FALTERING Finchampstead failed to win for a fifth game in a row as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Hellenic League Division One East strugglers Old Woodstock Town, writes Richard Ashton.

Finch travelled with a bare 11 players in their squad, but they had the better of the opening exchanges with Freddie Barron in particular looking lively.

At the other end, captain Sam Green cut out a dangerous Woodstock raid before a Barron shot went wide.

Dan Blatchford struck a free-kick which drifted wide as Finchampstead continued to have the better of the contest, but they fell behind against the run of play on 37 minutes.

Woodstock mounted a breakaway along the right wing and when the ball arrived at the back post, Islam Lala was there to turn it home.

Things got even worse for Finch less than a minute later when Old Woodstock won the ball back from the kick-off and Charlie Gillet hammered the ball past Tom Bryant from range.

Finch had the chance to cut the gap shortly after when Blatchford released Harry Swabey, but he failed to hit the target.

However, he made amends straight after the break when curling home a free-kick to make it 2-1.

Old Woodstock then hit the woodwork at the far end before Finch piled on the pressure.

Their dominance was rewarded in the 68th minute when Richard Brooks was red carded for handball on the home side’s goalline.

Blatchford stepped up to drill the resulting penalty home as the visitors levelled matters, and they continued to lay siege to the Woodstock goal as the game progressed.

However, Michael Bawn in the Old Woodstock goal continued to be in fine form as he repelled a wave of attacks, and Blatchford wasted a glorious chance when his header sailed over the bar.

Barron had another opportunity to snatch victory for Finchampstead as time continued to tick away, but the 10 men defended stoutly and held on to earn a point.

Finchampstead drop to seventh in the table, having taken 27 points from the 17 games to date.

In what is an increasingly congested league table, they are only nine points behind the three sides level at the top – Penn & Tylers Green, Henley Town and Bicester Town.

Jon Laugharne’s men travel to Chalfont Wasps this coming Saturday (3pm), before visiting a Chinnor side which retains title hopes next Tuesday (7.45pm).