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The players threw everything into the game - Holloway
Old Albanian coach Andy Holloway - Credit: Archant
Coach praises ‘outstanding’ OAs after dramatic draw with Esher
Old Albanian will need every minute of their two week break to recharge from Saturday’s blood and thunder draw with Esher, according to head coach Andy Holloway.
OA’s coach had nothing but praise for his side after they fought back to earn a 30-30 draw at Molesey Road. Billy Johnson scored the first of five tries, with Charlie Hughes, Mike Allan, Jimmy Speirs and George Perkins getting the others.
Having almost come away with nothing, OAs went so close to winning it but Dan Watt, who kicked the only penalty of the game, saw the final conversion sail wide of the posts.
It was a disappointing conclusion for OAs, especially since Cinderford, their relegation rivals, beat Fylde to close the gap to three points with three games remaining.
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“The players we have got are outstanding but we are held together by tape,” said Holloway. “They’ll need the time to recharge mentally and physically because they threw everything they had into the game.
“I’m gutted for the players; I couldn’t have asked any more from them, and, in truth, they did enough to win the game. We’ll look at it as three points gained rather than two lost because everything is still in our hands.
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“We know we should have won but the lads will take massive encouragement from it. If we play like we did then we can win all three of our games.”
OAs have a two-week break before the National League One season resumes on April 11 at Woollams against Hartpury College. Cinderford have, arguably, an easier run-in so Old Albanian will have to be on their mettle to avoid relegation.
“We’re in the lead and if anyone is going to take it from us they’re going to have to fight tooth and nail to do it,” said Holloway. “No one will do us any favours. All we can control is what we do. We’ll fight for it and do everything we can to pick up the points we need.
“The lads know the task. They know how important it is to the club, the management, the fans, the area, to be in National League One.”
