Market Drayton Town youth star lights up full debut with double in thriller

Market Drayton Town hope there is more to come from exciting homegrown talent Konnor Higgins after a sparkling full debut.

Higgins fired a brace on his first senior start to help the Gingerbread Men claim a point in last weekend’s thrilling 3-3 draw at Wednesfield - where all six goals arrived in the first period.

Dave Lloyd’s Drayton gave up an early 2-0 lead handed to them by youngster Higgins, who marked a full bow with two well-taken early goals inside 15 minutes.

The Black Country hosts hit back for 3-2 a little over 15 minutes later, but a towering header by Owen Beamon from Will Holt’s corner brought Drayton back level five minutes before the interval.

The second period was a more serene affair as the visitors made do with a point in a mid-table clash, to respond from last midweek’s spirited 2-0 defeat at high-flying rivals AFC Bridgnorth.

Boss Lloyd will hope development team graduate Higgins - who appeared and netted in cameo roles for the first team under Dan Dawson last term - can continue his eye-catching start next up as Town compete a hat-trick of away fixtures.

Town will also look to turn an improved performance level into three important points.

It is another battle in the middle ground of the North West Counties First Division South this Saturday as Drayton head to Cheadle Heath Nomads.

There is very little to separate the visitors and their Greater Manchester hosts, with the duo 13th and 12th respectively, both on 14 points, albeit Nomads have played one fixture more.

The clash marks the beginning of a busy but opportunistic week for Lloyd’s men.

They finally make a return to the Balufab Stadium for a first Greenfields contest since the disappointing goalless draw with rock-bottom Widnes on October 10.

Another struggler, this time second-bottom Alsager, are the visitors next Tuesday night. Crewe, who are just outside the bottom three, then visit on Saturday week (October 31).