Newark & Sherwood United meanwhile made a huge six changes from the side that edged out Hucknall Town 2-1 last weekend. Benjamin Henderson, Bradley Gothard, Louis Jarvis, Ryley Thompson, Liam Mays and Kian Sketchley all dropped out the starting eleven with the former four all taking places on the bench. In their places were Harley Bates, Tom Jones, Ryan Ebanks, Sam King, Toby White and Kameron Campbell.

The Greens began the contest the livelier of the two sides and Ross Woolley was the first keeper called into action, getting down to collect Ryan Lennon’s effort after he’d been expertly found by Akeel Francis. Lennon was the man involved again a few moments later, latching onto Tristan Drummond’s through-ball but a fine covering tackle from Toby White prevented Lennon from getting his shot away.

The hosts began to grow into the contest though and Liam Flitton was forced into action to beat away Liam Moran’s powerful effort just after the quarter of an hour. Flitton then got down well five minutes later to block Tom Jones’ shot after he’d broken free before Jamie Williamson powered over after a kind bounce in the box. Williamson was the man to head over again a few moments later as the hosts turned the screw, Flitton then required to collect Luke White’s effort after he’d cut inside Tristan Drummond.

It was to be the Greens though who found the opener very much against the run of play when Akeel Francis headed home Tristan Drummond’s corner 10 minutes out from the break. That goal did not really change the flow of the contest though and Flitton was called into action almost immediately after the opener, tipping over Liam Moran’s venomous drive before the lively Williamson was again the man to head just over the bar from another Luke White delivery.

The Highwaymen began the second half with intent and Kameron Campbell crashed the crossbar with header from Luke White’s freekick early on. In what was to become a significantly quieter second period though, chances became few and far between, Max Ward heading wide for the visitors the only real effort of note for the Greens inside the first 15 minutes.

Kameron Campbell continued to cause the Greens problems and he headed high and wide for the hosts with 10 minutes remaining but with time ticking away the Greens seemed to have done enough to secure a second 1-0 victory in succession. Heartbreak was to follow though when, in stoppage time, Jamie Williamson made the best of a defensive mix up, following in Luke White’s freekick to round Liam Flitton and stab home an equaliser in the 93rd minute as the Greens were condemned to just a second league draw of the entire campaign.

The Greens will now look towards a return to action at The MKM Ground next Saturday afternoon when AFC Mansfield are the visitors in United Counties League Premier Division North action. Kick-off at Eslaforde Park is scheduled for 3PM.

Words: Oliver Atkin