Needham Market 1 Rushall Olympic 1 - Report

It was the home side who burst out of the blocks and they almost took the lead within the opening minute.

As we started to get into our stride, a header from a corner was scrambled off the line before Rowley and Whittingham combined well to set up Letford whose strike was saved.

We were working hard to keep the home side at bay whilst looking a threat on the break with Moore going close and Whittingham seeing a strike deflected just wide.

The home side were seeing plenty of the ball in the middle of the park and Flatt had to be alert to make a couple of good saves.

At the other end, a free-kick from Moore just past the half-hour forced a smart one-handed save from the ‘keeper who then thwarted Rowley and Whittingham in quick succession.

There was plenty of ebb-and-flow to the game but it remained goalless going into the break.

The early action of the second period saw a clearance from Charlton almost rebound into the net off the home front-man.

Waldron and Whittingham went close in quick succession but it was the home side who edged in front with ten minutes to go with a header.

As we pushed for a leveller, we were rewarded with two minutes to go when Whittall headed home from a Moore corner.

We looked the most likely side in stoppage time but had to settle for a point as the home side were reduced to ten men.

Rushall: Flatt, O’Callaghan (Lund 85), Charlton (Burroughs 54), Clarke, Whittall, Pendley, Moore, Rowley, Whittingham. Letford, Waldron (Sawyers 64). Subs not used: Finn, Mansell.