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Harrowby United and Blackstones draw in the United Counties League




Honours finished even in the derby duel between Harrowby United and Blackstones for the fourth consecutive match on Saturday.

The two sides had twice shared the spoils last season and had played out a 1-1 draw in their first meeting of the campaign in Stamford at the end of October.

Harrowby had twice held the lead in Saturday's clash at the JRL Brickwork Stadium with Stones hitting back on both occasions, including an injury-time equaliser, to return home with a point in the United Counties League Division One clash, writes Mark Fardell.

Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts

There was another bumper crowd as the Arrows looked for a fourth successive league win while Stones were aiming to bounce back after their four-goal derby defeat against Bourne Town on Boxing Day.

The hosts were boosted by the return of Jack Gurney, Luke Peberdy and Max Baker who had missed the weekend win over Rainworth.

Stones had to make a couple of changes with youth teamer Johan Coughlan coming in for his first start of the season.

Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts

Harrowby started well with a couple of dangerous crosses giving Blackstones goalkeeper Simon Dalton some trouble.

The Arrows took the lead after 20 minutes when Jack Gurney's through ball found Lord Marfo who finished low to Dalton's right with Blackstones looking for an offside.

The visitors came more into the game after going behind and Arrows goalkeeper Richard Stainsby made a good save against his former club.

Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts

The equaliser then arrived after 27 minutes when Harrowby were punished for not clearing the ball and Nathan Rudman pounced to equalise as the home side's appeals for offside were also in vain.

That sent the sides into the break on level terms with Harrowby emerging with more intensity as they created the better chances.

Jack Arbon blasted over when well-placed while a second goal always looked on the cards with Gurney putting in some dangerous crosses.

Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts

And it duly arrived just past the hour mark as another Gurney cross picked out the impressive Peberdy who headed home to put Harrowby back in front.

A third goal would probably have put the contest beyond Blackstones and Harrison Dee had a header cleared off the line.

Stones stayed in the contest though and were still very much in the game as they pushed for an equaliser as the second half wore on.

Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts
Harrowby and Blackstones shared the spoils on Saturday. Photo: Toby Roberts

Harrowby then conceded a needless free-kick deep into stoppage time which was put into the penalty area and Jamie Short diverted it home past Stainsby.

It left Harrowby feeling as though it was two points dropped as they were guilty of not putting the game to bed in the second half but full credit to Blackstones who kept in the game and got their reward late on.

Harrowby remain in fourth spot ahead of Saturday's tough-looking trip to second-placed Clipstone.

Ninth-placed Blackstones entertain Leicester St Andrews on Saturday.



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