Dunford strike earns Abbey a point at New Mills
A second half equaliser from Jake Dunford rescued a point for Abbey Hey as they secured a 1-1 draw with New Mills at Church Lane.
The home side took the lead after 25 minutes when a free-kick from Darren McKnight beat Ross Heywood at his near post from long-range to give them the lead.
Conceding the goal was a wake-up call for the visitors as they turned up the tempo and pressed on the New Mills defence, but they couldn’t seem to get a shot away within tight proceedings in the first half.
Eight minutes after halftime, Abbey Hey got themselves back into the game courtesy of Dunford. The midfielder went on a darting run with the ball from the centre circle before releasing a low driven shot that rocketed into the bottom left corner to draw the game level.
The game turned into end-to-end football as both teams were searching for a winner in what was an important six-pointer for both sides. New Mills winger Elliot Cooke missed a great opportunity for the home side as he missed an open goal from close-range, after Ross Heywood came well out of his goal to try and claim the ball.
Dylan Fitzgerald also had a great chance to win the game for Abbey Hey in injury time, but he could only head over the bar, getting on the end of a cross from the right-hand side.
Abbey Hey remain in 3rd place in the NWCFL Division One South and they will prepare to take on Cammell Laird this coming Saturday back at the Abbey Stadium, hoping to get a win before Christmas.
