Honours even in Local Derby

There was a good atmosphere for this eagerly awaited match with a crowd of over 200 attending. Little Oakley got off to a great start by taking the lead after only 2 minutes when Steve Polley netted with an excellent 20 yard shot after the Harwich defence had failed to clear their lines properly. The visitors remained on top until the 20th minute when Luis Reynolds crossed the ball and in a scramble a Ben Elliott assist enabled Matt Geen to equalise. Although Little Oakley were ahead on scoring chances the scores remained level at half time.
After the break Harwich attacked and Michael Hammond had a shot cleared off the goal line by Jamie Dobkin. Substitue Sam Eldridge was through and almost scored with his first kick but goalkeeper Sam Felgate came out to make a smart save. Harwich took the lead in the 73rd minute when Elliott was brought down and although keeper Glen Morrison got a hand to the ball, Geen's penatly kick proved too powerful for him. Two minutes later Harwich looked to be in a winning position when Geen completed his hat trick by hammering the ball into the net from the edge of the penalty area. Little Oakley's revival started in the 80th minute when Michael Palmer reduced the arrears and Harwich began to wobble. With Geen having gone off injured, Harwich attack faded and in the 84th minute Jamie Beecham equalised for Little Oakley. From a winning position Harwich were now hanging on for a point which thanks to a super save from Felgate and an excellent block from Richard Traynor the managed to keep.