MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
OAKWOOD A 3 HARMEN 3
Ric Blank believes Oakwood's performance against high-flying Harmen shows they can mix it with the best.
A penalty 20 minutes from time from top-scorer James Gershfield ensured the visitors came away from an almighty battle against Oakwood with a precious point.
A ding-dong affair saw Harmen forge ahead on seven minutes when the front pairing of Mike Pearson and Gershfield - playing their first game together - cut open the Oakwood defence with a slick one-two for Gershfield to stab home.
Oakwood battled back superbly, with an equaliser coming three minutes later followed by a second goal on 17 minutes.
Harmen drew level just shy of the half hour when Ollie Craig was fouled on the right near the half-way line. Rob Blackman's free-kick was met by Craig who powered a header into the top left-hand corner.
Oakwood made it 3-2 on 58 minutes, but Gershfield held his nerve to clinch a point from the penalty spot.
Brad Wine, Dave Woolman and Josh Rose registered for Oakwood.
Oaks joint-manager Ric Blank told JC Sport: "It was real ding-dong between two committed sides. I'm proud of the performance, but very disappointed we didn't win.
"We had the better chances, defended stoically. At 2-1 and 3-2, I expected us to put the game to bed. Harmen are always dangerous with Pearson and Gershfield up top so it'd be wrong to say we were miles the better team - we weren't it was fairly even. But on chances and performances I thought we edged it.
"We're bitterly disappointed with some of the major decisions that went against us - not least the softest penalty I have ever seen that levelled the scores at 3-3.
"We couldn't get the rub of the green in the final third either as Brad was pulled back twice when clean through for no obvious reason. Still these things happen and in football you make your own luck.
"In reality we should have been out of sight at half time yet two moments of sloppiness cost as at the back and we came in at 2-2.
"Harmen recognised the chaos were causing up front and moved Ollie Craig to centre half. But no-one could stop Brad in this form. He was sensational. His goal was tremendous and owed everything to a wonderful first time pass from Josh Rose.
"We conceded a penalty two minutes later when Gershfield went down in the box. It was a big call but there you go. Such is life.
"I'm proud of the effort and commitment of the boys and hope we can use that performance as a springboard for better things."
Harmen joint-manager Oli Leslie told JC Sport: "Credit to Oakwood who in my opinion gave us our toughest test of the season so far.
"They are well organised, big and physical and with their pace in attack I am sure that they will test all of top sides in our league.
"On the other hand, we know that we are always going to score goals, but the defensive performance in the first half was way below par and just not good enough for a team that has ambitions of winning a trophy this season.
"I believe in this very talented group of players and I am confident that the mistakes made this week will only kick us on to an improved performance next weekend away at Woodford."
