Match Report: Mold Alexandra vs Druids
Druids bounced back from last week’s defeat with an excellent, hard-fought display at Mold yesterday. A frantic game with plenty of goals, but Druids came out on top, winning 4-3.
The lads were looking to make things right after a poor result at Buckley Town the week before. The match kicked off at Alyn Park and the action got started right away. We were awarded a penalty five minutes in after a missed timed tackle by the Mold defender gave the referee no choice. Adam Stephens stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to put us 1-0 up! A perfect start for Druids! However minutes later, the home side responded with an outstanding overhead kick from Rhys Nash to make it 1-1. The drama wasn’t over as less than a minute later we retook the lead. A header on goal was partially stopped by the Mold keeper but he accidentally bundled it over the line during the save. An own goal from the keeper, but Druids deserving to retake the lead after an excellent start.
Somehow, the home side gave the perfect response and equalised again minutes later! A Mold forward was brought down in the box and the referee awarded the penalty. Danny Warren stepped up and slotted it passed Michael Jones in the Druids goal to make it 2-2. The fans in attendance definitely got their moneys worth after four goals in the opening fifteen minutes!
The match did settle for the remainder of the half as both sides shored up their defence and settled into the game. However just before the half, academy graduate Iwan Hardy, who was making his first start for the team, did brilliantly to put us ahead! A mix up at the back from Mold was pounced upon by Druids, Hardy just beat the offside trap and slotted it confidently into the net to make it 3-2!
An unbelievable first half of football, but another important 45 minutes on the way to maintain our lead!
The match restarted and both sides were putting on the pressure early to try and get the all important next goal. The Druids defence stayed solid with the organisation of Michael Jones and Phil Mooney. There were a few half chances for both sides, but nothing significant yet. However on 72 minutes Adam Stephens picked up the ball in the opposition box, turned brilliantly and smashed it past the keeper to get his second of the afternoon and make it 4-2 Druids!
The lads stayed composed as the clock ran down. However the home side pulled one back with 5 minutes to go. Henry Nash did well to flick on a corner into the net to make it 4-3. Nervy times for Druids in the dying minutes now. Mold almost had a fourth when Alex Smith raced through on goal but his effort just went wide of the post. The referee blew for full-time shortly as Druids held on for a great win!
An incredible game for the neutral, but hearts in mouth stuff for us Druids fans towards the end! Fortunately the lads were brilliant all afternoon and fought hard in tough conditions to get the 3 points. A great response from last week! Also a special mention to academy graduate Iwan Hardy for a goal on his first start and an overall excellent performance.
A quick turn around for the team now as we welcome Guilsfield FC to The Rock on Tuesday night!
We keep going!
