Watson equaliser just what the doctor ordered for St Ives Town
Danny Watson hit a late leveller for St Ives Town. Picture: LOUISE THOMPSON - Credit: Archant
It was a case of better late than never for St Ives Town last night.
Danny Watson hit a crucial equaliser in the closing stages to earn the locals a 1-1 draw against Potters Bar in Southern League Division One (Central).
Saints had earlier been frustrated by the woodwork and the refusal of the referee to award a penalty in the ProEdge Westwood Road clash.
Manager Ricky Marheineke said: “Every point is a good one at this stage of the season – especially after being behind with a few minutes to go.
“I wasn’t too disappointed with our performance as we came up against a good side, but the one thing we could have improved on was our finishing.
“We had the chances to go two-up in the opening five minutes and it would have obviously been a different game if that happened.
“We also had a stonewall penalty not given, but we kept battling away and got the goal in the end.”
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Ben Seymour-Shove saw an early effort saved before captain Luke Knight fired against the inside of a post.
Saints then saw strong penalty appeals ignored on the half-hour after Seymour-Shove had been felled when attempting to convert a Jordan Jarrold cross.
Marheineke’s men found themselves behind just before the hour and only a stunning save from teenage goalkeeper Brendan Brown prevented Potters Bar from doubling their advantage.
But Saints rallied as Seymour-Shove saw a wickedly-curling corner cleared off the line before Andrew Phillips thumped a rising shot against the bar.
But Watson finally made a breakthrough to level in the 87th minute as Saints, who occupy the final play-off spot, saw the gap to the chasing pack cut to five points.
Saints face another crunch home clash this Saturday when another set of play-off hopefuls, Northwood, visit ProEdge Westwood Road.
Marheineke added: “People often talk about six-pointers in relegation battles, but the Northwood game is one of those in terms of the play-offs.
“They won last night to get within six points off us and that makes Saturday an even bigger game than it was already.”
