Welsh National League: Wellmen still unbeaten, Brymbo go nap
Ten-man Holywell Town snatched a 1-1 draw at FC Queen’s Park which returned the Wellmen back to the Welsh National League Premier Division summit on goal difference.
The result also maintained Johnny Haseldin’s side’s season-long unbeaten record in the league, which now stands at 15 matches.
Park enjoyed the ideal start when in the first minute Rhys Hughes chased down a back pass to the keeper.
Mike Platt’s attempted clearance only ricocheted off the chasing striker towards the goal and Hughes was able to prod home.
The Park top-scorer Barry Torrence soon found himself through on goal, only for Platt to save well.
Stand-in keeper Darren Williams, a late call-up, proved his worth with a spectacular save to deny Mike Walsh an equaliser.
As the half was drawing to a close, the Park were awarded a free kick for a challenge on Torrence only for the referee to overturn it and book the home player.
From here, Holywell produced a fine move which ended in the equaliser.
Danny Dobbins beat a couple of players, reached the byline and fed the ball low across to Jake Cooke, who controlled well and placed into the bottom corner to level the scores.
The last action of the half saw Holywell’s Tony Roebuck given his marching orders for a second yellow card.
With the wind at their backs in the second period, the Wellmen performed well with 10 men, spending a lot of time in the home team’s half.
Alec Williams found himself in space and his attempted lob over the keeper, who was off his line, saw the ball hang in the air and Darren Williams gathered.
Park’s best chance of the half fell to Alan Huxley, who found himself in front of goal, but dragged his effort wide.
Late on, a free kick from Luke Edwards was brilliantly saved by Williams.
A good crowd of 221 gathered at The Dunks.
Man of the match for the Park went to keeper Williams for his late introduction and two heroic saves.
Holywell manager Johnny Haseldin said: “It was always going to be tough the way we started the game and having a player sent off at the toughest away ground in the league. The players worked together as a team second half. Resilience, fitness levels and team spirit in this squad were there for all to see today.”
Rest of the Premier
Andy Noonan notched a hat-trick as Brymbo swept aside Plas Madoc 5-0 at The Crick.
There were also debut goals for the experienced Carl Lamb, whose former clubs include Chesterfield and The New Saints, and Liam Crisp, who had a fine all-round game as well as getting one in the bag.
Goals from Lloyd Ellams and Dom Doherty sealed Penycae a 2-0 result at Rhos Aelwyd, while Saltney Town beat Castell Alan Colts by the same score, Ben Evans and Paul Johnson with the second-half goals.
All other scheduled games were postponed.