Game for Chloe Ends in Draw After Ollerton Let Lead Slip

Ollerton were unfortunate to slip to a 2-2 draw in a game in which they clearly looked to be the better team, but couldn’t kill off the game, as Swallownest produced a frustrating comeback.
All gate receipts from the game went to The Chloe Askew Fund, a cause close to the hearts of our manager and secretary, Dave and Jo Winter. Chloe is a young girl who is fighting a rare and aggressive type of cancer and the fund is set up to help get her and her family to America for the treatment she needs. At half time, General Manager Adge Owen presented Jo with £200 (pictured).
Ollerton started off the game in a typically high tempo and were able to break the deadlock early on through a moment of brilliance from their top scorer Gav King. The ball was flicked in behind the Swallownest defence by Kyle Ludlow towards King who then proceeded to take the ball past four Swallownest defenders, before rounding Darren Johnson and easily converting into the open net.
By the 17th minute Ollerton were able to double their advantage through Lewis Bingham and looked to be threatening to run away with the game early on. A well worked Ollerton move ended with King playing the ball to the back post towards Bingham, who maintained his composure as he was also able to round Johnson before slotting it home from only a few yards out.
While Ollerton did race into an early 2-0 lead, it must be noted that it still wasn’t a completely dominant performance early on. Ollerton created the more significant chances but Swallownest still looked to be in the game and almost found a route back into the game but Alex Bill’s close range effort was ruled out for offside.
Swallownest continued to apply pressure late on in the half and were able to half the two goal deficit through Bradley Davies. Adam Doughtery played the ball in behind to Davies who saw his initial effort well saved by Brooks but the ball was parried straight back to Davies who made no mistake with his second attempt. Swallownest went on to look like the more dangerous team and were on the front foot for the remainder of the first half but were unable to draw level.
Ollerton looked to be able to regain some stability in the second half after a poor end to the first half and arguably should’ve reclaimed their two goal advantage through Bingham. Ludlow was able to play a ball through to King who flicked the ball towards Bingham but when presented with the one on one opportunity Bingham was unable to beat Johnson as his attempted chip didn’t quite have enough height to beat Johnson.
Ollerton continued to trouble the Swallownest defence and arguably should’ve been playing against ten men after Daniel Mullooley’s rash challenge which appeared to deny Bingham a clear goal scoring opportunity.
Ollerton looked to be the most likely team to score the next goal but couldn’t quite put the game out of reach. Tom Moody’s audacious overhead kick sailed just wide of the post and King’s close range effort was well saved by Johnson.
Ollerton clearly had the chances to kill off the game but were eventually made to pay for not being clinical enough in front of goal as Alex Bill blasted his effort from the edge of the box into the top left corner, leaving Ryan Brooks with little chance of keeping the ball out.
Ollerton had a good chance to rescue the three points right at the death from Bingham’s corner but Brandon Shaw wasn’t able to make a solid enough connection with the ball and Ollerton were forced to settle for the solitary point.
Despite being disappointed with a point, this fixture is the first of a festive double header and Ollerton will know that they undoubtedly have the ability to beat Swallownest in the return fixture next Saturday.