Soham Let Lead Slip In Eight Goal Thriller

A REMARKABLE game at Julius Martin Lane at the weekend saw Soham squander a four goal lead to draw against Woodford United.

In a startling reversal of fortune from last week's dramatic 4-4 draw with Leighton Town, a game in which Soham themselves recovered from four goals down, fans could only watch in disbelief as the Greens surrendered their hard-earned lead.

The 4-4 draw, a 500-1 shot at the start of the day's play, sees the Greens slip to 18th place in the Midlands League Division One.

The opening 25 minutes of the game proved undoubtedly, to be the best of Soham's season so far as they carved the Woodford defence to shreds with a combination of pace and deft movement.

The opener came after just 12 minutes as Charles Libam fed Scott Johnson whose lashed shot was deflected home by Woodford centre-back Luke Carnell.

The lead was doubled four minutes later as Dubi Ogbonna slotted home at the second attempt after his initial chipped effort was well saved by the Woodford keeper.

A helplessly exposed Woodford defence could then only watch as wide-man Deaken

Napier ran riot through their ranks, netting two goals in a frenzied five minute burst.

In a desperate bid to restore order after a dizzying half-hour, Woodford made a change in personal and re-organised their defence to prevent further damage before the half-time whistle.

As it transpired the change proved an astute one as, despite riding their luck as Soham continued to press, Woodford settled and managed to pull a crucial goal back after 37 minutes as front man Glenn Hawkins lashed home from 10 yards.

After the break, Woodford continued to grow into the game and began to exert some pressure on the home defence as they sought a way back into the tie. Their momentum however, was temporarily halted as Neil King was given his marching orders following an altercation with the Soham bench.

Despite the deficit, Woodford's charge was quickly back on track and they pulled another goal back in the 63rd minute as Hawkins rose highest to meet a superbly delivered cross.

Matters soon worsened for the Greens after 75 minutes when Hawkins completed his hat-trick in fine style with an accomplished finish past a despairing Ian Pledger in the home goal.

The restless home faithful began to urge Soham forward and their prayers were almost answered with 10 minutes to go as Luke Hipwell found himself through on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat.

With the goal was at his mercy however, the midfielder sliced his shot agonisingly wide.

Minutes later and the visitors were to make Soham pay as Lewis Travers capitalised on rampant indecision in the Soham box to slot home, completing a remarkable comeback.