Llanberis 1-1 Holywell Town

Llanberis 1-1 Holywell Town

With 5 league games remaining, Holywell Town travelled to Llanberis knowing a Holywell Town win and a Llandudno Junction defeat would mean that Holywell Town would be crowned champions. The game started and both teams tried to play football in the blustery conditions, and Town went close early on as a Sam Jones corner flew through the penalty area when all it needed was a touch to force the ball home.

Llanberis’ Steff Jones saw a shot hit the side netting before Sam Jones collided with Louis Williams chasing a ball over the top. On the half hour mark, Steve Thomas whipped in a great ball and Phil Lloyd got a touch but the ball was deflected out for a corner. From the resulting corner, Dafydd Griffith rose well at the far post but his header flew over the bar.

With 40 minutes on the clock, Town were awarded a penalty as a Dafydd Griffith shot hit the hand of Gethin Wakenham, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Sam Jones took the spot kick and despite the keeper guessing the right way, Jones’ shot was that powerful that the keeper had no chance to save the ball. The Wellmen were a goal up and looking for another to wrap up the victory, and minutes after taking the lead, Phil Lloyd was brought down on the edge of the area and Steve Thomas took the free kick but his effort went inches past Williams’ goal. With the last effort of the half, Jack D’arcy’s header from a Steve Thomas corner flew inches wide of the goalpost, and the score remained 1-0 to the Wellmen at the break.

The Second half started and the first chance fell to Steve Thomas as he broke through the defence but Williams saved well with his legs and the ball fell to Phil Lloyd who’s effort was deflected out to Steve Thomas but his cross back into the danger area was deflected out for a corner. Just after the hour mark, Phil Lloyd had a header go over the bar and shortly afterwards, Llanberis equalised to make it 1-1. A corner from the left was met by Nathan Williams who’s header flew across goal and went in via the far netting. The goal gave Llanberis a lift and they pressed forward at every opportunity, and their attacking options got better when they brought on Sub David Jones who gave them another option to their game. On 75 minutes, a loose ball fell kindly to Huw Owen and his first time effort curled just wide of Mike Platt’s post.

A minute later, Town went up the other end and a Steve Thomas lay off to Phil Lloyd, saw Lloyd turn and shoot at goal, but Williams got down to save well. As we entered the final 10 minutes, Sam Jones ran on towards goal and his shot was deflected to Stuart Hayes, and his turn and shot was blocked and out for a corner. From the resulting corner, Jack D’arcy had a header fall just wide of the post. With time running out, Tony Roebuck delivered a great free kick into the penalty area and Sam Jones on the turn saw his effort clip the crossbar and go out for a goal kick. Into the final minute, The Wellmen were still looking for the winner and another Sam Jones run into the box saw his shot blocked and the deflection fell to Tom McElmeel and his effort was blocked and cleared in what was the last action of the match.

The Wellmen picked up a point and with Junction losing at Barmouth, Town now only need a point from their remaining 4 games to clinch the League Championship. Town’s next game is on Tuesday when we travel to Llanrwst for a 6.30pm kick off.