Bitton 3

Street 3

After a recent run of disappointing results, Street bounced back in emphatic fashion when they earned a 3-3 draw at Bitton on Saturday.

The reigning Western League Champions had come from 2-0 down to take a 3-2 lead, but they were left hanging on for a point after Street had forced a late equaliser.

Street manager Dave Pople had reshuffled his pack prior to the kick-off by moving Ben Amghar into a midfield role and bringing in Bradley Middleton as Amghar's replacement at the heart of the defence.

Despite Middleton's lack of fitness, the central defender proved that he will have a major input from now on, while Amghar added much-needed steel to the midfield.

Street looked marginally the better side in the opening exchanges and, despite their recent setbacks, the confidence in the side did not look to be affected.

The Cobblers took an early lead when Ben Nugent hammered the ball home from close range. It was a goal Street desperately needed and they continued to build on their early strike as they doubled their advantage on 38 minutes.

Amghar slotted the ball out wide to Francis Rolli, who had replaced the unwell James Bisgrove. Rolli, who can be frustrating at times, once again showed his undoubted ability with a goal of the highest quality.

The striker cut inside a defender with nonchalant ease and then unleashed a superb strike that rocketed into the far corner of the Bitton net.

Street, however, were undone by two goals in the space of five minutes early in the second half. The first goal looked to be contentious as Mark Cherry appeared to be several yards offside from a Matt Tilley free-kick, and then Adam Sims headed the equaliser, this after Lewis Lambert looked to have been trampled on as he attempted to clear the ball after it came back off the crossbar.

Bitton, who for the most part had played second-fiddle to Street, took the lead for the first time when Jamie Clarke pounced to score, but it was Street who forced a deserved equaliser late in the game with another fine goal.

Amghar, who had been outstanding in midfield, fed Rolli out wide and his cross was expertly slotted home by Dave Pearse. This was a heartening performance from Street, but manager Dave Pople was disappointed that his side failed to take all three points.

Pople said after the game: "It was a marked improvement, especially as we played the better football for the most part.

"I was disappointed that we gave away three goals once again, although the first one looked yards offside. We did at least get the right reaction from the players and Ben Amghar gave us more of a presence in midfield.

"We looked comfortable for the most part and on the balance of play we deserved to win."