Great Wakering Rovers snatched a point on Wednesday night as they came from behind to draw away to Ilford.

Jack Mitchell put the Rovers in front from a tight angle in the first half before a brace from Joel Appiah put the hosts in front at the break.

Rovers then drugged deep into the second half and skipper Reece Conway netted a long range late equaliser as they claimed their first point on the road for the season.

It was a much needed performance since the start of the season against a very good Ilford side who are chasing the playoff positions.

Kickoff:

It was an exciting half to kick the game off and both teams looked threatening going forward.

In 14 minutes, the hosts had the first big chance of the game on a counter attack. Olusesan Ayodele was slipped through down the middle and ran on through. However, George Marsh came out bravely and closed down the forward’s shot well.

Two minutes later, Rovers had their first big chance of the game and made it count as they broke the deadlock.

Rovers were awarded a throw in on the left and Reece Conway launched the ball into the box. Thomas Barton managed to flick the ball to the back post and Jack Mitchell snuck at the back and finished the ball into from a tight angle to gift the Rovers the lead.

Ilford were looking dangerous however and had many chances.

Olusesan Ayodele was again the main threat as he was played in out wide and charged into the box, but Marsh was once again quick off his line to block the shot away.

Minutes later, a cross into the box wasn’t cleared and Shaike Kamara lashed in from close range but the shot was straight down the throat of Marsh.

The hosts would continue to cause trouble for the visitors and it wasn’t long as they levelled the game.

On 37 minutes, the hosts went on a counter attack down the right and a cross was headed back into the box which Rovers failed to deal with and Joel Appiah lashed his shot into the bottom left to equalise for his team.

The hosts were now fired up and were making life difficult for the Rovers and in 41 minutes they were in front.

Aseel Albrek ran down the right of the entire pitch unchallenged and found Joel Appiah in the box. The forward’s first attempt was blocked on the line but he fired his second attempt into the roof of the net to put his side in front.

The action wasn’t done there though as Rovers looked to respond.

With two minutes to go to the interval, Finley Ledger combined with Brian Songolo on a counter attack before Songolo slipped in Ledger to run on through. Before the forward could get his shot off, he was Borough down on the edge of the box and the Rovers were awarded a free kick.

Harry Talbot stepped up and his curling effort was well saved by Ben Szubski and a defender cleared the rebound for a corner.

Reece Placid whipped in a in-swinging corner and Kevin Songolo jumped highest to head the ball off the outside of the back post.

Halftime: Ilford 2-1 Rovers

The second half started much better and Rovers were slowly growing back into the game.

On 54 minutes, Rovers had a good move by Harry Talbot halted and before they could break on the counter, Reece Placid hauled down an attack who was cautioned for the offence.

Five minutes later, Rovers had plenty of chances.

Finley Ledger tore down the right and slipped in Harry Talbot but he blazed his shot over the bar before Reece Placid went on a solo run and just curled his effort wide of the right post.

With fifteen minutes left to play, Marcus Bowers freshened things up with substitutions and the changes would prove pivotal.

With less than ten minutes to go, Jaan Stanley gained possession on the edge of the area and layed the ball into the feet of Reece Conway. The Rovers skipper took one touch out of his feet before rifling a spectacular twenty yard shot that buried into the bottom left corner to equalise for the Rovers.

Rovers were beginning to enjoy a late spell and had many chances to go in front.

A deflected cross into the box by Harry Talbot found Brian Songolo at the back post but he scuffed his shot wide of the left post.

Minutes later, Harry Talbot was causing problems again when he was played out wide and tricked his way into midfield. He found the run of Finley Ledger and teed him up but Ledger sadly blazed his shot over.

It was soon becoming end-to-end football as both teams were beginning to tire and lacked end product.

Deep into stoppage time, the hosts went very close to bagging the winner when a cross from the left was flicked on by Greg Akpele who saw his header come off the outside of the right post.

Fulltime: Ilford 2-2 Rovers

A well earned point on the road for the Rovers and a much improved performance. They now take a break from league action as they travel next Wednesday to Hackney Wick in the Essex Senior Cup.