MATCH OF THE DAY – NORTH EAST WALES LEAGUE: Saltney Town and Rhostyllen share points

NORTH EAST WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Saltney Town 1 (Alfie Harrington 45)
Rhostyllen 1 (Samuel Chesters 8)

REPORT AND PICTURES: SHAUN BEST

Ten-man Saltney Town battled back to secure a share of the spoils at home against Rhostyllen.

The mid-table meeting at the Dragon Steel Stadium was a pivotal one, with both sides still harbouring faint hopes of troubling the teams at the Division One summit.

Rhostyllen got off to a perfect start. Samuel Chesters was allowed the freedom of Sandy Lane to nod home a Jack Brindley free kick with only eight minutes on the clock.

The lead was almost doubled when Saltney captain Jack Roberts allowed a poor back pass to get caught up in the boggy pitch, forcing goalkeeper Connor Massey to sprint out and clear.

Chesters made a similar error to put Saltney’s Alfie Harrington through on goal, but visiting goalkeeper Kieron Feenan leapt high to palm clear an attempted lob.

Chesters made amends when his perfectly-timed tackle prevented Harrington having another clear run.

Saltney suffered a double blow when Keiye Williams limped off with a foot injury, then Jay Thelwell followed him to the changing rooms after being dismissed for two clumsy fouls.

Despite the setback, the Bordermen went into the break level. A Harrington half volley from just outside the 18 yard box squirmed underneath Feenan and into the net.

The ten men acquitted themselves well after the break and were afforded plenty of space, but a lack of quality with the final ball combined with the heavy state of the pitch proved to be telling.

Rhostyllen also left their shooting boots in the changing room. Kurt Isaac rolled wide from 12 yards, before Brindley saw an effort hit the crossbar and bounce clear. After Massey fumbled the ball inside a crowded box, Lewis Bickerton Cole swept over one final chance from close range for the visitors.

With games in hand still to play, the Villagers will know that they can’t afford any more slip ups if they want to get back into the promotion picture.

Attendance: 30 (headcount)