Today saw us welcome Rhostyllen to the riverside for a league fixture.With heavy rain again on the Thurs and Fri, the ground staff worked wonders on getting the pitch ready and playable for the game. We made a couple of changes with manager
Ian Andrews coming in at centre back and
Rhys Powell up front. We started the game brightly and looked comfortable in possession and looking to play out from the back. Rhostyllen were looking to catch us on the break with 2 quick wingers but our defence held firm and kept them out. Some neat play by
Alex Rowlands down the left released
Austin Owen who's pace got him in behind the Rhostyllen defence only to be brought down by the Centre back just outside the box. The referee gave a free kick and let the defender off with a yellow card, he was last man and we thought should have been sent off. The free kick was taken by
Josh Millington and his low shot forced a save from the keeper. On 26 minutes we took the lead through a
Josh Millington penalty after
Austin Owen had been brought down by the keeper. Within 4 minutes Rhostyllen were level when the winger crossed in for the oncoming midfielder who slotted past
Matt Griffiths in goal for 1-1. With half time approaching we took the lead again through
Austin Owen after some great play by
Mike parry who beat 2 defenders and crossed for Austin to tap home. Ht 2-1. The 2nd half began with us being put under pressure by Rhostyllen, but we held firm. The half was passing by with both teams defending well and just a couple of chances for both teams, on 86 minutes Rhostyllen equalised when some sloppy play give Rhostyllen a 3 v 2 and they punished us by scoring for 2-2. This goal really deflated the players,but we rolled our sleeves up and got back at Rhostyllen with
Austin Owen firing just wide of the goal. In the 92nd minute
Josh Millington played
Austin Owen through on goal, he took the ball in his stride and fired it low into the bottom corner for 3-2. We held on for another 4 minutes putting our bodies on the line and defended for our lives. The final whistle went and a sense of relief all round as we got the 3 points we just about deserved. A great performance from all involved today,the lads gave everything and we're out of energy at the final whistle, the win now puts us just 2 points behind fc nomads with 8 games to go,the belief is there from the players,we just need to perform like that every game.
Austin Owen got 2 vital goals today and was a deserved man of the match. We now will go to mold next week high on confidence and look to get a result.
