Football: Holyhead Hotspur FC hit the heights again

Dec 23 2008 by Dave Jones, Holyhead and Anglesey Mail

TITLE chasers Holyhead completed a hat-trick of wins against Mynydd Isa this season in a cracking match that was a credit to the Cymru Alliance.

Games between these sides are invariably hard fought and this latest offering was no different, settled by just the one goal as had been the previous league encounter with the Anglesey team also coming out on top on penalties in the Welsh Cup.

This newest success kept the third-placed Harbourmen on the tails of leaders Bala and nicely set up Saturday’s mouth-watering home test against neighbours and title rivals Llangefni Town.

Hotspur were without leading scorer Marc Evans and the influential Curt Williams at the Argoed Sports Ground, but the pace of Ian Williams and Kenleigh Owen proved a handful for Isa throughout.

In the first half with Holyhead first to show, Steve Matthews drilled a shot wide.

Owen was denied by a timely block by keeper Ben Jones and almost connected with a dangerous cross on the half hour.

At the other end, Dean Hardstaffe worked himself into a shooting position but Liam Shanahan saved well at the foot of the post and Craig Goodwin headed just over.

Neil Wynne wasted a couple of decent chances as the hosts pressed for the lead but it was the visitors who took control with a goal bang on half time.

Mike Kelly forced an error out of a defender who sliced his clearance straight at Ian Williams.

And with Jones off his line, Williams had the simple task of heading into an empty net.

The game continued at pace after the break with the hosts pushing more men forward and Holyhead countering with speed.

For Mynydd, Stuart Wood’s free-kick just cleared the bar and John Leonard sent an effort into the side netting.

And Holyhead were dealt a blow when Tomos Jones was sent off for dissent with 10 minutes to go.

The home side piled forward but it was Holyhead who looked like adding to their tally with Owen very effective on the break.

Frustration boiled over at the end when Isa’s Sam Pugh was dismissed for dangerous play as Hotspur held on to a valuable set of points.

Holyhead: Liam Shanahan, Tomos Jones, Gerallt Jones, Mike Kelly, Lee Webber, Jonathan Newell, Darren Garmey, Dean Garmey, Steve Matthews, Ian Williams, Kenleigh Owen.