Hughes hammers home winner in front of watching scouts
THURLOW NUNN LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
Thetford Town 1
Walsham-le-Willows 2
Ollie Hughes fired Walsham-le-Willows back to the top of the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, but could soon be on his way out of Summer Road.
The 25-year-old hotshot has netted 13 goals in 21 league appearances so far this season, attracting interest from as high up the ladder as League Two outfit Wycombe Wanderers.
Hughes has been invited to trial with the Chairboys, but Ryman Premier club Bury Town have also made an official approach for the striker.
“Bury are quite strong going forward, so I will have to see where I fit into their plans,” said Hughes, who expects to speak with them in the next couple of days. “I’m very reluctant to leave Walsham because I can see us finishing in the highest position we ever have and I want to be part of that.
“It’s a real honour to be associated with a team like Bury Town though and if the chance was right then I’d love to be part of the set-up.”
Tom Agricole’s cross-cum-shot bounced into the net in just the 11th minute to give Walsham the best possible start.
The Willows were unable to turn the screw though as Andrew Cusack struck the post with a free-kick while Hughes missed three glorious chances.
Thetford started the second half well and, after Martin Carter and Tom Dew were denied by Duncan McAnally, John Curtis drew the Brecklanders level by converting Arron Joseph’s cross in the 58th minute.
Parity was restored for just 180 seconds though as Hughes, who had just missed his fourth gilt-edged chance, finally tucked the ball home to snatch all three points for the Willows.
Walsham boss Paul Smith, who was pleased to see his side bounce back from their 4-3 loss to Brantham on Saturday, said: “It would have been nine wins from nine if we had won Saturday and we were three minutes away from doing that.
“You could see against Thetford that those two late goals had taken it out of them, but we pulled through.”
Despite good displays against the league’s top two sides, having pushed Mildenhall close when going down 4-2 on Saturday, Thetford manager Mark Scott insisted his side were not too good to go down.
“The only way we are going to stay up is if we put points on the board,” he said.
Walsham host Felixstowe and Walton United while Thetford visit title-chasing Dereham Town, both tomorrow (3pm).
Mildenhall Town visit another team with championship aspirations tomorrow (3pm) when they travel to the Fens to take on Wisbech Town.
In the First Division tomorrow (both 3pm), Team Bury host Long Melford and Stowmarket Town travel to March Town.
n Video interviews with Paul Smith and Mark Scott online at www.buryfreepress.co.uk
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
