St Albans City 2-2 Concord Rangers

From Clarence Park

National League South

 

CONCORD Rangers snatched a point from the jaws of defeat as a late Sam Bantick goal ensured a share of the spoils at bottom-club St Albans City.

Bantick scored with a minute left on the clock, after former Beach Boys man Michael Thallasitis had terrorised his old side with a fine display.

Concord had a golden chance to open the scoring after just 60 seconds, when Lewis Taaffe whipped in a fierce cross which Alex Osborn, making his first start since joining from Ebbsfleet United, was inches away from getting on the end of.

But the next 20 minutes failed to live up to expectations, as both failed to truly find their best form.

Although it was the team that were bottom of the standings that took the lead on the half hour mark.

Edward Oshodi got the goal although it was a former Concord man who helped bring it about.

Thallasitis, who only departed Concord last month, flicked on for Oshodi and he drove his effort past Ben McNamara.

Captain Sam Corcoran was kept out by McNamara as the home team continued to press, although Concord may have felt aggrieved that Al Bangura wasn’t shown red for a two-footed challenge five minutes before the interval.

Steve Cawley tested Joe Welch with a stinging drive, but it went from bad to worse shortly after the break, as Thallasitis made it 2-0.

The attacker was played through and he made no mistake against his old employers.

St Albans saw two strikes ruled out as St Albans continued to defy their league position but then Concord hit back.

With 11 minutes to go, Cawley rose highest to flick a header into the net before the leveller came on the stroke of full-time.

Substitute Bantick was on hand to score at the far post to make it back-to-back matches on the scoresheet and lift Beach Boys spirits.

 

Concord Rangers: McNamara, Dowie, Stephen, Cornhill, King, Lee, Taaffe, White, Greenhalgh, Cawley, Osborn (Bantick)