Ruthin Town 2-1 Holywell Town

The Wellmen travelled to Ruthin hoping to build on the Boxing Day victory over Flint Town United, and the match kicked off and both sides looked to be the first to take control of the game. The game went from end to end with Ruthin having the best of the possession and a couple of early efforts which didn’t trouble Mike Platt in the Holywell goal.
With 9 minutes on the clock came Town’s first chance on goal which fell to Sam Jones, but his effort goes over the bar. A couple of minutes later, Town very nearly broke the deadlock, a corner was whipped into the box, and Steve Lewis got up and headed the ball goalwards, but unfortunately, it hit the cross bar and fell towards Aaron Pomeyie, but his effort struck the post and was cleared to safety, much to the disappointment of the Wellmen supporters behind that goal.
Ruthin got back into the game, and Tom Williams found himself some space on the edge of the box, and his fierce shot took a slight deflection off Matty Harvey and went out for a corner. Williams then was booked for a challenge on Sam Jones on the edge of the box. Jones got up to take the kick and his cross into the box was cleared to safety by the Ruthin defence. A few minutes later, Llyr Morris headed wide when he should have hit the target, then Williams again had a shot which was saved well by Platt.
With the half coming to the end, Town’s Josh Sheridan had an effort from outside the area which went over the bar, then Ruthin’s Morris missed a glorious chance, unmarked at the far post but his effort went wide of the target. The last chance of half fell to Steve Lewis but his effort goes over the bar and the half time whistle went with the score goal less.
The second half got under way and with 5 minutes of the half on the clock, the Wellmen found them selves a goal behind as Llyr Morris shot took a deflection of Town’s James Graham and beat Mike Platt in goal to give the home side the lead.

Town looked to get a quick equaliser, and were playing well looking to break down the Ruthin defence, and coming up to the hour mark, a Steve Lewis run saw him brought down on the edge of the area, he picked himself up and took the kick but was unable to test Ryan Goldston in the Ruthin goal.

A few minutes later, another great through ball for Lewis to chase saw him burst into the area, and was seemed to have been pushed by the Ruthin defender into the on rushing Goldston, but the referee deemed it wasn’t a penalty. A few minutes later however, the Wellmen were level. A great ball into the box found the head of Matty Harvey, and his looping header beat Goldston and hit the back of the net.

Town looked to add to the tally, and were pressing really well, with Pomeyie doing well down the left beating the defenders but his crosses were cleared before the Wellmen players could attack the ball. Josh Malson then went on a good run into the box but was unable to get his shot on target, then disaster struck as the home side regained the lead. A ball over the top saw Thomas Roberts break clear, and slotted past the on coming Mike Platt.

The Wellmen didn’t drop their heads when the goal went in, and went looking for the deserved equaliser. Town pressed forward, with the Ruthin goalkeeper kept his side in it with a string of great saves to deny Town their deserved equaliser. The final 5 minutes saw him produce a great save to save Ryan Jones goal bound header from Joe Carey’s corner, then he pulled off another great save to prevent Steve Lewis effort hitting the back of the net.

Despite the late chances, Town were unable to get the equaliser they deserved and will now regroup ahead of the game at Prestatyn Town on Friday night.