Holywell Town 1-2 Barmouth & Dyffryn United

Welsh Alliance League Division 1
Holywell Town 1 - 2 Barmouth & Dyffryn United

The eagerly awaited first match of new season proved to be a disappointing afternoon for the Wellmen as Barmouth & Dyffryn went home with all 3 points.

Holywell started well and won a free kick after 4 minutes just outside the area. Wayne Edwards, fresh from scoring a free kick from a similar distance last week, took the kick but his effort rebounded back out from the Barmouth wall. Town then won 3 corners in qick succession and despite winning the ball on all of these corners, the chances weren’t on target and Barmouth survived the threat.

Disaster struck on 23 minutes as Barmouth took the lead through Shane Jones. A Barmouth corner was partially cleared as far as Shane Jones, and his shot went in through a crowded penalty box to give Barmouth a shock lead. Holywell Town then went up the other end and nearly equalised. Wayne Edwards ran into the box and beat the advancing keeper but he managed to then knock the ball away before Edwards could shoot. On the half hour mark, Steve Thomas got the ball to Tom Carney and he ran into the box, beat a couple of defenders but his shot sailed over the bar. A few minutes later, Matty Roberts beats the Barmouth Full Back but is then brought down. Steve Thomas takes the free kick towards John Haseldin but he is adjudged to have fouled the defender when jumping to head the ball goalwards.

A minute later, Town were level. Steve Thomas ran towards goal and rounded the keeper before slotting the ball home from a tight angle. This was more than Town deserved and we carried on looking for the second. Thomas made a great pass through to Paul Williams, but his attempted shot was saved by the keeper at the second attempt.

The teams came out for the second half with honours even at one apiece. Town were desperate to get the next goal and a great run by Matty Roberts along the left to the byline before crossing inch perfect to Tom Povey but his header was saved by Darren Andrews in the Barmouth goal. Barmouth then had a chance to double their lead. Adam Morris broke clear and as he was about to shoot, a last minute block by Tony Roebuck thwarted the danger and the ball went out for a corner. A few minutes later, Danny Stanton saved well from the Barmouth forward.

On 74 minutes, John Haseldin saw red after a handball incident and referee Nick Pratt had no alternative but to send John to the stands after booking him earlier. More misery was heaped on Town a few minutes later as Barmouth got what turned out to be the winner. They won a free kick just outside the area, and Adam Morris took the kick and it seemed to take a slight deflection and hit the back of the net with Stanton beaten.

Town pressed for the equaliser but despite Thomas, Paul Williams and Marc Gunther all having good efforts, we failed to equalise and Barmouth went home with the points. It was a disappointing result but we have the chance to make up for it on Tuesday as we travel to Llandudno Junction, who also lost today at Llangefni.