Fitzgerald brace seals Ellesmere win

A brace from Dylan Fitzgerald secured Abbey Hey a crucial 2-1 win over Ellesmere Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
 
Ellesmere’s Connor Courtney went close early on to opening the deadlock at the Abbey Stadium, but his curling effort went wide of goal not troubling Abbey keeper Joe Lawton.
 
Abbey Hey were quick to respond with their own chances, with opportunities through Fitzgerald and Jake Parker, who were both denied by Ellesmere keeper Ollie Hawkins.

The deadlock was broken for the home side after 25 minutes, courtesy of Fitzgerald. He raced through on goal onto a long ball over the top from Matt Grimshaw, before firing low into the bottom-right corner to hand the home side the lead.

Two minutes later and Abbey Hey could have had their second, with Parker twisting and turning in the area with close ball control, before having his effort on goal cleared off the line by Ellesmere defender Matthew Jones.
 
The visitors put pressure on the Abbey Hey defence in the second half and they were credited with their goal efforts, finding the equaliser seven minutes after half time. Ellesmere captain Owen Lloyd tapped in at the near post after a cross into the area from the left.

Abbey searched for a winner as it looked like they would only collect a point, as Luke HINCKS and Aaron Fleming were unable to capitalise on chances presented to them.
 
But the winner came with two minutes of normal play to go for Abbey Hey, Fitzgerald received the ball right of the area before firing a fierce effort into the roof of the net for his 20th goal of the season.
 
With only one game remaining of the season, it’s still possible for Abbey Hey to finish third in the league table, but they will need to ensure they win next Saturday at Stockport Town and other results go their way.
 

Abbey Hey: Lawton (GK), Grant, Hamzat, Grimshaw, Norris, Fleming, Parker, Murray, Hincks (Fenton 73’), Lazenbury, Fitzgerald
 
Unused Subs: K.Nolan, Graham, Jones, M. Nolan
 
Attendance: 225