HORNDEAN manager Michael Birmingham was delighted with his side’s performance after they drew 1-1 at Fleet Town in the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division on Saturday afternoon.
The Deans took the lead early on through Ben Anderson’s goal, but Aaron Redford’s first-half equaliser earned Fleet a share of the spoils.
The point leaves Horndean in eighth place in the Premier Division table.
“We were excellent,” said Birmingham. “We had players missing because of suspensions and injuries, but my lads were terrific.
“There was one team who wanted to play football and one team who wanted to lump it long. We were very brave on what was a difficult pitch for both sides.
“Ben Anderson scored again and he is on fire at the minute. The boy has bundles of energy.”
Next up for the Deans is a home match against seventh-placed Portland United on Saturday.
The Five Heads Park outfit drew 2-2 at Portland earlier this season, and Birmingham is expecting a difficult match for his side.
“What a tough game Portland will be for us,” said the Horndean manager.
“They are a team full of experience, and Jamie Symes is one of the best target men in the division. We will need to make sure we have high energy levels against Portland.”
Elsewhere in the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division on Saturday, league leaders Alresford Town are on the road and will travel to The HP Arena to face second-placed AFC Stoneham in what promises to be a mouthwatering top-of-the-table clash. Kick-off is at 3pm.
The Magpies lead the table by six points, but Stoneham have two games in hand.