The Rocks took the opportunity of fielding a number of young trialists while resting key players such as Michael Birmingham and Jason Prior on a bone hard pitch at Dover Road.
quickly showed their credentials and proved to be a strong and determined side who were capable of breaking out of defence and troubling the Rocks' rearguard.
Bognor's first chance came as early as the tenth minute when a determined run down the right by Phil Turner produced a shot which was turned around the post for the first corner. This produced an opportunity for Mickey Demetriou, whose excellent header was well saved by the home keeper.
Craig Stoner had to be alert and made several good saves in the first half as Moneyfields created chances with some excellent passing football.
The Rocks' midfield was finding it difficult to settle on the ball, and this resulted in a number of long balls which were comfortably dealt with by the home defence.
Bognor almost scored midway through the half. A strong Charlie Marshall shot from 20 yards troubled the keeper, following a tremendous run by young right back John Martanazzi, and moments later Phil Turner should have scored when clean through on the keeper.
The Rocks rued these misses when the home side side took the lead on the half-hour mark. An excellent five-man passing move ended with ex-Rock Warren Hunt clean through against Stoner, and the striker slid the ball home with great confidence.
Stoner saved well five minutes later as Hunt almost grabbed his second goal, and in the dying moments of the half Phil Turner had the chance to equalize from two yards, only to see the keeper somehow scramble the ball away.
Bognor deservedly equalised in the 56th minute with a well-worked goal. Following a mazy Demetriou run, the ball was laid back to Matt Whitehead on the left wing.
The young full-back looked up, and flighted a perfect ball into the box for Phil Turner to score the goal he had been threatening all evening, with a neat header over the advancing keeper.
Although the game lost its shape as a flurry of substitutions took effect, both sides still went all out for the win. Another excellent save by the impressive Stoner and a great run and shot by Martanazzi almost produced winners for either side.
In truth a draw was probably a fair result, and this game will have been a good test for the young Rocks squad.
The concern is that without Jason Prior and Luke Nightingale it is difficult to see where the goals will come from, but Rocks supporters will be encouraged by the news that Luke Nightingale is expected to play in Saturday's home friendly against last season's Ryman League champions, Dartford (kick off 2pm).
Bognor:-- Stoner, Martanazzi, Whitehead, Snell, Bond, Axten, Turner, Wood, Marshall, Demetriou, Fraser. Subs: Crane, Rutherford, Franka, Sturgeon, Cacchia, Rayner.
Reproduced with thanks to the Sports Mail and the Observer.
www.thenews.co.uk and www.bognor.co.uk
