Lead overturned at Oakley

Having lost a tight cup game in midweek at Harwich, the Dragons were back in league action just down the road at Little Oakley. Having suffered a bad injury in midweek, Tom Lakin was missing but in attendance to support his team mates. Connor Smith, Sam Holden and Matt Tapley were back in the side. Peter Maina started through the middle as the club's only fit forward.

Wivenhoe started well, moving the ball quickly and creating a chance for Jack Mead within the area whose shot was saved by the Oakley keeper but only as far as Dean Merrett but his follow up header was easily held by the keeper.

The rest of the fairly even half saw the sides exchange headed chances, Oakley over from a corner and then Dean Merrett wide for Wivenhoe from a freekick. The half did finish with one big chance for Little Oakley who broke through on the Wivenhoe goal but saw Ben Gallifant make a good save to deny the attacker.

Little Oakley had the first chance of the half, heading wide from a corner. Wivenhoe then created a very good chance as CJ Cabulo's pace got him in on the left allowing a pull back to Jack Mead who fired over. Wivenhoe took the lead on 65 minutes, a ball forward was headed on by Dean Merrett into the path of Matt Tapley, the midfielder was un marked on the edge of the area and table to carry the ball forward a few touches before slotting the ball into the back of the net via the inside of the post.

The lead held for ten minutes, a ball down the left found space between the Wivenhoe full back and central defence and allowed the Acorns attacker in behind the Wivenhoe defence to beat Ben Gallifant to the ball and shoot into an empty net. a minute later the home side were leading, another ball down the left produced a chance to square and create a simple tap in to the Wivenhoe net.

Wivenhoe were almost back on level terms when Ross James powered down the left and whipped a ball across the six-yard box on to the head of Merrett, the ball flew past the post with some of the Wivenhoe supporters behind the goal already celebrating.

In Stoppage time, Little Oakley made it 3 -1, getting in on their left again and finishing off the move with a shot which gave Gallifant no chance as it went in off the post.

A closely contested game, but one that Little Oakley won with a step up in performance in the last quarter of the game.