Kelvedon Hatch welcomed Harold Wood Athletic to School Road for this important top of the table clash on a calm Tuesday evening.

The Hatch were soon in action when James Burt outpaced Wood’s left back but his cross in was poor. Hatch then had 2 corners but these were easily d cleared by Wood’s defence. It was soon clear that this game was going to be settled by a single goal as both midfields began the snuff each other out. On 20 mins a Nick Pegg free kick was flicked over the bar by Chris Neville. On 23 mins Hatch lost the ball in midfield and Wood broke clear that ended with their forward beating the Hatch keeper, Danny Fenn, at his near post with a clinical finish, 0-1. Fenn was in action minutes later when he plucked the ball out of the air after a far post cross from the left. On 26 mins Mitchell Stuart-Evans replaced Garry Smith. On 31 mins Dan Demetriou beat Wood’s left back and was in on goal but his shot was somehow cleared. On 37 mins a Pegg free kick from the left found the six yard box but no Hatch player made the space. On 40 mins a Stuart-Evans pass found Demetriou who turned his defender but his weak shot was easily saved by their keeper. No further goalmouth action and 0-1 at the half time whistle.

The second half started with both sides looking to go forward. On 50 mins Michael Palmieri strolled out of defence in plenty of space and passed out wide to Pegg who cross was too long for anyone to get to the ball. On 52 mins Burt found space but he shot wide. On 57 mins good work down the right by Darren Brown whose cross into the box was met by Palmieri’s low diving header that beat their keeper to score the equaliser, 1-1. On 60 mins Burt was put clear down the right and his shot brought out an excellent save by their keeper to deny Burt a goal. On 62 mins Fenn made a good save diving at the feet on their forward. On 65 mins Demetriou had a chance to chip their keeper but it ended in their keepers arms. On 67 mins Wood found space down the right and a cross into the six yard box was thankfully put over the Hatch bar by their sub, who had just come on, when it looked a certain goal would be scored. On 72 mins Pegg had his free kick into the danger area well saved by their keeper. On 77 mins Wood’s forward had a long range shot go well over the bar. On 80 mins Andy Tomlinson’s free kick was headed clear and no Hatch player was there to challenge for the ball. On 83 mins Jon Green replaced Burt. In added time Demetriou sliced his shot over the bar after making space for himself, 1-1 the final score.

The largest home crowd (105) of the season had seen the Hatch battle to come from a goal down to equalise and get a valuable point in their quest for the league title this season.

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