Haughmond: Hole lot left to play for after title drama
Haughmond boss Dan Williams insists his side are not favourites to win the West Midlands Premier Division despite now having their fate in their own hands.
A 95th-minute penalty from Steve Hole saw the Shropshire side snatch a 1-0 win at Hereford Lads Club on Saturday.
Williams described Haughmond’s performance in that victory as ‘awful’.
But with league leaders Tividale drawing at home against Dudley Sports, Williams men are five points off top spot with two games in hand.
The manager though has selection worries heading into the final five games with skipper Jack Griffiths and creative schemer Joe Parry picking up injuries.
And while Carl Rogers can feature in tomorrow’s game against Shifnal, he will then miss the final four games of the season through suspension.
“As it stands Tividale are still favourites for the title,” Williams said.
“If you look at the league table, I suppose you could say it is in our hands.
“But in our last five games we have tough away fixtures at Pershore, Wellington and Dudley Sports.
“We’ve also got games against teams that are fighting for their lives so I don’t think you can make us favourites yet.
“We’ve only got a squad of 18 and we’ve got about five or six injuries at the minute.
“Jack Griffiths and Joe Parry have picked up knock. Rogers is available against Shifnal tomorrow, but will then be suspended.
“There is still a long way to go and as it stands I see us in a fight for second spot.”
Williams admitted his side were way below their best at Hereford.
“I’d describe the performance as terrible and I’ve told the lads that,” he added.
“We got beat 4-1 the week before, but we were a lot worse on Saturday.
“I’ve got to give credit to the referee though. It was a stonewall penalty in the 95th minute, but it would have been easy for him not to give it against the home side.
“Referees get a lot of stick, but he was brave to make the right call. ‘Holey’, who had one of his worst games of the season, put it top corner.
“And at this stage of the season results are the only thing that matter.”
Elsewhere in the Premier Division AFC Bridgnorth drew 2-2 at Bilston Town Community with goals from Myles Arnold and Matt Dean earning them a point. Shawbury lost 7-1 at home to Pershore Town 88.
