Holywell Town 4-0 Holyhead Hotspur

Holywell Town welcomed Holyhead Hotspur to Halkyn Road and the Wellmen expected a tough game like those we have had previously over the years with the Anglesey outfit. Today’s match was only the second match of the season to be played at Halkyn Road and the Wellmen were hoping to put on a good performance for the fans.

The game was barely a minute old when the Wellmen took the lead. An inswinging corner saw Dafydd Griffith rise to head the ball home past Carl Jones to give the Wellmen a dream start. With quarter of an hour gone, Brady McGilloway had a shot go wide before Holyhead’s Rhys Roberts had a shot on goal and Town’s Mike Platt got down well to palm the ball one handed around the post for a corner. Shortly afterwards, Town doubled their lead. Phil Lloyd broke clear from midfield and ran into the box, he then back heeled the ball across for Connor Littler who hit the ball which flew into the net past Jones.

Town wanted more and a couple of minutes after Littler’s goal, McGilloway was through on goal but his shot was saved well by Jones, then the rebound came out to Paul Williams but his shot was also saved by Jones before the Holyhead defence were able to clear the ball to safety. On the half hour mark, the visitors had their best effort of the game from a corner, and Holyhead’s Mike Kelly had a glancing header flash across goal with Platt beaten, but Town’s Ross Ankers was on hand to head the ball clear off the line to ensure Town kept their two goal advantage.

A couple of minutes later, Town were three up as Paul Williams’ chip over the advancing keeper saw the ball fly into the net, much to the delight of the supporters. The Wellmen were enjoying themselves and McGilloway once again had a shot blocked and the resulting rebound saw the ball fall for Paul D Williams, but his shot flew over the bar. Town’s last attack of the half saw Steve Thomas shoot on goal, but Jones was able to save with his legs and the ball went out for a corner.

The second half started with Holyhead Hotspur having the first chance of the half. Damian Ketley rose well to head the ball goalwards from a corner, but Platt read it well and dived low to save the ball. 10 minutes into the half, Ross Ankers made a good run into the box after beating his marker but is low cross was cleared before the visitor’s Rhys Roberts had a long range shot saved by Platt.
Wioth 70 minutes played, Phil Lloyd had a shot blocked by a Holyhead defender but a few minutes later, Lloyd did manage to get his name on the score sheet. Holyhead pressed for a goal and they had an effort hit Town’s woodwork before the ball was cleared off the line. The ball was then kicked up field and the Hotspurs Alex Jones could only help the ball on towards his own goal and Lloyd was able to get a foot on the ball and chip it over the advancing Jones. The ball rolled into the net just as a defender got back to attempt to clear the ball. It was no more than Lloyd deserved.

Town looked for a fifth and Brady McGilloway made a great run into the box before laying the ball off to Graeme Williams who controlled the ball and hit a great shot which was blocked by the defence, but the ball fell to Lloyd who forced the ball home but the goal was not given as Lloyd was in an offside position. The final shot fell to Tony Roebuck but his shot was saved well by Jones. The referee soon blew for full time and the Holywell Town fans left Halkyn Road happy with the performance and more importantly, the Wellmen were back to winning ways.