Spurs lifted by late penalty

Mar 23 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

HOLYHEAD Hotspur’s quest for honours in the Cymru Alliance took them up to third place, after they snatched a crunch 2-1 win over top flight rivals Bala Town in a dramatic finale.

Teenager Marc Evans kept his cool to convert a 94th-minute penalty, awarded for a handling offence by Bala’s Llion Roberts, as Spurs nudged behind the league’s leading duo, Prestatyn Town and Llandudno Town.

Evans had fired Holyhead in front on 57 minutes but Bala’s Gethin Lloyd equalised on 65 – and the hosts had to cope for an hour with 10 men, following Lee Dixon’s dismissal.

Glantraeth had their own doubles specialist in Gareth Wyn Roberts, when they beat Gap Queen’s Park 2-0, the goals after 76 and 84 minutes coming from shots just outside and just inside the box.

Tim Nunnerley also bagged a brace towards Guilsfield’s 4-1 home result against Llanfairpwll, the regular marksman finding the target after 60 and 69 minutes, followed by Rob Cookson on 72 and Neil Price on 82.

Lex, continuing their relegation fight, earned vital points in a 4-2 show against fellow strugglers Gresford Athletic, piling up second- half goals from Gary Penlington (two, including a penalty), Joey Garner and Mark Williams.

Runaway leaders Prestatyn Town are just one win away from clinching the title and qualifying for Welsh Premier League status next season despite being held to a goalless draw at home by Mynydd Isa. The nervy seasiders weren’t at their best but should have won when Jon Fisher-Cooke was left with a fine chance midway through the second half.

Flint Town and Buckley both had a player sent off when fighting broke out in their derby clash which finished 2-2. Jamie Tinsley and Buckley’s Ian Dunne were red-carded early in the second half. Flint led through a Sean Beck header but Steve Hughes fired a penalty high over the Buckley bar before Andy Neal put Buckley level by the break. Simon Holloway put Buckley in front but with two minutes to go Beck spared fancied Flint’s blushes.

Denbigh Town completed a derby double with a 3-0 win at Llandyrnog United. Mark Orme scored in the first minute and added a second five minutes into the second half. Matthew Gatfield blasted a cracker from 25 yards to complete Denbigh’s tally in the last minute and shot-shy Llandyrnog could have no complaints.