Stratford Town front-runner, Callum Ebanks, made a goalscoring return to action on Saturday as his brace helped the Bards take a point from their entertaining encounter with Pitching In Southern League Premier Central leaders, Kettering Town.
It was the visitors who took the lead in the opening exchanges before Stratford had Finley Brennan sent off to make what was already a tough task even more difficult. But Ebanks was able to bring the sides level on the stroke of half-time.
Once more the Poppies edged back in front early in the second period, only for Owen James to restore parity. Ebanks then popped up with his second of the afternoon to put his side in front for the first time and although Kettering were able to level matters with eight minutes to go, it proved to be a battling display from the Bards.
“Missing the previous two games, I was just eager to get back out there,” Ebanks told his club’s media. “It was nice to get back on the scoresheet and help us get something out of this game.
“Being a goal behind and then having a man sent off against the League leaders, it just shows the character that we have here to be able to get something out of the game.
“It was a roller-coaster; there was plenty of entertainment for the fans and now we look to build on this point as we host AFC Telford United on New Year’s Day, which is sure to be another tough test.
“We’ll continue to work hard in preparation, as we always do, and hopefully our character and spirit will come through again to help us add to our points’ tally.”
The Bards sit fifth, but things are so tight that they are just two points off second place.
IMAGE: Granty
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