Penrhyndeudraeth 0-2 Holywell Town

Penrhyndeudraeth 0-2 Holywell Town

The first weekend in May saw Holywell Town make their last away trip of the season to Penrhyndeudraeth, and the cold and wet weather, with snow on the nearby mountains, made it more like a game in the middle of winter. The Wellmen travelled to the game with a different lineup to that which beat today’s opponents in the FAW Trophy a fortnight ago and as the teams entered the field of play, Penrhyndeudraeth formed a guard of honour and applauded the Wellmen as they entered the field in honour of being League Champions and FAW Trophy winners.

The game got underway and both teams settled down well to play good football and the first real chance of the match fell to the Wellmen on 12 minutes. Graham Williams made a good run down the right and was brought down by Tomos Smith. Steve Thomas took the free kick and lofted the ball into the penalty area and found the head of Jack D’arcy but his header went over Robert Watson’s crossbar.
Penrhyndeudraeth’s first shot came a few minutes later, a good move down the middle saw the ball find Steven Jones and his first time curling effort was well saved by Paul Turner. Graeme Williams, who was having a great game and causing problems for the home defenders fed the ball to Luke Tyson but his effort was blocked and cleared by Iddon Price. With just over half an hour played, Steve Thomas beat his marker and crossed the ball across face of goal and Dafydd Griffith was at the far post andslid to connect with the ball but the ball ended up inches wide of Watson’s goal.

Liam Watson then headbutted Tom McElmeel in the back of the head, which caused him to fall to the floor and tempers flared until order was restored by the officials, and miraculously no one was booked. Town were given the free kick and McElmeel’s kick was met by Tyson but his shot went inches over the crossbar. As the game entered the final 5 minutes of the first half, Town were putting more pressure on the home goal and another Steve Thomas free kick was met by McElmeel and his header back into the area found Tyson but his shot again went over the bar.

The deadlock was finally broken on 42 minutes, and it was the Wellmen who took the lead. Steve Thomas went on a run and was brought down by Paul Roberts and the linesman and referee pointed to the spot. McElmeel stepped up to take and despite the keeper getting a touch to the ball, the power saw it go in and the Wellmen were ahead at the break.

The second half started and the Wellmen were first out of the blocks as Tyson shot over before Town doubled their lead. Steve Thomas won a corner and his corner kick flew over to the back post and McElmeel was on hand to head the ball home past Watson to give Town a two goal cushion. Matty Roberts then got a great ball over in to the box and Matty Harvey was inches away from connecting with the ball when all it needed was a touch to end up in the net.

Penrhyndeudraeth’s Tom Hughes then had a shot go wide before Paul Turner saved well from Steven Jones’ effort to ensure the Wellmen had a two goal cushion. Town then won a free kick in a dangerous position and Tom McElmeel’s excellent free kick beat everyone except the post, and it came back out where Steve Thomas had followed up and hit the ball home but the Linesman flagged to indicate Thomas was in an offside position.

Penrhyndeudraeth’s Paul Roberts came close to pulling one back for the home side but his shot flew over the bar before Iddon Price had an effort from distance forced a smart tip over the bar save by Turner to keep the scores at 2-0. Tyson and McElmeel tried to increase Town’s lead but couldn’t and as the referee blew for full time, Town had won their last away match of the season by 2 goals to nil in what was a great performance against a good Penrhyndeudraeth side.