ROVERS 0 - 0 HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS

Despite an excellent second half performance, Great Wakering Rovers once again failed to score at Burroughs Park and had to settle for a point when they should have claimed all three.

Rovers wretched run at home has seen they fail to find the net since December 17th and winless since 27th September. Nevertheless, Great Wakering’s recent improvement was clearly once again in evidence to the crowd of 114.

In a sterile first half, Heybridge missed several chances. Chief culprit was Luke Callender who spurned three good opportunities, while at the other end Ben Hudson sent a thundering 25-yard effort just over the bar following good build up play from player-boss Dan Trenkel.

Just before the break, Rovers supporters thought their team had taken the lead. Both Nick Skelton and Jay Nash attacked Hudson’s free kick, and although the effort beat Swifts keeper Jason Willis and appeared to cross the line, referee Michael Smith whistled for handball against Skelton.

Heybridge started the second half well. A fantastic saving tackle by Skelton denied Jack West. Then Rovers goalkeeper Louis Godwin-Green was called into action, punching away Danny Barber’s dangerous cross. At the other end Swifts custodian Willis had to deal with cross-shots from Nash and Hudson.

Swifts almost took the lead after seventy-two minutes. The impressive Solomon Ofri cut in from the left flank and sent in a curling eighteen-yard shot, which was brilliantly saved by Godwin-Green.

Rovers then started to take control of the game. Willis saved Hudson’s in-swinging corner and Skelton had an effort cleared off the line when the former Southend United defender seemed certain to score.

As the game moved into the final ten minutes, Julian Okai shot wide with only Willis to beat and then had a seemingly good goal chalked off following some bizarre officiating from the erratic Mr Smith.

Dan Trenkel was next to go close for the home side, shooting just wide following an indirect free kick. Rovers bad luck in front of goal continued when Hudson’s injury time shot hit the angle of post and crossbar before former Canvey Island man Kevin Dobinson cleared the danger.