Huws Gray Alliance

Caersws 2

Conwy Borough 1

JOSH Hartrick suffered a horror injury as Caersws’ celebrations for overcoming a battling Conwy Borough were marred by concern for their striker.

Hartrick had earlier blasted the Bluebirds ahead with a fine 20 yard volley but with seconds left of the game was left reeling following Chris Rowntree’s challenge.

The shared response from both sets of players and benches underlined the repercussions of the challenge with Hartrick suffering a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula.

Conwy arrived with relegation clouds hanging over them and began the contest on top with Joe Chaplin forcing a save at his feet from home goalkeeper Luke Evans before Neil Harvey headed over following a corner.

Borough continued to press with livewire Ben Glover and Alan Titchiner creating room only to scuff wide before the hosts began to take hold of the game.

Iwan Lewis teed up Rhydian Davies to fire wide from 20 yards before Jack Hughes’ left wing cross was headed wide by Luke Evans on the far post.

Caersws started the second-half on top with Luke Evans seizing on a defensive lapse by Harvey only to fire wide while the same player would also test home goalkeeper Josh Cook after linking with Rhydian Davies.

Borough increasingly struggled in attack with countless offsides upsetting their play.

It was no surprise when home pressure led to the breakthrough on the hour with Hartrick latching onto a poor defensive header from Luke Evans’ left wing cross to fire through a crowded goalmouth and into the net.

Conwy rallied with Rowntree scything wide after being set-up by Harvey before Glover’s shot was blocked in the area and substitute Jonny Wilson forced Evans into action.

Caersws survived a scare on 77 minutes when Mark Buchan’s shot forced Evans into a fine save with Danny Cross’ follow up effort also blocked in a packed goalmouth.

Three minutes later Caersws broke when Hartrick released Sean Evans who cleverly squared for Luke Evans who coaxed keeper Cook before setting up Iwan Lewis to slot into an empty net.

Borough replied within seconds as Titchiner’s 20 yard effort into the top corner left Evans with no chance in the home goal.

Conwy thought they had levelled moments later when Steve Foster struck from close range only to be adjudged offside.

The match remained keenly contested but with seconds remaining of injury-time the match would be blighted by Hartrick's injury, yielding a straight red card for Rowntree, and muted celebrations for the Caersws faithful.

CAERSWS: L Evans, Parr, Hughes, Grant, Richards, Lewis, LK Evans, R Davies, Hartrick, Collister, S Evans. Subs: Thomas, L Jones, P Jones, E Jones, G Evans.