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Huws Gray-Fitlock Cymru Alliance
Gresford Athletic Vs. Guilsfield
(Match Sponsor John Sparks)
Saturday 28th. August

Gresford recalled Gareth Rowland, Kevin Todd and Carl Andrews to the starting line up. Dave Lloyd came for his first start of the season and Simon Holloway made his home debut.

Guilsfield after a high scoring away win in their last match started the brighter and could have gone ahead in the fifth minute when their centre forward headed a corner over the bar. Poor defending by Gresford then resulted in Gareth Rowland having to make his first save of the evening. Rowland needed to be at his best five minutes later with flying save to turn the ball around the post. Gresford could and should have taken the lead in their first serious attack, the overlapping Hugh Jones playing a great ball into the Guilsfield penalty area that Phil Jones just failed to connect with at the far post. Gresford conceded an unfortunate goal on twenty two minutes, a corner from the left hitting Gresford defender Hugh Jones and bouncing into the net. This prompted Gresford to push forward and a drive from twenty yards from Danny Purdie was turned over the bar by an alert Guilsfield goalkeeper. A Shaun Williams cross was then headed over the bar as Gresford pushed for a deserved equaliser. Guilsfield then counter attacked a mistake in the Gresford defence left a Guilsfield forward one on one with Rowland, the later doing well to block the shot. Gresford equalized on thirty two minutes, the in form Phil Jones picking up a loose ball thirty yards from goal and firing in an unstoppable dipping shot. Simon Holloway then had a shot saved as Gresford looked to go ahead. On the stroke of half time Guilsfield hit the post twice in a goalmouth scramble and Gresford were thankful to hear the half time whistle.

Half time: Gresford Athletic 1 Guilsfield 1

Within five minutes of the restart Gresford went ahead with another superb goal, Shaun Williams firing home from twenty five yards for his first goal in adult football. Guilsfield could have equalized within five minutes but a great ball into the six yard box failed to find anybody. They did equalize in the fifty eighth minute after Gresford gave away the ball. Danny Purdie then made a great run down the right flank only to see his cross evade everybody. Andy Hughes then made a great run but his shot lacked power and was saved by the Guilsfield keeper. Both sides were looking for the all important goal and it was Gresford who came closest when Phil Jones and Dave Lloyd combined only to see Andy Hughes shot deflected for a corner. Alan Williams then played a great ball into substitute Paul Brunt's path but he could get no power behind his shot and it was easily cleared. In the last minute Guilsfield had the best chance to score the winner but one of the strikers fired over from six yards when a goal looked certain.

A well deserved first point of the season for Gresford whose team battled from start to finish. More performances like this one will see them put their poor start to the season behind them


FINAL SCORE: GRESFORD ATHLETIC 2 GUILSFIELD 2


TEAM: 1. Gareth Rowland (8) 2. Hugh Jones (8) 3. Dave Lloyd (7) 4. Richard Carr (7) 5. Kevin Todd (7) 6. Alan Williams (7) 7. Carl Andrews (7) 8. Simon Holloway (7) 9. Danny Purdie (8) 10. Phil Jones (9) 11. Shaun Williams (7) Subs: 12. Paul Brunt (for Simon Holloway ) 14. Andy Hughes (for Richard Carr) 15. Rob Jones

MOM. PHIL JONES