Market Drayton Town Triumphs with Five Goals Against Haughmond

Market Drayton Town secured a decisive 5-2 victory over Haughmond, propelling them out of the relegation zone in the First Division South. The Gingerbread Men showcased an impressive performance in front of nearly 200 fans on Tuesday night, with two goals each from Sam Preece and Dan Holdcroft leading the charge.

Following a disappointing defeat to Telford Town on Saturday, which briefly placed the team at second-bottom, this win was crucial for Dan Dawson’s side. The match against Telford ended in controversy as Telford clinched a 1-0 victory from a penalty converted by Alex Hughes in the closing minutes. Dawson expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, believing it was unjust after the ball struck Nick Woods’ arm from close range.

In the match against Haughmond, the home team quickly asserted their dominance. Preece and Holdcroft set the tone, scoring two goals to give Market Drayton a 2-0 lead. Haughmond managed to reduce the deficit before the half-time whistle, but Isaac Shaw responded, restoring a 3-1 lead for the hosts at the break.

The second half began with Preece adding his second goal, bringing the score to 4-1. Haughmond did find the net again from the penalty spot soon after, but Holdcroft sealed the match with his second goal, ensuring a comfortable victory for Market Drayton Town.

This win not only lifted Market Drayton above Wolverhampton Casuals but also provided a much-needed confidence boost ahead of their upcoming match against Stockport Georgians, currently positioned second in the league.

Dawson highlighted the team’s improved work ethic, stating, “It was a complete 180 in terms of work ethic and effort from the lads. We dealt with Telford superbly for 94 minutes, but it came down to something out of our hands. It will be interesting to see what the referee assessor thinks of the penalty decision. In my opinion, it was an absolutely wild decision, but I can’t fault the lads.”

As the season progresses, Market Drayton Town looks to build on this momentum and solidify their position in the league.