Glantraeth 2-1 Holywell Town

Holywell Town travelled to Anglesey looking for a win to take a step closer to be crowned Welsh Alliance Champions, but Glantraeth had other ideas!

With the wind behind them, the game started well for Town as Phil Lloyd broke free and saw that the Glantraeth keeper James Stewart was off his line and his deft chip fell the wrong side of the post. A few minutes later, it was Stuart Hayes turn in a similar position and his chip also went inches wide of the post. Glantraeth then had an effort go close as Craig Roberts saw his shot fly past Mike Platt’s far post. A short time later, Roberts again had as shot on goal but Platt gathered the ball well.

Glantraeth then had Stewart to thank that they didn’t fall behind after Stuart Hayes lay the ball off for John Leonard and as he broke into the box, he watched as his shot was brilliantly palmed away by Stewart for a corner. Miraculously, Glantraeth managed to keep the scores at 0-0 with some brilliant defending. First, Phil Lloyd had his shot blocked on the line, and the rebound fell to Hayes and his shot was blocked by Rory Courlander before being cleared to keep the scores at 0-0.

All the pressure on Glantraeth’s goal paid off for the Wellmen a few minutes later as Town took the lead. Graeme Williams passed the ball through the Glantraeth defence and Tom McElmeel ran to collect and he managed to round the advancing keeper before sliding the ball home to an empty net, much to the delight of the travelling fans. Town went in search of a second goal and with only a few minutes of the half remaining, Paul Williams broke clear but his shot hit the side netting of Stewarts goal. Sturat Hayes then had a shot blocked by the keepers legs after being put in and in the last effort of the half, McElmeel nearly added his second goal of the game but his free kick went inches wide of Stewart’s post.

The Second half started the same way as the first ended with Town putting pressure on the hosts goal. Phil Lloyd shot flew past the near post and Hayes had an effort saved well by Stewart. As the game went on, Glantraeth grew more into the game and Mike Platt was forced to punch a cross over the bar with Glantraeth’s James Burgess ready to pounce on the loose ball. Craig Roberts and Sean Davies both went close before McElmeel used great strength to break clear from the middle of the pitch and his shot was blocked by Gareth Owen then his follow up was saved easily by Stewart.

Glantraeth had their best chance of the afternoon just after the hour mark as Craig Roberts broke through and his shot was blocked excellently by Platt. A minute later however, Glantraeth equalised. A cross over from the right found the head of Sean Davies who headed past Platt. Burgess and Roberts then went close for the hosts before another strong run from McElmeel saw him pass the ball to Stuart Hayes but his effort was blocked before Phil Lloyd picked up the loose ball and his shot was saved by the keeper. Luke Tyson then threaded the ball through to Hayes but his shot went wide of the post. Roberts then went close for Glantraeth making Platt save with his legs before Glantraeth took a deserved lead.

A cross though to Neil Hughes saw him break into the box and his shot was brilliantly saved one handed by Platt but the ball fell to James Burgess who fired home to give the hosts a deserved lead. Town went in search of the equaliser, with Graham Boylan having his shot saved before Lloyd again fired inches past the post. Platt was called into action during injury time but the game ended with Glantraeth recording a 2-1 win, and in turn ending Town’s unbeaten run for the season. It was definitely a game of two halves and a below par Holywell Town couldn’t complain about the result. Town will now need to pick themselves up ahead of next Saturday’s FAW Trophy game against Abergavenny and will have to get the result out of the system asap. Despite the disappointment of being beaten and the unbeaten run ending, Town can take great pride in the achievement to last until Mid March unbeaten which is a great feat in itself!