Ryan 5 Epping Town 5

Essex Olympian League Division Two, Tuesday April 27

Tuesday evening saw me over at The Matchday Centre at Wadham Lodge in Walthamstow for an Essex Olympian Division Two contest between Ryan and Epping Town, and it turned out to be one of those crazy games you get once in a while as the teams played out a ten-goal thriller in one of the most mental games I have ever seen.

Ryan’s season so far has seen them net three wins, two draws and four losses in their nine games so far which has them in ninth, whilst Epping Town have won six, drew three and lost three in their twelve games thus far and know a win this evening would put them into third place and just two points off top spot.

The hosts form since the resumption at the start of April has been mixed, a win and a draw and two losses, with their last game a 2-0 defeat at Corinthians, whilst Epping had won all three of their games until they were beaten on Saturday by Wakering Sports, but one of those wins came against then unbeaten league leaders leigh Town, so they have been largely in good form after the break.

Would they be able to continue this decent form in this one or could Ryan spring a surprise on the Intermediate Grass Pitch at Wadham Lodge? No one could have predicted what was to follow though.

Epping got themselves ahead after eighteen minutes when a lovely ball in by skipper Joe Rudkin found a totally unmarked Callum Turner who guided home a header into the bottom corner, but eight minutes before the break Ryan were level after a mishap at the back from Epping keeper Will Skingley.

The keeper came charging out of goal, not for the first time in the half, and miskicked his clearance straight to the hosts who fired an effort back against the post and saw the loose ball fall to Scout Bown who followed in to slot under Skingley with eight minutes of the half to go, and then moments later Ryan had the lead when Aymen Mekni slotted home.

Epping though were back on terms with four minutes of the half remaining after Chris Gormley had curled home a delightful free kick, but two minutes later Ryan found themselves back in front once again after a corner from the right to the near post seemed to hit keeper Stingley, then off Mekni and then off a defender before ending up in the net, I think it was an own goal but to be honest I am not sure what happened, however what I did know was Ryan went into the break with a 3-2 lead.

If you thought the end of the first half was mad, wait until you hear what happened after the break!!! Epping were the team on the front foot, and they missed numerous chances to level, but finally with just under twenty minutes remaining they found a leveller when Graeme Turner fired a ball across goal for Gormley to turn home at the far post, and you thought Epping would probably go on and win the game.

However Ryan had other ideas and with just over fifteen minutes to go they retook the lead again when Bown fired an effort at goal from inside the box and it took a huge deflection, wrong footing keeper Skingley, and ended up in the net, and then with ten to go Ryan looked to have sealed the deal and a shock win when they added a fifth after Bown netted his third of the contest by tapping home a cross from the right, game over right?

Well, no, as this incredible game had yet more drama to come, and saw Epping pull one back with seven minutes to go after Callum Turner nodded home from close range, and then with five minutes remaining the visitors were awarded a spot kick after Graeme Turner was tripped inside the box, and Dave Limber converted the penalty and it was now 5-5!!!

In the aftermath of the Epping leveller, hosts keeper Ciaran Glazebrook was given a straight red for something he must have said to the referee, this game had everything and it still had a few more minutes to give a bit more, and deep deep into stoppage time Ryan so nearly pinched all three points but Epping just about kept them out and the referee then blew the whistle to end the game of all games, it had been absolutely crazy, mad, mental, and it had ended with the sides picking up a point each, time for a lie down!!!

Full Time Ryan 5 Epping Town 5

 

Let’s see what that does to the table…

Ryan move up a place to eighth whilst Epping miss the chance to go third, they will consider this two points dropped although at 5-3 down they may be relieved to have got anything from this contest. Ryan are next in action at the weekend where they play back here at Wadham Lodge against another promotion chasing side in Laindon Orient, whilst Epping travel to another side towards the bottom end of the table in Harold Wood Athletic Reserves which is now must win.

 

There is also a game in this division on Thursday night this week as promotion chasing Corinthians take on bottom side AS Rawreth at Stambridge Memorial Ground, and if the hosts do pick up the win everyone expects them too they will go level on points with the leaders, I will be present at that game, so follow me at @ped1980 on twitter for updates of that, and of course there will be a blog on that game too to follow.

Tomorrow night (Wednesday) sees me taking in more Essex Olympian League action with a Division One clash over at Town Mead in Waltham Abbey as Manford Way take on Chingford Athletic, make sure you follow me for updates and blog on that too.