Hartpury FC concluded their pre-season with a tightly contested 1-1 draw against Milton Keynes Irish at Manor Fields, on Saturday.
Billy Osborn’s second half equalising goal cemented the draw for the Acorns against this Southern League Div One Central opposition.
Osborn saw the opening chance of the game fall to him on eight minutes when he met a looping Drew Robinson cross but could only head his effort wide of the mark.
It took till 20 minutes were on the clock for the first shot on target when Riley McGregor saw a low driven effort well stopped, following so intricate play from Noah Coates and Joao Silva.
But straight down the other end the Irish found the net with a punishing finish at the back post.
Silva attempted one from distance, on 36 minutes, but effort looped onto the roof of the net.
Seth Locke was called into action on 42 minutes, when he needed to beat away a fierce effort on the angle, seeing the Acorns enter half time narrowly behind.
HALF TIME – MILTON KEYNES IRISH 1-0 HARTPURY FC
The Irish carried their momentum into the second period, going close on 51 minutes when a curling effort flew just over the bar.
Another chance went begging for the Irish when a lashed effort, on the angle, struck the side netting on 58 minutes.
The Acorns went close to levelling on 61 minutes when Louis Manning saw a close ranged effort smothered by the recovering goalkeeper, following a half cleared punch.
But three minutes later Osborn did level the scoring when, after a mix up at the back, the ball fell kindly for the forward who fired his effort high into the net.
The Acorns picked up their momentum and went close again on 75 minutes, when Nathan Jenkins’ curling, looping effort brushed the roof of the net.
But that was the last the action for the game, seeing the Acorns end their pre-season preparations with a draw.
Competitive football is back upon us, and it all begins in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary round for the Acorns, as we travel to Hellenic League Premier side Cirencester Town, next Friday.
FULL TIME – MILTON KEYNES IRISH 1-1 HARTPURY FC
STARTING XI: Locke (GK), Kent, Sims, Walters, Robinson (Sanniola 65’), Manning (Ewing 70’), McGregor, Jenkins, Coates (Hernden 41’), Silva (Preston 57’), Osborn © (Cherchi 63’)
Written by Sam Yapp
