HELLENIC LEAGUE DIVISION ONE EAST

Rayners Lane 1

Headington Amateurs 1

LEAGUE leaders Rayners Lane halted their three-match losing streak with a hard-earned point against closest challengers Headington Amateurs.

Four points separate these two teams at the top of the Hellenic League Division One East and there was nothing to choose between them in Saturday’s stalemate.

Striker Lawrence Yaku made a flying start to the match and saw an early shot well-saved by Headington keeper Harry Jenkins.

Lane keeper Keiran Jimmy was then called into action as he twice denied Luke Cuff and then made another sensational stop to keep out Liam Morbey.

Yaku and this season’s top marksman Ryan Upton both went close again before the break but the deadlock remained unbroken as the teams headed in at the break.

Although the hosts made a decent start to the second period, the game seemed to drift away from Dene Gardner’s men and Headington enjoyed long spells of possession.

But possession does not necessarily yield goals and a rapid counter-attack down the left allowed Upton to open the scoring as the clock ticked past the hour mark.

Headington, keen to close the gap at the top of the table, responded quickly and Ollie Zaja finished off a fine Headington move to level the score.

They were presented with a golden opportunity to snatch the points six minutes from time but Paul Hedger faltered under the pressure as he missed a late penalty.