Norreys had a tough league fixture against second place Lakeside up at Brimpton.
The first few minutes were fairly even in terms of possession although most of the play was in the Norreys half but the Norreys defence was holding out well early on and a good line across the back four was catching the Lakeside strikers offside early on.
Norreys were taking advantage of playing on the break and were finding space down both flanks although struggling to make the space to get an effort on goal. Ali had a good chance to score when played in on the right hand side of the box but was unable to finish as he was forced wide by the on rushing keeper.
Ali came close a few minutes later when he saw an effort come off the post and away from danger.
Karl also came close whe he too saw his effort come off the post a few minutes later - it seemed as if it was going to be one of those games!
After some good play in the Norreys midfield Neil was brought down with most players expecting a whistle from the referee however nothing came and Andy took full advantage of the pause in play by striking the ball from long range past the Lakeside keeper for a 1-0 Norreys lead on 41 minutes.
Norreys were able to hold onto their lead for the remainder of the first half.
The second half saw Lakeside looking for the equaliser and were enjoying a lot of early possession but the Norreys defence were standing strong. Lakeside were beginning to get frustrated with each other and began to argue amongst themselves which allowed Norreys to get on top in the game again.
The game was getting very competitive all over the pitch especially in midfield which was compounded on 57 minutes when the a Lakeside midfielder was late into a tackle on Neil which led to a mele of players coming together on the pitch including with Lakeside No.8 starting on Brad which saw a red for the Lakeside player and a yellow for Brad.
Norreys were now looking to capitalise on their man advantage however on 61 minutes Lakeside were awared a very dubious penalty after a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge by Brad on the Lakeside No.7 who seemed to go down all to easy and despite Norreys protests the penalty stood. The penalty was blasted straight down the middle past Stoney who had moved to his right hand side for 1-1.
The next few minutes saw Lakeside looking for a winner however Norreys keeping things tidy at the back and once they had overcome the Lakeside lift were beginning to make their own chances with Karl coming close but firing just wide after being played in by Neil.
On 72 minutes however a throw in from Clarkey found its way through to Ali who took the ball across the edge of the box past a few of the Lakeside defence before striking the ball into the right hand side of the goal for a much deserved 2-1 lead.
Norreys were looking good with the ball and the confidence was their to be seen. The last 10 minutes saw Norreys trying to add a third to seal the game but were unable to find a way past the Lakeside defence. At the back Norreys were limiting Lakeside to long range efforts although came close from a free kick just outside the box.
It looked as if Norreys were going to hang on to a well deserved 3 points until in the 92 minute a cross from the Lakeside right was mis-hit only to see it drift over Stoney and find it's way into the far side of the net for a deflating equaliser.
Game finished 2-2.
Managers man of the match was Neil Jones
