An unprecedented level of pre-match banter made for an intense battle as Wanderers came up against the only side to have deprived them of all three points this season, Finchampstead Athletic Sunday B.

The Blues barely had an opportunity to get going as in the fifth minute they conceded a penalty.  A low cross into the box flicked up, and Andy Corless instinctively handled the ball inside the six yard box.  Mellor was given little chance as the penalty kick was struck low to his left.

In the remaining forty minutes, Wanderers slowly came to life and offered much in commitment.  Paul Martin was reduced to one attempt on goal, a left-footed volley which drifted wide.

At the other end, Finchampstead had adopted a direct style with balls aimed towards their forward.  The aerial superiority of Corless, van der Laan O'Donnell and Chris Orbell helped stifle most of the attacks.

Chris Hillsdon nearly helped present the Blues with an equaliser, as he threaded a fine ball to Tom Mansfield.  Mansfield bravely challenged the Finchampstead 'keeper, who did well to divert the ball out for a corner.

Like Martin, top-scorer Tom Soane was presented with few chances in the first half.  However, he was to come close towards the end of the half.  Good work by Ian Griffiths saw Soane direct a shot towards goal, only for the Finchampstead 'keeper to parry the ball away.

Wanderers almost grabbed a goal at the start of the second period as Soane found himself free on the Blues' right.  Despite an acute angle, his shot was on target and was again parried away well.

Ten minutes later, Wanderers had another opportunity as a free-kick was awarded thirty yards from goal.  Anthony Prior stepped up and struck a powerful effort, which just whistled past the upright.

Mellor was seldom called upon, but showed good handling on two occasions as Finchampstead sought to put the match beyond Wanderers.

Clint Falcus was then introduced in the middle of midfield, replacing the hard-working Mansfield.  Within seconds of his arrival on the pitch, Wanderers scored the inevitable equaliser.  Corless' ball into the box was not dealt with and Ian Griffths was unmarked to place a shot into the corner of the net from ten yards out.

As the Blues looked for victory, Jamie Ryall and then Lewis Trusty came on in place of Ford and Martin.  Both sides had to defend well in the closing stages, but there were no genuine chances for either team.

A draw was a fair result on the balance of play, with Finchampstead matching Wanderers in a determined display.  At this, the business end of the season, the Blues recognise that there will be no easy games to come. 

TEAM: Allan Mellor, Chris Hillsdon, Dan van der Laan O'Donnell, Andy Corless, Chris Orbell, Ian Griffiths, Scott Ford, Tom Mansfield, Anthony Prior, Tom Soane, Paul Martin.

SUBS: Clint Falcus (for Mansfield), Jamie Ryall (for Ford) and Lewis Trusty (for Martin).