EARLSWOOD earned a share of the spoils at Aston on Tuesday night following a scrappy 1-1 draw in the Midland League Division Two.
Both defences dominated throughout on what was a cold evening in Aston and it was clear from early in the game that goals would be hard earned.
Keith Draper and Gareth Davies pushed forward whenever they had the opportunity but were usually thwarted by a resolute Aston defence in the opening period.
The hosts Aston were happy to bypass the midfield and play through Earlswood’s defence to their two frontrunners who were very quick and hard to contain.
Artur Serzysco and Tom Weaver managed to keep things under control and recently signed goalkeeper Will Stannage was always quick of his line when required.
But the visitors managed to get their noses in front three minutes before half-time when the hosts failed to clear a ball in the penalty area and paid the price as an Aston striker slotted the ball wide into the Earlswood net to put his team one up at the break.
The visitors came out strongly in the second half and Earl’s were on the backfoot for 20 minutes but held out strongly without conceding.
With 20 minutes remaining the hosts made three quick substitutions, bringing on Danny Bostock, Cordell White and Jordan Walters, with the latter duo making their first appearance in an Earlswood shirt.
The fresh legs gave Earlswood an initiative again and the game progressed with both sides pushing forward.
And in the last few minutes of the game the hosts had three chances, the first two both being squandered but the all important third, four minutes into added on time, saw Bradley Hall lob the oncoming goalkeeper to earn his side a point.
Earlswood remain seventh in the table ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Northfield Town.
