Hartpury FC were left frustrated by Worcester Raiders on Tuesday night following a 1-1 draw at the KMM Energy Stadium.
Despite Morgan Ewing’s goal right on half time and a dominating performance, the Acorns were forced to settle for a point in this Southern League Div One South match.
Nathan Jenkins had a half chance, on five minutes, when he picked up a loose ball 18-yards from goal but could only hit his effort straight at Charlie Emery, in the Raiders goal.
A gluts of chances fell the Acorns way shortly after with Louis Manning striking over the bar from 18-yards on 11 minutes, before Kian Davies curled a free-kick just wide three minutes later.
A minute after the free-kick, Jenkins nutmegged his man on half way before playing an inch perfect pass through to Ewing, but he saw his low effort well blocked behind.
The Acorns went close on 22 minutes when Manning saw a one-on-one effort well smothered by Emery.
Manning again tested Emery on 26 minutes, stinging the palms of the Raiders shot stopper with a fierce effort directed towards the front post.
Ewing saw a glancing header float wide of the far post on the half hour mark, following a dangerous Davies cross.
Keon Sanniola attempted to lob the goalkeeper from close range, on 36 minutes, but was denied by a stretching save from Emery, before Cameron Walters saw an acrobatic effort fly just wide two minutes later.
The Acorns should have really been ahead on 43 minutes when Sanniola was denied by a double save from Emery before Davies saw an attempt well blocked from close range.
But the Acorns finally broke the deadlock in stoppage time at the end of the first half, when Ewing threw himself at a free ball at the back post to fire his effort high into the net.
HALF TIME – HARTPURY FC 1-0 WORCESTER RAIDERS
It wasn’t the best start to the second period for the Acorns, who saw Raiders equalise through a low Ben Sanogo effort on 50 minutes.
Seth Locke was called into action on 56 minutes, denying a driven Raiders headed effort from close range.
The Acorns almost took the lead back, on 65 minutes, but Drew Robinson’s headed effort flew over the bar following an inviting Manning cross.
Locke was called upon once again on 67 minutes, when he had to get down smartly to turn away a Sanogo free-kick.
Five minutes later, Billy Osborn swept a low effort wide of the post after meeting a low Manning cross.
The Acorns tried everything to find a late winner but only came close when Jenkins fired over the bar frmm distance, on 86 minutes, seeing the game end level.
The Acorns are back in action on Saturday when we travel to Bideford AFC, looking to return to winning ways in the Southern League Div One South.
FULL TIME – HARTPURY FC 1-1 WORCESTER RAIDERS
STARTING XI: Locke (GK), Kent ©, Sanniola (Osborn 57’), Walters, McGregor, Davies, Aldridge (Coates 68’), Jenkins, Manning, Ewing, Robinson (Silva 87’)
UNUSED SUBS: Callow, Preston
Written by Sam Yapp
