Bow 2, Sidbury Utd 2

Sidbury continued their league campaign with a tough trip to Bow, Senior Cup holders and unbeaten in all competitions this season.

But manager Jez Schofield had his proudest day of the season so far when Sidbury drew 2-2.

He said: “Sidbury were 2-0 down with 10 men at unbeaten Bow and we stuck our chests out, rolled up our sleeves and showed real character. We have a fantastic team spirit at the club and it showed today with everyone doing their bit, with a neversaydie attitude.”

Sidbury travelled full of confidence as they are also unbeaten this season in the league and currently sit second with a game in hand.

Bow came out flying down the slope and pinned the Gulls down, with keeper Jamie Harvey making to saves in the first two minutes. Bow took the lead in the third minute when a low shot was turned away for corner by Harvey and Bow got it to the near post, for the striker to turn six yards out and fire the ball low towards the back post. Harvey made a super save only for the ball to fall to another Bow player, who made no mistake and slid the ball home.

Bow were soon 2-0 up a from another corner. Manager Schofield feared the worst and five minutes later the game turned from bad to worse when fullback Preece kicked out off the ball and was sent off.

With 10 men, Sidbury were the better side for the rest of the game. Every player battled harder than ever to make up for the extra man Bow had, with Russ Coombes, Mike Benyon, Matt Channing, Sam Seldon and Richard Bacon getting special praise, Coombes and Benyon sharing the Black Horse Man of the Match award.

After sustained pressure, Sidbury won a corner after the great play by the always dangerous front three of the Green brothers and Elstub. Dave Green drilled in the corner and captain Seldon scored with a bullet header. Sidbury continued to press Bow back and there were numerous times when Sidbury may have scored, but Bow could also have killed the game off on the counter if it hadn’t been for heroic tackles from Channing and Bacon. Schofield took off his three top goal scorers this season and Sidbury levelled the game in the 90th min. Sidbury won a free kick just inside their own half. All nine outfield Sidbury players filled the box, leaving keeper Harvey to deliver the ball in the danger zone, with several players and the Bow keeper challenging, ball then dropped to sub Dan Churchill who swivelled and lashed the ball home from six yards to level.

Team Harvey 9, Preece 1, Channing 9, Bacon 9, Coombes 10, Salter 9, Benyon 10, Seldon 9, Dave Green 9, Elstub 9 Danny Green 9 Subs Small 8, Churchill 8, Beacham 7.

Sidbury are home to fourth-placed Wellington this weekend and would welcome all support, 3pm kick off.