STALE MATE AT THE ASPEN WAITE ARENA

On Saturday afternoon Great Wakering Rovers played out there first goalless game of the season when they were held by high flying Heybridge Swifts.
The first forty five minutes were a tight affair, with possession toing and froing between the two sides but neither team could manage a decent chance on goal, Rovers probably the happiest to go into the break goalless.

Half time Heybridge Swifts 0 Great Wakering Rovers 0

Rovers started the second half brightly and should have taken the lead when striker Shomari Barnwell found himself five yards out with only the keeper to beat however he couldn’t quite get the shot away and Heybridge cleared the ball up field.
The second forty five saw more chances than the first half with Heybridge hitting the bar, but the Rovers defence were solid and defended gallantly every time Heybridge attacked.

Manager Stephen Butterworth could see that the game was winnable and made attacking substitutions bringing on Matthew Rush and Tony Martin to freshen up the forward line and it nearly paid dividends when in the last few minutes Rush found himself with space in the box but his well hit strike was tipped on to the cross bar by Heybridge stopper Chris Haigh.
In the end both teams settled for a point a piece and these could be imperative come the end of the season at both ends of the table.

By Neil Hope