Saffron Crocus Reserves 3 Litlington 3 IT is now eight games since Litlington last won in the BIS 4A league, but their performance on Saturday was as close as they have come to picking up three points. As in previous weeks, Ashley Hawkins' side played som

Saffron Crocus Reserves 3 Litlington 3

IT is now eight games since Litlington last won in the BIS 4A league, but their performance on Saturday was as close as they have come to picking up three points.

As in previous weeks, Ashley Hawkins' side played some attractive football and were the better team but luck simply isn't with them at the moment.

They started brightly and took the lead on the five minute mark when James Evans saw his volley deflected past the Crocus keeper, and Litlington then spent the next 10 minutes camped in their opponents' half as they searched for a second.

The Crocus keeper made a series of good saves, including one when facing Paul Harris in a one-on-one, and Litlington's Gary Reader was also unlucky when he narrowly missed the top corner with a diving header.

Crocus weathered the early storm and began to take the game to Litlington and they drew level when an opportunist strike from range was deflected past Bonfield in the Litlington goal off Reader's back.

Things then went from bad to worse for Litlington and the unlucky Reader when a soft free kick was awarded against the player and was dispatched into the top corner from 25 yards.

Somehow, the second half began with Litlington trailing despite their dominance and Hawkins' side once again showed their attacking capabilities but failed to convert any of their early chances.

The best of these fell to assistant manager James Evans who failed to hit the target from eight yards following some superb build up play involving himself, Mark Briggs, Derry Warren and Harris.

It was only a matter of time, though, before Litlington did score and the inevitable goal came via a set piece midway through the second half.

A superb free kick from Warren was met at the back post by Briggs who headed the ball across goal for Matt Kingsley to head home from five yards.

Litlington sensed blood and went for the jugular but once again were undone when a long range shot from all of 35 yards sailed past Bonfield to put Crocus back into the lead.

With just five minutes left of a pulsating game Litlington at last got what they deserved with that man Reader again at the heart of proceedings.

It was his free kick which the keeper handled like a hot potato, allowing the impressive Kingsley to get his second of the game.

Litlington pushed for the winner but to no avail and but for a splendid last ditch tackle from Hawkins Litlington would have lost with the final play of the match.

"I am gutted that we didn't win today - we had all the chances but the luck was with Crocus today," Hawkins said.

"We tried a few different things today and they showed potential. The pairing of Paul Harris and Matt Kingsley up front worked really well and James Evans looked lively on the wing.

"I was also very impressed with Derry Warren in centre midfield whose range of passing was first class."

Litlington: Bonfield, Hawkins, Reader, Briggs, Rutter, Choudury, Warren, Cottiss Evans, Harris, Kingsley. Subs: Chapman, Butler.