Spurs let two-goal lead slip
HOLYHEAD PEGGED BACK BY QUEENS PARK
HOLYHEAD Hotspur will have felt it was two points dropped after letting a two-goal lead slip in an entertaining 2-2 draw with FC Queens Park in the Huws Gray Alliance, writes Gareth Davies.
Following their excellent showing against Porthmadog last week it was a case of after the Lord Mayor’s Show at Stansty Park as Campbell Harrison’s men were pegged back from 2-0 in the second half – and by the end could have left Wrexham with nothing.
Hotspur will need to get back on track this coming Saturday when they host Gresford Athletic (2.30pm), while they face Caernarfon Town in the next round of the Nathanial MG Cup the following Tuesday, October 3 (7.30pm).
Against Queens Park, Hotspur had a number of influencial players missing, but Harrison and assistant Darren Garmey would not use that as an excuse for not being able to keep up the pressure at the top of the division, as the hosts themselves were depleted.
John Littlemore put Hotspur into an early lead which remained until half-time and increased 10 minutes into the second half with a header from Reece Brown.
However, Queens Park, who had not picked up a point in their previous five matches, rallied to reduce the arrears via a deflected free-kick from Mike Latham four minutes later, and drew level on 64 from a headed goal by Barry Torrence direct from a long throw-in.
The Holy Islanders spurned a number of chances after that but lacked a cutting edge and could well have been punished further.
After a nip-and-tuck start, the visitors took the lead on 11 min- utes, Littlemore embarking on a mazy run from deep before trying his luck with a speculative effort from 20 yards that deceived home keeper Joel Thompson, the ball bouncing wickedly just in front and looping into the net. Shortly afterwards Thompson made a good stop from Tom Clarke. The hosts had a lot of possession without penetration as Hotspur defended solidly. Corey Short-Smart always looked threatening on the left with crosses and long throws, but Paul Pritchard was comfortable with all that came his way. The second half started briskly with the hosts pushing forward, and Smart on the left blazed wildly over on 47 minutes, while Pritchard made a good stop on 52 from the same player.
And on 55 minutes the visitors increased their lead as Chris Jones found Dan McGinness on the right and his delightful cross was deflected for a corner.
From the well-directed flag kick on the left by Kenleigh Owen, Reece Brown rose above everyone to head home.
At this stage Hotspur looked good for all three points but it seemed to kick-start the home side into action, and just before the hour mark Mike Latham’s free kick 15 yards out cannoned off a Hotspur defender and past a hapless Pritchard.
Five minutes later they were on level terms as a long throw on the left reached the goalmouth, and Barry Torrence reacted quickest to glance his header to the far corner.
It was game on now, and on 68 Chris Jones’ looping header hit the top of the bar, while on 76 it FC Queens Park’s turn to test the framework through Torrence.
Chris Jones and Gavin Sharpe should have done better with great opportunities as both sides went for the jugular and on 86 minutes the hosts wasted a glorious opportunity to win it, when Helder Ramos put his shot wide.
Littlemore came close to scoring, as did Chris Jones in the latter few minutes, but Hotspur had to settle for a point.