Terling Villa came away with a point from their opening game of the 2013/14 season after a battling draw with last seasons league and cup winners, Valley Green in warm conditions at Fairstead Road.
Terling started the game the stronger having the lions share of posession and winning the majority of 50/50 balls in the middle of the park. The game was mainly played in the central areas and after a strong couple of minutes of attacking play, their early pressure eventually told when striker Tristan Woolfenden was fed the ball around 30 yards from goal, and after a slightly fortuitous ricochet the ball fell kindly for him to slot past the on rushing goalkeeper into the right hand side of the goal to gift an early 1-0 lead.
Terling continued to dominate and almost doubled their lead when Woolfenden managed to elevate like a salmon at the back post to nod a Scott Collins corner over the crossbar, when in reality he really should have done better.
Valley Green did have the ball in the net through striker Hughes on 35 mins, however the offside flag rightly dampended any celebrations and the scoreline remained 1-0.
Manager Woolfenden asked for more of the same battle in the second half, and after the introduction of fresh legs in Cridland and Alliston, Terling had to withstand a good spell of pressure from the opposition, however the rock solid centre back partnership of "pocket" Douglas and Colley stood firm.
Alliston was looking sharp and on 65 minutes he took it round 2 if not 3 defenders before unleashing a rasping left footed effort destined for the top corner, only to see the post deny him a fine solo goal. He had the ball in the net 3 minutes later, going clean through on goal, rounding the goalkeeper, and slotting it home, before being flagged for offside, a decision that replays showed to be the wrong one.
Unfortunately on 79 mins, Terling were harshly punished for not managing to extend their lead when left winger Charlie Bell scored a fine individual goal, cutting in from the left hand side before curling the ball into the top right hand corner.
This did not take the wind from Villas sails however and they had further chances to win the game before the final whistle.
A pleasing opening day display that gives much hope for the season ahead, Villa fans left Fairstead Road disappointed at a lack of 3 points, however with a sense of optimism going into Sundays game with rivals Witham Galacticos.
Manager Woolfenden has this to say "it feels like a defeat to have victory snatched from us so late on, but all in all I have to be delighted with the way in which we played today. I thought out entire back four were solid for 90 mins, and but for a fine solo goal we would have had ourselves a clean sheet today." He added "I thought Sam Colley and Scott Collins were in superb form today. Arguably joint man of the match for us, but the most pleasing aspect of the game was the performance of our subs when they cam on. At the end of the day there are 11 shirts up for grabs and I thought our substitutes did really well and staked a claim for a starting place next Sunday. Ive got a real selection headache on my hands".
When asked about an incident that took place after the game involving winger Thomas Creane and a hammer, Woolfenden declined to comment, but midfield maestro Chris Collins shed further light on the event "there I am pulling my tape off and scoffing a bag of wine gums, and before I know it this hammer has come flying across the room from Creano and missed my head by about half an inch! Jesus knows how it missed my head, I mean it is pretty big....a bit like my waist!!"
Keeper Gavin Woolfenden, never shy of a word or two, summarised the game as follows "we were pretty good I have to say. I had no chance with the goal, I had all my angles covered but when a guy pops the ball in the top bins what am I meant to do! It wasnt like he was on the byline or anything and only had a gap the size of a postage stamp to aim for".
Villa head to Witham Galacticos on Sunday 8th for an early season showdown that is sure to be another tight encounter.
