A journey deep into East London saw Hoddesdon earn a point from a draw with Barkingside which they nearly lost in the 88th minute but fortunately the penalty hit the post and rebounded into play.

Hoddesdon actually just about deserved the points from this game, but just couldn’t clinch the deciding goal and the three points, so credit must be given to the hosts.

The opening exchanges saw Barkingside try a speculative effort from distance, but Nugent was equal to it and saved down low to his left. Ten minutes in and Hoddesdon hit the crossbar, all be it from a Barkingside defender attempting a headed clearance from a corner, the ball looping to the back post and bouncing off the bar.

Barkingside were dealt a blow on 15 minutes, losing their influential captain Harry baker to injury, being replaced by Jayden Tshimanga.

On 22 minutes, Nugent was called into action again, mopping up from a Barkingside corner. Despite this, the Lilywhites were enjoying the lions share of possession, a period that saw Barkingside's Thompson and Nathaniel go into the referees book for heavy challenges.

Just before half time, Hoddesdon had good opportunities to open the scoring, Bolton heading over the bar when he could and should have scored, followed by Ben Clarke shooting over the bar after a Barkingside muddle in defence. Hoddesdon really had dominated the opening 45 minutes but went to the dressing room empty handed.

Half time 0-0.

The second half saw Barkingside come into the game more and in the 57th minute, they took the lead. Hoddesdon didn’t clear the ball and Jaeden Nathaniel from outside the box on the left, managed to capitalise, sweeping the ball home across Liam Nugent's goal for a good finish.

1-0

A quarter of an hour later, Hoddesdon scored a deserved equaliser on 71 minutes. Ben Clarke pulled the trigger upon receiving the ball after some great work from Connor Bolton. The effort was on target but likely being collected by the Barkingside goal keeper. Enter Jonah Evans, who made his way across the path of the ball and, with a clever back heel flick, diverted the ball into the opposite side of the goal, completely fooling the keeper. One of the few goals a season which Evans scores, according to his father who was positioned in the stand and watching on with a keen eye. You can watch the equalising goal (including commentary from his dad) HERE.

1-1

Having got themselves back on an even keel, full time was approaching, and whilst Hoddesdon will have felt they deserved more from the game, the feeling in the stands was 'take a point, go again'.

That all changed in the 88th minute.

Barkingside penetrated the Hoddesdon defence and found themselves driving into the box. Goalscorer Evans was adjudged to have been too heavy handed with his challenge on subsitute Obi Okafor, and the referee pointed to the spot. There was disbelief from the Lilywhites faithful, seemingly surrendering a hard fought point in the dying moments of the game. Okafor picked himself up off the floor and took the ball in his hands to take the penalty that he had just won for his team. However, luck would be on their side and whilst Nugent dived the correct way and was very close to getting a hand to the effort, the ball struck the base of the left upright and flew to safety.

There was relief amongst players and supporters as the rest of the game played out to a stalemate.

Hear Barkingside Manager James Wakeling give his post match verdict HERE.

Hoddesdon go again when they travel to Enfield Borough on Saturday.

Man of the Match: Jonah Evans

Team:

Nugent – Agnew – Evans – Riddle – Gibbs (Capt) – Cross (Barker 85) – Oakley (Lala 68 ) – Gallagher – Clarke (Bennison 77) – Eden (Lee 68) - Bolton