NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: Assistant boss Okay prases Soham’s spirit after debutants earn them a draw at Aveley
Striker Craig Gillies, pictured here during his Chatteris Town days, netted Soham's equaliser on Saturday. Photo: Steve Snell - Credit: Archant
Assistant boss Erkan Okay has hailed the spirit of his Soham Town Rangers side after they stormed back from two goals down to snatch a point from their trip to Aveley on Saturday.
The Greens looked set to experience defeat for a sixth time this term but were rescued by strikes from debutants Lee Chaffey and Craig Gillies, who both signed for the club last week.
“We were extremely proud with the way the whole squad pulled together and got a point away from home after being two goals down,” Okay said.
“We actually started the game really well but we need to take advantage of being in control of games. We conceded two poor goals and it is always difficult chasing games 2-0 down but the second half performance was different class and in the end we deserved a point.
“The two new signings have added a lot of quality to the squad.”
Soham started brightly but Jordan Watson and Adam Bolle gave the hosts a two-goal lead after just 20 minutes.
The home side kept Soham at bay until the hour when Chaffey, who signed from St Ives Town last Friday, reduced the arrears at the second attempt following a long throw from Callum Russell.
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Aveley then went close to restoring their two-goal advantage but were denied by Dan Buddle on the line, before Soham snatched a dramatic late equaliser thanks to former Chatteris Town striker Gillies, who collected a Chaffey pass and rifled a low shot in off the post.
Soham will hope to turn in another impressive performance this weekend when AFC Hornchurch visit Julius Martin Lane (3pm).
The London side are yet to be beaten this season and sit in third in the Bostik North Division standings, so Okay is expecting a tough test on Saturday.
“We’re expecting a very difficult fixture against a solid side who are still unbeaten in the league,” he said.
“They have a lot of experience but we’re at home and if we can perform the same way we did against Aveley in the second half there is no reason why we can’t get another positive result.”
