Vickers share spoils with table toppers (From News Shopper)

Vickers share spoils with table toppers

9:22pm Sunday 31st January 2010

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VCD recorded a very creditable draw against high flying East Thurrock with a 2-2 draw in difficult conditions.

With the game doubtful before kick-off the pitch proved to be both slippery and muddy underfoot with some areas still frozen so it was surprising to see so many goals on the day.

The Vickers were without influential captain Danny Penny and last season's player of the year Gary Cook with Lee Maskell and Chris Tedder returning to the starting line up.

The home side had the better of the opening exchanges and used a direct approach to good effect on the slippery pitch but the Vickers showed their counter-attacking threat.

On 10 minutes Kevin Winchcombe released Meshach Nugent on the halfway line and the powerful forward's shot flashed just wide of the post and a sliding Leroy Huggins.

As the Vickers got into their stride they constructed a fine move involving Huggins, Nugent and Anthony Hogg that ended with the ball being slid to Nick Hegley who took one touch in the box before firing home from an angle on twenty minutes.

The Vickers won a succession of corners but failed to capitalise whilst at the other end James Tedder had to take two attempts to gather from a cross and despite some good pressure from the Rocks the defence held firm.

On forty minutes the Vickers gifted another goal to the opposition when a back pass from Chris Tedder sold his brother James short and Kevin Watson intervened with a fine tackle but as he attempted to clear the loose ball he caught the onrushing right midfielder and a penalty was awarded.

Top scorer Sam Higgins drove the ball at goal and Tedder partially saved with his legs but the ball hit the net to make it 1-1.

The second half was an even affair until another gifted goal was handed to the hosts when a long punt by the keeper was flicked on into the path of an unmarked Kris Newby who sent a fierce drive past the hand of Tedder to make it 2-1.

The Rocks had their keeper to thank for a brave block from Huggins who got on the end of a Nugent flick but deep into injury time Anthony Hogg blasted home the equaliser from close range as the ball bounced loose from a Winchcombe free kick that was not dealt with.

VCD take on Redbridge away on Tuesday 2nd February at 7.45pm before entertaining Heybridge Swifts at Oakwood on Saturday 6th February at 3pm.

VCD line up J Tedder, Hunt, Barton, A Hogg (1 goal), Tedder, Watson, Winchcombe, Maskell (sub Firth 72 mins), Huggins, Nugent, Hegley Subs not used Ibemere, Ward, Mitchell and S Hogg

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