Gresford Athletic 1-1 Holywell Town

The game started well for both teams, with the sides looking to take an early advantage. The home side pressed forward and with 12 minutes on the clock, an in swinging corner saw Joe Culshaw get a touch on the ball and Tyler French managed to get a touch on the ball and tip the ball onto the cross bar before the ball was cleared to safety.
The Wellmen absorbed the pressure that Gresford put them under, and then it was Town’s turn to put pressure on Gresford as we looked to take the lead. Town had a couple of chances with Damian Ketley and debutant Jason Renshaw both having good efforts saved, before Gresford cleared the ball off the line from Mark Winslade's effort from a corner.
Despite the pressure, Town were unable to convert any of the chances and the sides went in at the break at 0-0. The second half got underway and again saw the Wellmen create chances, Steve Lewis Free Kick going over the bar then a Lewis header was saved well by Ben Jones in the Gresford goal. The home side also had a couple of chances, the best one falling to Lewis George, who ran towards French’s goal but his shot hit the side netting.
The breakthrough came in the 79th minute, Will Roberts handled the ball in the area and the referee pointed to the penalty spot, and Steve Lewis stepped up to fire the Wellmen into a deserved lead. (See Picture)
Gresford then put the Wellmen under pressure as they went looking for the equaliser, and they were dealt a blow in the 85th minute as Jordan MacCarter was shown a second yellow card and was sent off the field of play. The Wellmen held firm before in injury time, Jason Renshaw, unluckily, handled the ball unintentionally from a Gresford shot and the referee gave the free kick on the edge of the area. Simon Smith stepped up and his free kick flew into the top corner giving French no chance and the scores were level.
The referee blew for full time soon after and the points were shared.