MGBSFL DIVISION TWO
L'EQUIPE 3 AC MILL HILL 3

ANDY SMITH boosted L'Equipe's hopes of avoiding relegation with a hard-earned point denting Mill Hill's promotion hopes.

With Mill Hill vying for a top two finish and L'Equipe battling to avoid the drop, this was a well-fought, end-to-end contest, with both teams putting in some tough tackles.

Smith put the hosts ahead with a terrific free-kick from just outside the box. Mill Hill then equalised following a smart pass from Ben Zloof to Jonny Kaye who stroked the ball home.

Then some poor defending allowed L'Equipe in for their second which was well finished by the superb Smith.

Mill Hill regrouped at half-time and with a goal-of-the-season from Elliot Bloom put them back on level terms. The former Faithfold marksman picked up the ball 40 yards out and unleashed a stunning strike which looped over the keeper.

The visitors were then reduced to 10 men when Joe Levy reacted to a lunge from a L'Equipe defender. After pushing his opponent, he was shown a straight red card, which boss Dan Beresford believed was harsh.

Smith put L'Equipe ahead for the third time, tapping home from close range with 15 to go, but Mill Hill never gave up and they levelled for a third time when a volley from Zloof came back off the bar for Darren Bloom to slot home.

Mill Hill boss Dan Beresford gave an honest assessment after the game. He told JC Sport: "Having nine players out, I thought we were very lucky to get anything out the game.

"Credit to L'Equipe - they came with a game-plan and with two very handy strikers nearly played in their favour.

"On a horrible pitch, with alot of players missing, we dug deep and came away with a point when it looked like we would get nothing, so credit to my boys for digging deep and we'll played L'Equipe was an entertaining game."

L'Equipe joint-manager Josh Lewis told JC Sport: "We felt we should've taken the 3 points but we'll take the positives out it and it's a good way to finish 2014 and end our recent poor form."