Great Wakering Rovers shared the points as they drew 1-1 with Harwich & Parkeston on Saturday afternoon.

After a goalless first half, Louie Bloom gave the visitors an early second half lead before super sub Jack Mitchell levelled the tie midway through the second half.

It was a better performance and a much needed response from last weekend that saw the Rover pick up a point for the start of September. Players are starting to come back from injuries and the team will be frustrated they didn’t come away with more than they did.

Kickoff:

The first half was end to end and an exciting game to watch. Both sides had chances but lacked end product.

On 9 minutes, Rovers won a throw in on the left and Harrison Chatting’s long throw into the box was flicked on and Harry Talbot’s audacious overhead kick just went wide of the right post.

After half an hour, Rovers had a good chance when a good move down the right unleashed Reece Placid to run through and feed in Harry Talbot down the byline. He found Ezra Agyiri in the box but his point blank effort was well blocked by a defender.

Just before the break, Joe Wood was cautioned for the visitors when he went in late on Keanu Hill. After lengthy treatment, the defender was good to play on.

Both teams were playing good football but spurned their chances as they went into the break goalless.

Halftime: Rovers 0-0 Harwich & Parkeston

The second half however started poorly for the Rovers as poor decision making was punished and five minutes into the second half, the visitors took the lead.

A cross into the box from the right was only cleared to Louie Bloom on the edge of the box and the forward took one touch out of his feet before rifling a low hard shot into the bottom left corner.

Rovers weren’t fazed however and Marcus Bowers quick thinking chanced the game by making early substitutions.

The changes would prove effective as midway through the second half, Rovers drew the game level on 65 minutes.

A ball over the top by George Marsh was flicked on by Reece Conway and Tina Odufaye misplaced a pass across end his box and Jack Mitchell pounced, firing in from close range.

Rovers had their tails up and went into the search of the winner but lacked end product.

The visitors however were dangerous on the counter attack and went mightily close on 76 minutes.

A good move down the right sent a winger running down the line and found Louie Bloom at the back post unmarked. Somehow however his point blank effort was outstanding saved by the outstretched leg of George Marsh who adjusted himself excellently to keep the ball out.

With ten minutes left, Rpvers won a free kick on the edge of the box when Reece Conway was tripped. Shaun Gittleson stepped up and his curling effort clipped the cross bar.

With the game entering stoppage time, the visitors earned a throw in on the left and assistant coach Jake Halsey made a time wasting tactic by playing a second ball onto the pitch and the coach was sent off by the referee.

Rovers had chances late on but once again lacked the end product and will be frustrated with the chances they had.

Fulltime: Rovers 1-1 Harwich & Parkeston

A good game of football to watch and Rovers will be kicking themselves with the chances they had. It’s a step in the right direction and a positive performance compared to last week and they remain 17th in the table.

It’s now a big week to prepare now as they will play two games in the space of four days with a visit to West Essex on Tuesday before hosting Biggleswade United on Saturday in the FA Vase.