Mens · Premier Division
Raikes levels in stoppage time as Whitmore shines in 2‑2 draw with Ferndale Rovers
2‑2Playwell United vs Ferndale Rovers· 27 Jun 2026· Home
Playwell United drew 2-2 at home with Ferndale Rovers in the Premier Division on Saturday, with Jordan Raikes volleying home in the 90th minute to level after the visitors had gone back in front. A good crowd of around 200 turned out for the opening game of the season at Mill Lane Stadium.
Behind inside three minutes
Ferndale Rovers made the brighter start and were ahead from the penalty spot on three minutes, leaving Playwell United with an early deficit to overturn.
The response was not long in coming. Dean Ashworth headed home from close range on 11 minutes, with Karl Neville providing the assist, to bring the lads level at 1-1. That was how it stayed at half-time.
Ferndale go ahead again
Ferndale Rovers regained the lead on 80 minutes through a set-piece goal, making it 1-2 with ten minutes left.
On 74 minutes, Jamie Telford had come on in midfield for Ethan Pullen following an injury, and the lads kept working through the final stages.
Three yellow cards were collected across the match, two for Playwell United across both halves and one for Ferndale Rovers in the second half, and keeping a level head mattered in those closing stages.
Raikes finds the corner
With the match in its final minute, Playwell United drew level. Sam Whitmore provided the assist and Raikes met it with a volley into the bottom left-hand corner to make it 2-2. It was the reward for a side that had kept going after falling behind twice.
Tom Calloway returned from injury at the back, which was a welcome sight for the squad.
Whitmore takes the award
Sam Whitmore was named Player of the Match. The winger made a selfless contribution throughout, tracking back to pick up their wingback, staying available off the ball in midfield, and providing the assist for the equaliser.
Proud of the character shown
Manager Shaun Bennet said: “I'm proud of the lads for the way they kept chasing it, especially after going behind twice. We showed real composure each time we had to reset, and the response after conceding first was one of the things I'll take from today. There are things to learn from this match, and we'll look at them honestly, but finishing level at 2-2 after the position we were in late on tells you something about the group. Sam's assist for the equaliser summed up the effort he put in all afternoon, and that willingness to keep going right to the end is something we can build on.”
On the road to Ashton
The lads travel to Ashton United at Ashton Park Lane next Saturday, 11 July 2026, with a 2:00 PM kick-off. After showing they can come back from behind, it would be great to have you making the trip to Ashton Park Lane to see what they can do on the road.
Thank you, Pennine Plumbing
Your continued support as our kit sponsor makes a real difference to everyone at Playwell United. You help with reliable plumbing help when your clients need it most.
Pennine Plumbing
www.pennineplumbing.co.uk
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