Holywell Town and Buckley share the honours in local derby which almost produced late winner

Holywell Town 1 (Littler 40)
Buckley Town 1 (Davies 25)
Cymru Alliance – March 30, 2016

Honours ended even in this local derby at Halkyn Road five years ago today.

Both sides had early chances and on 20 minutes, Wellmen keeper Mike Platt was forced into a good save from Adam Pugh.

A few minutes later though, the visitors took the lead; A good cross in from the right was only partially cleared and the ball fell to Buckley’s Marcus Davies, who fired past Platt.

Town nearly responded with a quick equaliser. Graeme Williams, who had a great game, hit a snapshot just wide after a slick one-two with Phil Lloyd.

Ross Ankers went close in similar fashion not long after.

Ben Jones in the Buckley goal then denied Paul Williams and Connor Littler, the latter stop a great one-handed effort.

With a few minutes left of the half, Holywell got a deserved leveller.

A great ball through by Ankers released Littler, who despite being under pressure by the defence hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Half-time: Holywell 1 Buckley 1

The second half started in the same way as the first with both sides having chances and looking to get the all-important second goal.

Graeme Williams and Lloyd have two shots apiece for the hosts which did not miss by much.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Tony Roebuck fed a great ball through to Paul D Williams, whose superb shot was tipped over the bar by Jones.

Holywell very nearly got a late winner on 86 minutes. A free kick over by Lee Emberton from the left was only partially cleared by the Buckley back-line and the ball fell to sub Ryan Davies, whose fierce shot came back out off the post.

Paul D Williams again was thwarted by another good Jones save.

Deep into stoppage time, Holywell were awarded an indirect free kick in the Buckley penalty area as the referee adjudged Ben Jones to have taken to many steps before clearing the ball. Town’s shot was blocked and the ball fell to Ankers who lashed over the top.

Buckley could have nicked it at the death.

Adam Eden ran virtually the length of the pitch, and with the Holywell players sprinting back, with no team mates with him, the Bucks wineger shot across face of goal.

Many thanks to Steve Roberts of Holywell for report