Last-minute equaliser dents hosts’ dreams
THORNABY
WEST ALLOTMENT CELTIC
2 2
TWO-GOAL hero Callum Larmouth delivered a further dent to Thornaby’s fading title hopes with an 89th-minute leveller for West Allotment Celtic.
The hosts are now 11 points behind leaders Consett and nine behind North Shields as their recent home struggles came back to haunt them again.
Thornaby have now dropped points on their own patch in their last four league games, a run which has compounded their frustrations as they remain unable to reel in the top two.
Larmouth’s two goals came either side of efforts from Reece Kenney and Luke Hogan in a game where both sides had opportunities to claim all three points.
The visitors certainly made life uneasy for Thornaby in the early stages of the match and deservingly took the lead on 19 minutes.
Larmouth fired a free-kick around the wall and past home goalkeeper Joshua Mazfari into the bottom corner.
Thornaby almost pulled themselves level on the stroke of half-time as the always dangerous Elliot Beddow prodded the ball just wide after an excellent corner delivery.
Thornaby manager Craig Haley must have pulled out the hair dryer at the break as his side looked revitalised and much more threatening in attack in the second period.
On 58 minutes, Thornaby managed to catch Allotment out down the left-hand side and exploited the visitors on the counter-attack.
Kenney scored an exquisite equaliser for the hosts as the midfielder chipped the ball over the onrushing Finn Hodgson with a delicate finish.
Beddow then came close to firing Thornaby into the lead after the hour mark. The livewire dribbled the ball past Jack Errington before cutting inside onto his right foot, however, the effort on goal was a comfortable save for Hodgson.
Thornaby took the lead for the first time after 82 minutes as left-back Hogan bombed forward and neatly slotted the ball into the back of the net off the post.
The Blues looked like they were going to secure a wellneeded victory, only for West Allotment to spoil the party in the 89th minute.
A stunning volley outside the box from Larmouth broke Thornaby hearts as the game concluded with a 2-2 draw.