Football: Kelly bags winner in Holyhead Hotspur FC victory

Oct 22 2008 by Dave Jones, Holyhead and Anglesey Mail

MIKE Kelly is often the unsung hero for Holyhead but he was the main man this time with a winning goal in the 90th minute at the Community Centre Ground.

But he was unable to see out the game, needing treatment for a gash on the head picked up when his team-mates jumped on top of him in a more than enthusiastic goal celebration.

The winning goal came only two minutes after Marc Evans had brought the Harbourmen level following non-stop second half pressure.

Up to then the visitors had struggled to break down the resilient hosts leading the fans to believe that the dreaded curse of the Manager of the Month award, given to Campbell Harrison before kick-off, would strike again and end Holyhead’s long run of success.

Hotspur started well with a Lee Webber shot which was deflected over before Curt Williams dragged an effort wide from a good position.

Mike Edwards and centre-half Webber then went close but the visitors were struggling to produce their usual, flowing game on the uneven pitch and Guilsfield posed more of a threat as the half wore on.

The home side showed their intent on 23 minutes when Carl Lewis clipped the outside of the post with a stunning free-kick from the edge of the area and took the lead four minutes later.

It came from another set piece by Gareth R H Jones, keeper Mike Doutch failing to gather cleanly and Simon Edwards heading in the loose ball.

Ian Williams was denied by a timely block by keeper Dave Littleford as the islanders tried to get back on level terms but they nearly fell further behind when Dan Graham missed a similar chance.

Stung into action, Holyhead shifted up a couple of gears after the break with Ian Williams hooking an effort just wide before Kenleigh Owen’s deflected shot drifted off target. Curt Williams then sent a glancing header agonisingly wide.

Evans and Ian Williams were next up with hard luck stories and it just did not seem to be Hotspur’s day when Webber headed just off radar.

But the islanders got their reward with two minutes of normal time left.

Owen’s corner was only cleared to the far post where Evans, with little to aim at, somehow squeezed a finish into the far corner for his 15th goal this season.

And they continued to bomb forward, producing the perfect finish when Kelly stooped to head in the winner after good work down the right by Curt Williams.

The win keeps Hotspur three points clear at the Cymru Alliance summit, but Bala Town would have taken over on goal difference last night if they beat Gresford.

This Saturday Holyhead face a tricky home assignment against much improved Buckley Town.

Holyhead: Mike Doutch, Steve Matthews, Gerallt Jones, Mike Kelly, Lee Webber, Tomos Jones, Darren Garmey, Kenleigh Owen, Curt Williams, Ian Williams, Mike Edwards. Playing subs: Marc Evans, Dave Cashman.