Football: Gap Connah’s Quay end Buckley Town’s title hopes

Mar 22 2012 by Alec Doyle, Flintshire Chronicle

GAP Connah’s Quay could put a huge dent in Rhyl’s Alliance title hopes this Saturday after ending Buckley’s championship dream.

The Bucks’ title quest is over after leaders Nomads robbed them of all three points with a 98th-minute derby equaliser last Saturday.

Gareth Thomas’ side led at Globe Way thanks to a goal on the hour mark when Carl Lamb smashed a free-kick past Nomads keeper John Rushton.

The Bucks could smell blood and a revival of their title hopes but Quay kept throwing bodies forward only for home keeper Khalid Al Samaarie to make a couple of outstanding saves.

With time running out and the referee declaring three added minutes, Buckley defenders put their bodies on the line to defend their slender lead.

But inexplicably, in the 98th minute of the game, Nomads player-boss Mark McGregor caught out the Bucks defence and fired home to spark wild celebrations with the final kick of the game.

Thomas said: “We can complain as much as we want about how long was added on but we switched off at the end and it’s cost us big time.

“The performance from the lads was superb. The players can count themselves unlucky not to have got the three points.

“Fair play to the Quay, they kept going as they have done on numerous occasions right to the end and that’s why they'll probably win the league.

“But the stoppage time was a joke as I don’t recall the physios going on and there were only five subs in the second half.”

Nomads face Rhyl at the Deeside Stadium this weekend (2.30pm) with victory giving them a huge advantage in the title race over the Lilywhites.

Nomads lead by seven points with three games remaining.

Rhyl have two games in hand but if Nomads win all their games the Lilywhites cannot catch them, making Saturday a vital game.

The Bucks travel to basement side Rhos Aelwyd still pushing for second place.

FLINT TOWN UNITED held Rhyl to a 1-1 draw at Cae-y-Castell.

The Silkmen fell behind late in the first half when Paul Mooney gave Rhyl the lead.

But an assembled crowd of 400 fans saw Jon Rush level the scores in the 55th minute and that was how the game ended.

Flint travel to Penrhyncoch on Saturday as they look to cement their place in the top six.