10-man Hotspur are stunned after hosts strike twice late on
TWO late goals from hosts Gresford Athletic meant 10-man Holyhead Hotspur had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Clappers Lane last Saturday.
A point at the high-riding Colliers before the game would no doubt have been taken by Hotspur managers Campbell Harrison and Darren Garmey.
However, such was the way the game panned out that it felt more like a defeat than a well-earned share of the spoils.
Holyhead had taken the lead after 10 minutes through Dewi Thomas only for captain Mike Kelly to be given a harsh straight red on 21 for an overzealous tackle which to be fair put striker Owen Roberts out of the game.
Despite the one-man disadvantage Thomas increased Hotspur’s lead just before half time with a second from the penalty spot.
The second half was almost oneway traffic on Hotspur’s goal, but man of the match keeper Paul Pritchard excelled with some brilliant stops aided by a superbly resolute defence which held out until seven minutes from the end, when Jack Chaloner reduced the arrears and in the 90th notched his second to give his side a point and break Hotspur hearts.
The Hotspur managers will have been delighted with the total commitment of the players who battled manfully with 10 men for most of the game and only just failed to hold on for a win.
This coming Saturday sees Hotspur host mid-Wales side Penrhyncoch in their final home Huws Gray Alliance fixture of the season (2.30pm) with just one league game to fulfill at Caersws on April 15.
In between on April 8, Caernarfon Town come calling to the New Stadium for a Huws Gray Cup semi-final.
Last Saturday saw third-place Gresford first to show and on from a cross on the right Tom Freeman’s header brought out a fine save to his left by Pritchard.
However, on 10 Jack Griffiths on the right broke free into the box, keeper Mike Platt was out quick to block and it came back to Griffiths whose second effort was cleared only to the lurking Dewi Thomas who first time rifled high into the net.
Hotspur continued to look lively and Thomas put Mel McGinness through but his strike from an angle drifted wide of the goal.
After 21 minutes Gresford striker Roberts endured a heavy tackle from Kelly who was shown red.
Hotspur were now up against it, but on 31 minutes Pritchard saved low down from Chaloner while Joe Newton shot wide soon after.
The visitors were still coping well despite their reduction in numbers and were delighted to go two-up on 44 minutes and the goal owed much to Dean Garmey, who found Gavin Sharpe on the left, took a return pass and set up Thomas inside the area who was fouled. Thomas himself took the spot kick and found the corner of the net.
Seven minutes into the second period, the impressive Freeman on the left broke at pace but his fierce attempt saw Pritchard make a fine save with his legs.
The same player again broke free but Pritchard made a great stop at his near post, while the keeper also concocted a superb save to deny Chaloner at point blank range after an hour.
In the 63rd minute a goal looked certain, but Keiron Hilditch somehow cleared after the ball had hit the underside of the bar.
A rare sortie at the other end saw Thomas make Platt bring off a good save to his left.
Pritchard was in an inspired mood saving again from Chaloner. However, on 83 minutes the hosts reduced the arrears with a cross from Josh Griffiths was headed home by Chaloner.
The home team continued to press and on the 90 Max Peate passed to Chaloner, who stabbed home.