Football: Pentwyn Dynamos next for Holyhead Hotspur FC

Oct 8 2008 By Dave Jones

HOLYHEAD HOTSPUR 2 LLAY WELFARE 1

WELSH CUP SECOND ROUND

A LATE penalty by Darren Garmey gave Holyhead a third round spot in the Welsh Cup after they made hard work of a tricky tie against Llay.

And the good news for Hotspur is they are home again in the next stage to Welsh Football League Division Two outfit Pentwyn Dynamos.

The Cardiff-based club were promoted from division three last season, but on status and current form Hotspur will be favourites to go through.

The howling wind and driving rain did not help either side at the New Stadium on Saturday, neither did the over zealous refereeing which saw two players sent off – the penalty scorer’s brother, Dean, for the Harbourmen, while Llay’s David Massey was dismissed in stoppage time.

With the elements in their favour in the first half, Holyhead were in complete control against the Welsh National League (Wrexham area) outfit but failed to take full advantage of the conditions, scoring just the one goal.

Curt Williams and Mike Edwards fired early efforts just over before the hosts took a deserved lead on 17 minutes.

Keeper Kevin Jones flapped at a corner and Hotspur skipper Lee Webber pounced to hook the ball in from a couple of yards.

Holyhead continued to press with Dean Garmey and Kenleigh Owen just off target while the latter also saw a shot deflected on to the bar.

The hard-working Williams then headed over before centre-back Webber was denied a second by the linesman’s assistant who flagged for offside.

With conditions worsening in the second half, Hotspur were dealt a blow when Garmey was red carded for the use of an arm while making a challenge.

Campbell Harrison, Cymru Alliance Manager of the Month for September, responded by taking striker Ian Williams off and bolstering midfield with the introduction of Darren Garmey.

Llay sensed that they could make a game of it with Jason Jones sending a snapshot just wide.

And they drew level on 65 minutes, Mariousz Prochenka with a stunning 20-yard strike which beat Liam Shanahan all the way.

It was anyone’s game at this stage but the decisive moment came with nine minutes to go, the referee pointing to the spot after a challenge on Mike Kelly by the keeper.

It was a harsh decision but that was of no concern to Darren Garmey who thundered the ball home.

There was still time for more drama, Massey ordered off the pitch for dissent before the industrious Curt Williams just failed to get on the end of a cross from the right by Edwards.

Holyhead: Liam Shanahan, Steve Mathews, Gerallt Jones, Dean Garmey, Lee Webber, Tomos Jones, Mike Kelly, Kenleigh Owen, Curt Williams, Ian Williams, Mike Edwards. Playing subs: Darren Garmey, Marc Evans.