Duchy 2, SOHC 2 SOHC men’s 1st XI travelled to Redruth to take on Duchy looking to bounce back after a brace of narrow defeats in their previous two outings.

On the journey to Cornwall the weather was bad and there were genuine fears that the game might not take place.

Fortunately, the weather gods did their bit and the contest began on time.

The home team started the brighter moving the ball around the pitch at pace with SOHC struggling to come to terms with the high tempo.

The opening goal was scored in favour of the hosts when a slick attack left the Duchy striker one-on-one with SOHC goalkeeper Simon Baker who was helpless to stop a powerfully struck shot from hitting the back board.

Despite the early setback SOHC began to find their feet in the game and, midway through the first half almost levelled when Matt Ogborne dribbled his way into the D and fired the ball across the goal. A Duchy defender was able to get the slightest of touches to deny Jim Harris from what would have been an easy tap in.

SOHC went close again when the home keeper denied Mickey Bell’s drag flick from going into the bottom corner of his net.

The away team felt they were denied a penalty flick when Bell seemed to have been taken out by home custodian after being put clean through from a penetrating run from full back Ben Foley.

As the half wore on SOHC began to dominate possession and this was a key factor when they levelled with Bell scoring from a trademark low drag flick. The second half saw SOHC continue to dominate the possession and indeed look the most likely to score.

Matt Ogborne created another chance, this time for himself, only to mishit his shot from the top of the D. The majority of the second half saw both teams unable to create goal scoring opportunities with neither goalkeeper being called into action.

With the clock ticking down and both teams giving the impression they had settled for a draw an SOHC defensive error gifted the home side what looked all the way the match wining score!

SOHC had other ideas though and, from the restart kept hold of possession and worked the ball from defence to attack. Bell took the ball on, running at the home defence and he spread the play wide to the right where Harris was sprinting in an overlapping run. As Harris drove into the D the Duchy keeper advanced and Harris neatly passed the ball back to Bell who applied another accomplished finish.

Honours ending even was a fair outcome as both sides put plenty into an entertaining contest.

Tomorrow (Saturday) SOHC are in action at Sidmouth where they take on Torbay.