Researchers at the Guinness Book of Records were left scouring their football archives following a sensational 10-10 stalemate between Harold Hill and Global in the last 16 of the Essex Sunday Junior Cup, with shell-shocked Hill Manager Musan Sikka boldly proclaiming “there’s no reason why we can’t go all the way” as he witnessed his side claim victory in the tie, 4-3 on penalties.
Hendersons Sports & Social Club in Kenilworth Road was the scene for the potentially record-breaking exhibition on Sunday 24th January as crowds gathered to watch two determined teams battle-out a 9-9 draw after 90 minutes, with home team Harold Hill forcing a shootout via a converted spot-kick in the final 30 seconds of extra time having trailed their Essex Sunday Football Combination opponents for most of the game.
Global were rarely behind except at one point when Hill went 7-6 and 8-6 to the good, assisted largely by seven-goal striker George Shelvey. And in an age where Andy Gray and his Sky Sports colleagues regularly describe even 3-3 draws as goalfests, an application to the Guinness Book is currently being researched and analysed to discover whether the scoreline is, in fact, a world record-breaking feat.
“It was a shocking pitch but that added to the game,” proclaimed Sikka, who was forced to join-in as a player during extra time after an injury to one of his team mates. “The sides were committed to playing the ball on the deck. The defences and goalkeepers didn’t have the best of games but some of the attacking was fantastic! Every time we conceded I thought we might have lost but nobody gave-up and both teams played for a win.”
Neither had played in the league since 8th November but they made-up for lost time after recent postponements, finding the back of the net with ease. Harold Hill, from the Brentwood Sunday League, were especially staggered with the number of goals conceded, having only shipped eleven in their six league games so far. For their opponents, this constituted a fourth consecutive away draw, having ironically won their Round Four tie at Eastbrook Caledonian Thistle on penalties by four goals to three!
Match Referee Ernie Forsyth also recalled: “It was unbelievable! Some of the defending was atrocious but that could partly be blamed on the heavy pitch which caused quite a few mistakes. The players kept asking what the score was so, to keep things simple, I told them things like “you’re two behind at the moment!” It was the second half before I realised this wasn’t going to be just any old match as it was 3-2 at half-time. Quite a crowd had developed by the end as other matches nearby finished. You have to be disappointed if you score ten away from home and don’t win!”
The FA Charter Standard Development Club now look forward to Sunday’s encounter against title-chasing Chelmsford Invitation League side Wickford Town, which is likely to be a tighter affair as Town’s previous five matches in the cup have ‘only’ averaged eight goals per game. Sikka forecast: “To concede ten was incredible as we haven’t really been leaking goals this season. I’ve never seen anything like that Global game and never will again. All I can say is get the cameras down to Wickford on Sunday!”
Ever heard of a larger score draw, or have you even taken part in one yourself? Then contact chris.evans@essexfa.com with your recollections or call (01245) 393085. You can find out how Harold Hill got on in the quarter-finals in the 'Fixtures & Results' section, which is also the place to find all County Cup results and information.