Football: Holyhead Hotspur FC go top of the table

Oct 1 2008 By Dave Jones

HOLYHEAD HOTSPUR FC 1 MYNYDD ISA 0

CYMRU ALLIANCE

A FIFTH straight win has taken hard-working Holyhead to the top of the Cymru Alliance table.

An early strike by Ian Williams was the difference between the sides on the day with Mynydd Isa giving Hotspur another tough test a couple of weeks after their Welsh Cup meeting.

And with title rivals Bala Town losing at home to Llangefni Town, Campbell Harrison’s men are now three points clear.

After a nip and tuck start the hosts went close through Curt Williams before surging ahead on 10 minutes.

Curt Williams picked out Ian Williams and the striker found the corner of the net with a clinical finish as keeper Stuart McIntosh raced off his line.

Three minutes later the same two combined again but the pacy forward – in for leading scorer Marc Evans who was unavailable – was denied by the keeper this time around.

Mynydd Isa began to enjoy more possession but the Holyhead defence was well-marshalled and on 26 minutes a Mike Edwards cross was put into Ian Williams’ path by Kenleigh Owen but the shot was blocked.

Dean Hardstaff nearly equalised just after the break before Ian Williams pulled up with a leg injury and had to be replaced by assistant manager Mark Williams.

And he was quickly involved, releasing Owen in a one-on-one with the keeper who did well to save with his legs.

Mark Williams was looking lively with another shot blocked by the keeper while the industrious Curt Williams did well to set up Owen whose effort was deflected for a corner.

Holyhead badly needed a two-goal cushion as the visitors continued to press with a Stuart Wood free-kick which sailed inches wide while Hardstaff was played through only to be foiled by a well-timed save by Shanahan.

And they nearly nicked a point at the death when Hardstaff was put clear again but Shanahan came to the rescue with a brilliant point-blank save to seal the win.

Holyhead: Liam Shanahan, Steve Matthews, Gerallt Jones, Mike Kelly, Lee Webber, Tomos Jones, Dean Garmey, Kenleigh Owen, Curt Williams, Ian Williams, Mike Edwards. Playing Subs: Darren Garmey, Mark Williams.

Holyhead Hotspur are home to Llay Welfare this Saturday in the Welsh Cup second round. Llay currently lie fourth in the Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) Premier Division – a level below the Harbourmen.

Welfare played another Anglesey side in the previous round, hammering Amlwch Town 7-1.