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Huws Gray-Fitlock Cymru Alliance
Gresford Athletic Vs. Buckley Town
(Sponsor Mark Perry)
Friday 20th. August 2004

Gresford had Matt Williams replacing the injured Steve Shaughnessy and new signings Roy Cardus and Paul Blunt on the substitute's bench.

From the start Buckley took the game to Gresford but it took them twelve minutes to have a serious goal attempt when they hit the bar with a header. Andy Hughes then almost presented Buckley with the opening goal when he lost possession on the edge of the penalty box but the Buckley strikers shot was well off target. Gresford weathered the storm and gradually got into the game, their first chance falling to Danny Purdie after a good cross by Andy Hughes but his header did not trouble the Buckley keeper. Gresford were now playing some neat and tidy football and it was against the run of play that Buckley opened the scoring. Lee Dagger beating the offside trap to score with a neat chip passed the advancing Gareth Rowland that went in off the bar.

Half Time: Gresford Athletic 0 Buckley Town 1

Gresford introduced Roy Cardus at the start of the second half replacing the injured Wyn Jones. This resulted in a change of formation as they went for broke by playing three up front. But it was Buckley who created the early second half chances; Gareth Rowland in the home goal saving twice from Graham Randles with his legs before the same player scored twice in five minutes after the Gresford midfield had lost the ball. Gresford to their credit continued to press forward and were rewarded in the seventy third minute when Jon Ratcliffe headed home a Phil Jones corner to reduce the deficit. Buckley then had Jimmy Harrison sent off for retaliation after Roy Cardus had fouled him in the Buckley penalty area. Gresford were now pushing men forward looking for a second goal, the nearest they came was from another corner but Kevin Todd could only head straight at the keeper from ten yards. Rowland in the home goal then made another double save from Randles. With time running out another Phil Jones corner was headed wide by substitute Paul Blunt and a free kick by Danny Purdie was deflected wide by the Buckley defence.

Final score: Gresford Athletic 1 Buckley Town 3

TEAM: 1. Gareth Rowland (8) 2. Kevin Todd (9) 3. Phil Jones (7) 4. Mike Gronnow (7) 5. Matt Williams (8) 6. Wyn Jones (5) 7. Andy Hughes (6) 8. Jon Ratcliffe(7) 9. Danny Purdie (6) 10. Shaun Williams(6) 11. Carl Andrews (6) Subs, 12. Roy Cardus (6) (for Wyn Jones) 14. Daryll Hilson (7) (for Andy Hughes) 15. Paul Blunt(7) for Carl Andrews)

MOM KEVIN TODD