On the day the government announced another suspension of non elite football, it was a case of second vs third in the Pitching In Isthmian League South East Division.
With Saturdays 2-0 win over Whitstable still fresh in their minds VCD took on East Grinstead Town in a rearranged fixture which was due to be played 3 weeks ago.
The Wasps made the trip on the back of a 2-1 win over The Vickers neighbours Phoenix Sports last Tuesday meaning both sides took to the field bursting with confidence.
It was The Vickers that gained the early control as both sides battled for advantage in a game where the first goal could decisive in a match where a victory for either side would mean second spot, with just two points and a single goal separating the teams in the table.
Good work down the centre of the pitch from the home side saw the first initial effort on goal bouncing harmlessly wide of The Wasps left hand post with just over 3 minutes gone.
The battle in midfield was proving to be a deciding factor as both clubs searched for the advantage, and with 15 minutes on the clock it was VCD who found a break when a cross field ball found Chris Edwards whos low effort stung the palms of Jacob Adams in the visitors goal.
Five minutes later Adams proved why he’s one of the highest rated keepers in the division, with a flying save to deny VCD forward Malachi Hudson whos drive from the edge of the box was destined for the top corner.
East Grinstead were now rocking as VCD slowly gained the momentum they hoped for but The Wasps back line stood strong as The Vickers continued their search for the opening goal.
However, the game was turned on its head just before half time, with The Vickers still on the attack it was East Grinstead who broke free. A delightful cross field pass finding Michael Uwezu who fired past Nick Blue in the home sides goal to silence a majority of the 211 crowd but send the visiting contigent into celebration.
Knowing a win would see them overtake Hastings to top the table going into the government enforced break VCD came out on the attack, and with Emilliano Hysi playing his socks off in the middle of the park it was surely only a matter of time before an equaliser arrived.
It was Hysi himself who found the space to curl a shot from the edge of the area just wide of the right hand post with 55 minutes on the clock.
The equalising goal duly arrived in the 62nd minute when a through ball found Marcus Elliott who found space to slip the ball past the dive of Adams and celebrate as it nestled into the bottom right hand corner.
With the tie now level both teams searched for the winner which couldve seen them told the table, The Wasps coming close just 5 minutes after conceding when Louie Theophanous shot from an acute angle was well saved by Nick Blue.
VCD responded through a Malachi Hudson effort which curled just wide of the target from around 20 yards and Charles Etumnu, who fired into the side netting.
As the final whistle approached East Grinstead attempted to repeat the end of the first half with an attack down the right through Sean Chloessy who fired in a cross to Daniel Thompson, who saw his header fly over the bar from 6 yards much to the relief of the VCD Committee on the hill behind the goal.
With the sound of the final whistle screeching through the chilly Crayford air and the points shared, both teams now look forward to an enforced break, Its as you were with The Vickers remaining second and The Wasps in third.
No more football until the start of December at least, surely this result was cheered loudest of all on the Sussex coast as Hastings United continue to top the table.
VCD – Blue, Edwards (Frey 58) Proberts, Barry, Oshilaja, Dawson (c) Hysi, Hudson, Etumnu, Elliott, Adesite
Subs- El Mogharbel, Vines, Okonkwo, Griffiths
Wasps – Adams, Clohessy, Harrison, Sonogo, Glasson, Readon, Uchechi (Thompson 87) Waldron (c) Theophanous (Wedgeworth 90) Smith ( Hall-Anderson 74), Uwezu
Subs Ogmore, Rudd
Goals VCD – Elliott 62
EGT – Uwezu 45
Cautions – Harrison (EGT)
Attendance 211