Bradley Bennett scored deep into injury time as Great Wakering Rovers drew away to playoff contenders Saffron Walden Town.

After a goalless first half, Solomon Ofori put the hosts ahead with over twenty minutes to go before Bradley Bennett scored for rovers in the eighth minute of injury time to stay above the hosts in fourth position of the Essex Senior League.

This would be Great Wakering Rovers first game of 2025 as the host pitch managed to survive the recent winter weather since their last game on the 28th December.

Rovers were boosted with the return of centre back Harrison Topliss who had recovered from a broken leg and Bradleigh Rowland had recovered from his injury for a place on the bench.

Saffron Walden Town were on a six game unbeaten run and recently earned their place in the last four of the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy.

Rovers haven’t won at Catons Lane in three games.

KICKOFF:

The first half would be an exciting end-to-end encounter as the match had lived up to it’s expectations. However, neither side got the exact connection with their final shot or pass.

Rovers had the first effort after ten minutes when Ben Search saw his curling effort just curled wide of the right post. Five minutes later, Ben was played in again after good build up play down the left reached Callum Boylan on the left wing laid the ball off into Ben who saw his curling effort just blaze over the bar.

Rovers did have a few more chances in the first half from Callum Boylan and Ben Search but they were dealt with comfortably by James Askew in the host’s goal.

The hosts then had a great chance of their own halfway through the second half when Sam Deering unleashed an long range effort from outside the box but his effort rattled the cross bar and the ball was cleared away by Oliver Jenkins.

Rovers had a great chance when Callum Boylan was played through by Ben Search and ran through on goal before slotting the ball in but the linesman had his flag up. Very close call!

With half an hour gone, rovers had a great chance to break the deadlock when Bradley Bennett raced on down the right by a through ball from Raheem Gray and managed to beat his defender before crossing the ball across the box only to be cleared by a last ditch tackle from Micheal Turner.

Saffron Walden Town almost went down the other end and broke the deadlock straight after. A corner from Sam Deering was met by Solomon Ofori but his header hit the bar.

Just before half time, Saffron Walden Town’s defender Ricky Modeste needed to leave the field following a injury and Tambeson Eyon came in his place.

Callum Boylan needed treatment after a poor challenge from substitute Tambeson Eyong. The Saffron Walden player was cautioned but rovers skipper Ben Search was also sent to the sin bin following a disagreement with the referee. Rovers would start the second half with ten men.

HALFTIME: Saffron Walden Town 0-0 Rovers

After ten minutes of play, Ben Search returned to the field after his time in the sin bin.

With an hour gone, Jamie Hursit was cautioned after he brought down Callum Boylan on the edge of the box and was cautioned. However, Rovers were once again down to ten men when Jack Dickinson was sent to the sin bin for dissent. The resulting free kick from Ben Search didn’t cause much trouble for the hosts as the ball was easily cleared.

Halfway through the second half, the host’s made the breakthrough.

Eyong won the ball off Max Gnandi just outside their area and played the ball up across the pitch on a counter attack. Solomon Ofori was played in after beating the offside trap and slotted the ball in past George Martin.

Just after the opening goal, rovers made a double substitution to save what could be left of the game with Bradleigh Rowland and Max Gnandi entering the field.

The goal would then somewhat make the rovers play the past they’ve done all game in the last twenty minutes as it was all rovers from then on.

With time ticking down, the players of Saffron Walden Town needed treatment to carry on but much to their disappointment the referee added the time on.

Deep into added time, rovers thought they had levelled the game after a scramble in the box found Callum Boylan who just needed to head the ball over the line but Tome Skelton somehow made an superb last ditch tackle to clear the ball off the line and caught Callum in the process.

With the resulting corner, rovers scored in dramatic fashion.

On the eight minute of added time, the hard work paid off and rovers equalised. A corner by Alfie Whiteaker on the left was cleared to the edge of the box to James White who saw his effort deflected into the box before a game of pinball between Bradley Bennett and James Askew before Bennett blasted the ball into the roof of the net from three yards out with the last kick of the game.

FULLTIME: Saffron Walden Town 1-1 Rovers

A great result that was grinded out, Great Wakering Rovers will now remain fourth in the league just above Saffron Walden Town in fifth. They will now turn their attention to a big week as they take on Benfleet in the quarterfinals of the Errington Challenge Cup on Tuesday ans then welcome Woodford Town on Saturday 25th January who are currently second in the Essex Senior League.

Great turnout from the supporters with over thirty in the attendance of 300 who made the long journey up, your support is really appreciated. Up the Rovers!