Uplyme 1sts made it four pts from six with an excellent 2-2 draw away to strong divisional leaders St Thomas.

The home team, with 13 wins already, were very determined to make up for last season's result, where Uplyme inflicted their only defeat in the games they played.

Their route one tactics and physical pressure were matched by dogged defence and excellence counter-attacking from Uplyme through the pace and trickery of Joe Urquhart. Even the verbal threats that came his way from the defender didn't deter him, and he had a great chance to snatch the lead but just fumbled the shot.

At the other end, the long ball over the top caused a mix-up between James Whetlor and keeper Todd Lowe to let St Thomas go ahead.

Instead of business-as-usual for them, however, Uplyme hit back twice through a 25- yard from James Beddows and Joe Urquhart's great individual run to take the lead.

Mid-way through the half, James Souter had to be carried off, which was a huge blow to the solid midfield that Uplyme had been presenting until then.

Leading at half time, the teamtalk from the home team was audible and heated, and that's how they started the second half.

Uplyme, however, rode the storm of tackles and verbal pressure and had more good chances to go further ahead, with Mikey Sayers striking the crossbar with a dipping volley and a header narrowly shaving the post with the keeper all ends up.

It wasn't until the 85th min, after a hopeful punt upfield had coughed up a corner, that St Thomas equalised when the ball was bundled over the line.

There was a mix of satisfaction and disappointment at the end, but every player came off proud of the team display. It was Joe Urquhart's final game before moving away for work reasons, and he will be a huge loss to the club, as a player and a personality.

Big credit to Oli Pearse, Matt Rowe and Whetlor who came in from our Reserves squad. It was a great team atmosphere.