In wet and wild conditions with the wind wreaking havoc, the Hillians came away from Kent with what could prove to be a valuable point.

It took a while for both teams to settle with the blustery conditions and the driving rain, everyone was thankful for Sevenoaks’ 3G pitch or this game wouldn’t of been played. The first attempt of the evening fell to Connor Tighe, the ball sat up for him 18 yards and his left footed volley forced Tyler McCarthy into action, the Oaks shot stopper parrying the ball away from danger. Sevenoaks have former Manchester United youngster, Josh Bohui and he almost opened the deadlock. He fired a dipping effort from the edge of the area which Tommy Reid made a real mess of with the conditions playing a real part, the ball squirmed through the GK and was heading for the back of the net but Josh Spinks just about managed to get back in the nick of time and wallop the ball away from goal. Just minutes later, Reid was called into action again when he spilled a long range effort but thankfully, a Hill defender got there ahead of a Sevenoaks attacker. The home side were really pressing for the opener, Freddie Parker was causing the back line all sorts of problems, his fiercely struck effort had to be tipped over the bar by the ever busy Reid. It had been all Sevenoaks up to now but they almost gifted us the opener. The Oaks were intent on playing out from the back but they lost it to Dan Perry on the edge of the box, Dan composed himself and fired an effort which whistled inches wide of McCarthy’s goal. That was a warning for the Oaks but they failed to heed it and the Hill made them pay. It was the first real time that Hill had managed to get a sustained spell of possession, the ball was spread outside to Max Miller who beat his man and delivered a deep looping cross which went over everyone’s head apart from Martyn Box who came flying in at the back post to nod home his 4th of the season. What’s that old saying? You are at your most vulnerable when you have just scored? Yeah. Don’t we know it. Straight from kick off, the Oaks got the ball deep in our half and after neat play around the box, Brad Wilson set up Fumnaya Shomotun who curled a delicious equaliser into the top corner. That was naturally a bad time to concede and Sevenoaks carried on the momentum, Freddie Parker again causing problems for our back line with his strength, his next attempt flew over Tommy Reid’s crossbar but he was proving a real handful. The Hill had weathered this mini Sevenoaks storm and were seeing more of the ball as the half drew to a close, Connor Tighe once again found himself in space 18 yards out but he curled his next effort just over the bar.

HT: 1-1.

Hill started the second half strongly and missed a couple of glorious opportunities to take the lead in the 53rd minute. Connor Tighe tried his luck from 25 yards out and in the wet conditions, the ball skidded awkwardly for McCarthy, the GK managed to keep the ball out but it fell straight to Dan Perry who could on rattle the crossbar. Martyn Box then tried to head home the rebound but it was inadvertently blocked by Perry before Max Miller had his attempt blocked. After that flurry of chances, the Hill almost gifted the Oaks a second goal. Josh Spinks lost the ball to Josh Bohui who was bearing down on goal but thankfully Tommy Reid came up clutch and thwarted the ex Man Utd man. As the game entered the final 30 minutes, both sides were looking for a winner. Josh Spinks produced a cracking cross which was on the head of Max Miller but he couldn’t beat Tyler McCarthy with it. Hill were starting to get some real joy on the counter attack as the match neared it’s conclusion, Kieran Rowe won the ball back and slipped in Martyn Box, he waited for the overlapping run of Dan Cadman who’s cross was almost diverted into his own goal by Matt Weaire but it was sliced wide. There is always one more chance and it fell to Hill. Substitute Charlie Kelly got the ball and drove forwards, he got to the edge of the area before unleashing and it took a brilliant one handed stop from Tyler McCarthy to tip it over and thwart a massive Hillians win.

FT: 1-1.

Hill had chances and played very well but a draw was probably a fair result but a result that both can be happy with. Midweek away points are valuable.

Next up for the Hillians we welcome high flying Ramsgate to the More Than Tyres Stadium on Saturday afternoon.