The double-header Bank Holiday football bonanza began with a point as Woodford Town hosted Barking under the lights on Friday, with Solomon Ofori's opener on eight minutes cancelled out by Michael Dixon in the second half.

Shane Baptiste's side began the clash on the front foot and reaped the rewards, with Ofori pouncing on a mistake by Barking goalkeeper and former Woods man Leey Haylock. He came out to clear a long ball in-behind, took a touch and was tackled, with our summer signing pouncing and rolling the ball into an empty net from range.

We continued to control the first half as we looked to get the ball down and build from the back, with the zippy surface, caused by a harrowing downpour shortly before kick-off, allowing for ideal playing conditions on what would have usually been a dry August evening. Despite having the lion's share of possession, it didn't account for doubling the lead, with chances few and far between for both sides after 45 minutes.

However, the second half was far from what fans would have expected, based on the performance prior to the interval. The visitors came out on top, and their fast start caught us by surprise as Dixon equalised with 46 minutes on the clock. A counter-attack was not dealt with, providing the Barking man with the opportunity which he gleefully took.

The remainder of the game proved to be frustrating for both sides, as Woodford regained dominance on home soil. Craig Edwards' Barking remained defensively solid and tough to break down, and despite The Woods getting into good areas, the final ball just didn't quite fall as they would have hoped. Angus Hastings had a header clared off the line, whilst Marko Protic forced Haylock into a terrific save on the volley from range, before the duo then both had a chance to fire home a winner in added time, but neither could divert Ofori's deflected cross goal-wards.

At the conclusion, a point is a fair result, with both sides now turning their attention to their fixtures away from home on Bank Holiday Monday. Woodford make the short trip across the Borough to face high-flying Frenford, who have had a great start to the season, in what is set to be another mouthwatering Essex Senior League clash.

Starting XI: Haidara (GK); Kirwan-Meade, Agboola, Hastings, Danquah; Owusu (C (Runham - 70')), Jewers, Anderson (Mitchell-Neslon - 70'); Ahmed (Sergio - 70'), Protic, Ofori.

Unused substitutes: Gomes, Ayvaz.