Arlesey equalise through an own goal as the Gospot No.5, Mollineux, bundles the ball over the line. Photo: Martyn Annetts

Blues steal a point at the death to maintain decent start to the season

Arlesey Town 1 Gosport Borough 1

Evo-Stik Southern Premier

On this first ever meeting of these two clubs the game ended in a flurry of activity as two late goals – one apiece – saw the match finish in a draw.

The match had begun with a minute’s silence for Arlesey club stalwart Bernard Nicholl who died in the week, and in terms of team news James Hatch had not quite recovered from a knock so Chris Dillon came back into the side while Jeanmal Prosper retained his place.

Within the first minute Arlesey had gone close, but it was from the head of Gosport’s Brett Peate that his own goalkeeper, Nathan Ashmore, was forced into a fine save.

The Blues continued a fine start with a shot by Dillon, which went wide, while Drew Roberts slipped in the box after being put through by Dillon.

Gosport also had chances in the first half, with Steffan Guise poking a Justin Bennett cross just around the post.

Yet the crowd had to wait until 10 minutes to go for the opener, and it went to the away side with skipper Aaron Cook heading a free-kick past Arlesey goalkeeper Nathan Abbey.

With time slipping away Arlesey sent on Harry Hunt for Leon Hibbert as the Blues pushed for the equaliser.

When Town’s Roberts was fouled by Adam Wilde, Sol Davis dropped in a ball that Dillon sent goalwards but although Gosport goalkeeper Ashmore got his hands on it he could only parry onto his own player, Lee Molyneux, with the ball rolling back past him and into the goal for 1-1.

This Tuesday Arlesey travel to league leaders Hemel Hempstead Town before a trip to Barton Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Arlesey Town: Abbey, Browne, Davis, Blackett, Frater (Thurlbourne 90), Hibbert (Hunt 83), Goss, Prosper, Dillon, Roberts, Draycott (Marsh 65). Subs not used: Patrick, Bussey.

Att: 121