Llandudno Junction 1-3 Holywell Town

Llandudno Junction 1-3 Holywell Town

Holywell Town travelled to Llandudno Junction for the top of the table clash knowing a win would see them go 5 points clear of the Railwaymen, but also, a defeat would see the hosts over take us on the top so we knew it was going to be a tough game.
Town started brightly and with around 5 moinutes gone, the first chance fell to Sam Jones who headed Phil Lloyd’s cross over Gwydion Owen’s crossbar. A few minutes later, Town had a goal disaaalowed for offside as John Leonard got a flick onto the ball and it fell to Phil Lloyd who rifled the ball home but was adjudged to being offside and the goal didn’t count. The hosts then had a couple of chances, the first falling to Joel Hewitt who shot wide of Michael Platt’s goal then Bryan Roberts’ good effort was tipped over by Platt as Junction put pressure on the Holywell goal.

With half an hour gone, another great Sam Jones free kick into the box met the head of John Davies but Owen got down and saved well. A few minutes later however, the hosts took the lead as Mike Lundstram beat the challenge of a Holywell defender, and his shot across the face of goal beat Michael Platt and the ball nestled into the corner of the net. Tom McElmeel went close to equalise a few minutes later but his downward header from a corner was again saved well by Owen. Town did grab an equaliser on the stroke of half time as a clever through ball by John Leonard saw Lloyd chase the ball towards goal, and he got the first before the onrushing Owen and was able to tap the ball past Owen and it ended up in the back of the net.

The second half started and Town were first to take control and an inch perfect ball fell to Matty Harvey and his overhead attempt was tipped over for a corner. The corner came in and Phil Lloyd was on hand at the far post to head the ball home to give Town the lead.
Junction were reduced to 10 men shortly after as Bryan Roberts was sent off for a second yellow card for a high footed challenge on Tony Roebuck . Lee Emberton was having a great game on the left and one of his runs down the left saw him beat the challenge of the defender Joel Hewitt and his cross reached Phil Lloyd at the far post and his shot went inches wide. Lloyd then slotted the ball home a few minutes later from another Holywell corner but the Assistant had his flag up and the goal was disallowed. Sam Jones then had an effort go over before another excellent run by Emberton saw his cross hit a little to hard ahead of the oncoming Jones and Lloyd and the chance had gone.

It was all Holywell Town by now and a great run by Tony Roebuck saw him pass the ball to Sam Jones and his pile driver hit the crossbar and came back out to safety. Sam Jones then put in another great Free Kick and Matty Harvey saw his header saved well by Owen. Junction then had an effort go inches over as sub Kyle Robb tried his luck in front of the Holywell goal. Town then went up the other end with a Matty Roberts before he passed it to Graeme Williams and he threaded the ball through to Jones but yet again, his effort was saved well by Owen. Graeme Williams then had a shot saved before Junction were awarded a dubious penalty after John Davies was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. Mike Lundstram stepped up to take it and his spot kick was saved brilliantly by Michael Platt to keep the Wellmen ahead in the game.

A few minutes later, Sam Jones made sure of the points with his 12th goal of the season to date. Jones ran into the box and beat the challenges of a couple of defenders before hitting his shot into the top corner, much o the delight of the excellent away supporters!
Sam Jones was then taken off with a couple of minutes remaining to rapturous applause by the Holywell supporters and despite both teams challenging to get last minute efforts in on goal, the score remained 3-1 and Town will be extremely happy with the result and the win see’s the Wellmen 5 points clear at the top. With Town in cup action for the next fortnight, it was important to get the points on the board this afternoon.