Nail-biting finish in spite of 5-1 lead (From Barry And District News)

Nail-biting finish in spite of 5-1 lead

ST PATRICKS 4

HOLTON ROAD 5

AFTER a three-week lay-off due to bad weather, Holton secured a valuable three points away to St Patricks at Maesteg after finishing the match with just ten men.

It was no surprise that Holton's star striker Ben Taylor opened the scoring after just 10 minutes, and they made it 2-0 after 20 minutes when midfielder Simon Robbins netted after a great through ball from defender Michael O'Brien.

Further goals from Jason Rowlands - a fine 20-yard angled strike - and another from Ben Taylor made it 4-0 at half-time.

St Patricks pulled a goal back shortly after half-time, and although Ben Taylor scored soon after for his hat-trick to make it 5-1 for Holton, any thoughts of an easy win soon disappeared.

Holton's star striker Taylor had to leave the field as a result of an injury sustained in scoring his third and their 10 men then contrived to concede a further three goals but after a nail-biting finish managed to hold out for the 5-4 victory.

Rhys Manford and Dave Short deserve special mention, particularly for their first-half performance, which merited a joint Man of the Match award.