STOCKPORT GEORGIANS 1, STAFFORD TOWN 1
North West Counties Football League, first division south leaders Stafford Town scored a last-gasp equaliser at Stockport Georgians to retain top spot.
It looked as though Georgians, battling to remain clear of the relegation places, were going to inflict only a third league loss on the Staffordshire side when they took a 72nd minute lead through Oliver McFadyen.
But their hopes of collecting maximum point were dashed when Taylor Draper scored a 90th minute equaliser.
And there were contrasting emotions from the rival managers.
“I would probably have taken a point beforehand, but it was disappointing to come so close to winning,” explained Georgians’ manager Andrew Jenkins who was delighted with the way his side went toe-to-toe with the leaders.
He added they have the measure of Town this season having also taken them to a penalty shootout, which they lost, in the Edward Case Cup.
Town manager Adam Wall admitted his side was below par, saying: “We were not good but found a way not to get beaten.
“Stockport had a game plan and stopped us playing, but we nicked a point which we probably didn’t deserve.”
Wall added that Georgians, like most other opponents, targeted 27-goal top scorer Matthew Hearsey who had played in European football with League of Wales side Newtown.
Hearsey, (33), who is enjoying a remarkable season and has been named first division south player of the month for three successive months, was on the end of some robust challenges to put it politely.
It was an opening half of few clear-cut chances, though Georgians’ keeper Morgan Piper pulled off two excellent saves to keep out Hearsey’s header and a shot from Patryk Mazurkiewicz.
Visiting keeper Adam Jenkins also made a super stop in the dying moments of the half to deny Aiden Dwyer as the home side finished with a flurry.
It was similarly tight in the second period until Georgians made the important breakthrough in the 72nd minute.
A free kick was flicked on and McFadyen, a former Stockport County academy player, stole in at the far post to find the net with a diving header.
It looked like being the matchwinner until Town’s later leveller.
Josh Wilson’s inswinging corner struck the crossbar and ricocheted to centre back Draper whose close-range shot found the net with the aid of a huge deflection.
Draper was credited with the goal but, had the NWCFL had a dubious goals panel, there is every chance it would have been awarded to a home player.
Town, suddenly scenting a chance to win the game, piled forward and went agonisingly close in the fifth of six added minutes when a pile-driver free kick from substitute Mitchell Glover was brilliantly turned over the bar by Piper.