EARLSWOOD Town secured an impressive point in a 1-1 draw with Kenilworth Sporting although a new-look Earls side saw their winless run extended to seven matches.
Louis Bridges put the home side in front only for Harry Wilson to draw Sporting level at the Pavilions as Earlswood showed signs of improvement having been thrashed 5-0 by the same opponents in the Les James Challenge Cup only three weeks ago.
The result means the Earls sit eighth in the Midland Football League Division Two table.
Earlswood included new signings George Curry and Owen Williams in their starting lineup whilst fellow new recruit Chris Hayden was named on the bench and fit again captain Bridges returned after two games out.
And the Earls made the perfect start when Bridges scored on 11 minutes as he slid the ball past Kneilworth goalkeeper Finn Osborn from Curry’s cross.
However, Sporting equalised on 43 minutes when Wilson finished from six-yards out after Ali Lewis tipped John Agbo’s initial effort from distance onto the post.
The Earls were denied on several occasions by Osborn in the second period as he twice made crucial saves to prevent Bridges from adding to his tally.
And that included a sensational save to tip Bridges’ glanced header over the bar in the final 10 minutes from Tom Millard’s cross.
At the other end, Lewis was also in fine form when called upon to ensure the Earls came away with a deserved point.
The club’s new signings all made their debut in the draw with midfielder Curry boasting a wealth of experience with the likes of Southam United, Bromsgrove Sporting, Heather St Johns, Highgate United, Racing Club Warwick, Alcester Town and Knowle as well as a spell in New Zealand with Waitemata.
Forward Williams joins from Silhill under-21’s having previously played for the same age groups at Romulus and Lichfield City.
And midfielder Hayden was recently registered with Worcester Raiders having turned out for Racing Club Warwick, Littleton, Coventry Plumbing, Heather St Johns and AFC Coventry Rangers.
The trio’s arrival follows the re-signing of versatile wideman Shane Doyle who returned to action for The Earls during the 3-1 defeat at Coventry Alvis. Doyle made 21 appearances, scoring twice, for the club last season.
Meanwhile, former club captain Ryan Froggatt has left The Earls to seek a fresh challenge. The defender made 54 appearances and scored four times having arrived at The Pavilions in 2019.
Earlswood are next in action at home to Cadbury Athletic on Saturday, February 25 with kick-off at 3pm at The Pavilions.
