Felixstowe & Walton United FC

FELIXSTOWE & WALTON UTD 2 - 2 COGGESHALL

 Late equaliser rescues a point for the Seasiders

The Seasiders will wonder how they failed to take three points from this game, twice coming from behind to force a draw, but they will rue the missed chances that cost the team a vital victory in the fight against relegation. Armani Schaar with Felixstowe’s first goal, and an injury time own goal scraping a 2-2 result at the death when the points looked to be heading to Essex.

Charlie Beckwith remained in goal following his debut at Maldon on Saturday; with Jack Spurling unavailable for the next few games due to work commitments. Jamal Wiggins, Dan Davis and Miles Powell returned to the starting eleven, Stuart Ainsley remains suspended and Sam Nunn suffered a reoccurrence of his calf injury during Saturday’s defeat.

The game started at a frenetic pace with both teams looking keen to make the early running, Coggeshall had the first chance of the game when the lively Coley forced his way into the box, but as he looked to round the keeper, Beckwith saved well at his feet. It was a save that had to be timed to perfection to prevent a foul and the inevitable penalty and red card that surely would have followed. Beckwith was again in action soon after when Coley again found space to curl a shot that the on-loan keeper did well to claw away when it seemed destined for the bottom corner. Armani Schaar had Felixstowe’s first opportunity, seizing the ball in midfield and pushing forward before seeing his goal bound shot pushed away for a corner. The best chance of the first half fell to Ollie Canfer, good work on the right by Matthews and Schaar and an excellent cross that Canfer rose highest to meet, his header looked a certain goal but the goalkeeper pulled off a great save to his right to deny the opening goal. Coggeshall should have done better just before half time when a dangerous cross found the head of Brampton who headed just wide and shortly after Ross Wall somehow poked the ball wide of an open goal when it looked easier to score.

Felixstowe came out all guns blazing for the second half, time and again they found themselves in excellent positions after some lovely build-up play, and the crowd were enjoying the football on offer and were willing their team to find a finish to match the impressive build up. Jordan Matthews screwed his shot just wide on 50 minutes and shortly after Armani Schaar again forced his way into the box and saw his shot saved before Canfer was again denied on the follow up, the keeper making another excellent stop. As is often the case when you are near the bottom of league, Coggeshall then scored the opening goal against the run of play, with Ross Wall running onto a long ball and the defenders stopping due to the flag being raised, the referee overruled the offside decision and Wall turned and fired into the bottom corner from 20 yards. Felixstowe continued to push forward and Canfer failed to connect firmly when in a good position and shot over the bar from close range. On 67 minutes the goal Felixstowe deserved finally came, with three forwards bearing down on goal, it was Schaar who was the quickest and his well-struck shot gave the goalkeeper no chance. Seven minutes later and the Seasiders found themselves behind again, Nwachuku seeing his speculative shot catch Beckwith off-guard and the ball inexplicably rolled into the net. This looked to be the sucker punch for Felixstowe but their hard work and good football paid off as the pressure told on Coggeshall in injury time. Adam Hanson caused all sorts of panic in the visitors defence and Pollard poked the ball beyond the keeper to rescue a thoroughly deserved point for the home side.

Speaking after the game, Seasiders boss Stuart Boardley said. “I have no idea how we did not win that game, we played good football, we played the only football, and we had the better chances. Yes we made mistakes for the goals but it seems everything is conspiring against us at the moment but we go into the Romford game confident, we are playing well and the players are relishing playing in such a big game against big name players and what is now a big club in Romford, they have a target on their backs and we go there confident we can play well and win the game.”

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