Frenford 3 May & Baker 3

Eastern Senior South, Tuesday 2nd August

I was over at The Drive in Ilford/Redbridge on Tuesday evening as Frenford and May & Baker played out a superb six goal thriller as both sides earned a point on another lovely evening on the Essex/East London border.

The hosts had not started their league campaign that well at the weekend, going down to a 3-0 reverse at Burnham Ramblers, whereas Bakers were looking for a second win to keep up their 100% start after they had seen off new boys Cannons Wood at home on Friday night.

Frenford did actually start the better of the two sides but after eleven minutes they fell behind when a corner swung in saw skipper Jamie Marsh climb highest to head home, but just before the midway point of the first period Frenford responded when after a long range effort from Harry Daly had been beaten out by Seb Barford, James Peagram was on hand to bury the rebound.

Just three minutes after that though Bakers restored their lead when a lovely pass in behind the backline from Idris Aminu found Abidemi Lamina and the latter made no mistake by slotting past Jack Ryan, however this bonkers first half continued to deliver as the hosts then levelled eleven minutes before the break when Sam Munton managed to get free inside the box to slot home.

And then two minutes after that the hosts led as a flick on released Raheem Gray in on goal and he brilliantly lofted over Barford, it had been a breathless half of football, and one the hosts managed to edge in terms of the score line as it came to a conclusion, allowing everyone to try and get their breath back, it had been sublime.

Bakers came out and immediately missed two great chances to level, but eight minutes into the half they did find a leveller to make it 3-3 when after hosts keeper Ryan had made two brilliant saves, he could nothing about the third as Rob Bagnall was on hand to smash home the loose ball from close range, and the visitors were very much on top.

They could not capitalise on the several openings that came there way though, either through poor finishing or keeper Ryan getting in the way (the keeper had a brilliant game it has to be said) but towards the end of the match Bakers almost paid for these misses when Frenford had a couple of golden chances to nick it, but they could not and it meant this pulsating contest ended all square, but it had been a thoroughly entertaining encounter.

Lastly I would like to thank Frenford boss Dave Forbes, or Forbesy as he is known, for handing me and Scott W a pass for the season to their games at The Drive, it's little things like this that make you want to come back and cover teams like this, a magnificent gesture indeed, have always found the club very welcoming and appreciative of our efforts, so we applaud you for that. And if all the games here are as entertaining as this one was, it's a no brainer!!!

Full time Frenford 3 May & Baker 3