Flashback – 5 years ago: Lewis treble clinches three more points for Wellmen

Holywell Town 4 (Steve Lewis 5, 42 & 45; Tom McElmeel 25 pen)
Gresford Athletic 0
Cymru Alliance – November 7, 2015

Five years ago this weekend hat-trick hero Steve Lewis inspired the Wellmen to a crushing victory.

This clash between the two form sides of the Huws Gray Alliance at this time was all over by the interval.

In the fifth minute Lewis opened the scoring when he cut inside a defender and curled a shot into the top corner past Jon Hill-Dunt, much to the delight of the home supporters.

Holywell were playing great football and the visitors were not getting a look in. With 25 minutes on the clock, the hosts doubled their lead.

Lewis, who was a handful for the Gresford defence, ran into the box and was brought down by Max Peate.

The referee pointed to the spot, Peate received his marching orders, and Tom McElmeel stepped up to take the spot kick and score.

The home side pressed for more goals and a good move saw Phil Lloyd shoot but Hill-Dunt saved well.

Gresford then attacked on the break and Andy Swarbrick had a shot saved one-handed by Mike Platt at his near post.

Paul Williams saw a fine strike pushed behind by Hill-Dunt and from the resulting corner, McElmeel flicked the ball on and it fell to Jonathon Jones whose shot was blocked for another corner. From this flag-kick, Lewis fired wide of the post.

In the closing minutes of the half, Gresford had produced an impressive move which saw Owen Roberts flick the ball on to Jack Mountford, whose run into the box resulted in a cross to the oncoming Roberts but his effort missed the target.

A minute later, Town added a third goal. Lloyd, who was having a great game, crossed inch-perfect to Lewis whose first time volley flew into the top corner.

It was soon 4-0 thanks to the same combination, Lewis grabbing his hat-trick, scoring at the far post from another great cross by Lloyd.

Half-time: Holywell 4 Gresford 0

The first chance of the second half fell to the Wellmen, as Dafydd Griffith headed over from a McElmeel free kick.

Graeme Williams then passed to Lloyd, whose shot was saved by Hill-Dunt.

Both teams had plenty of possession and a few chances were created at either end.

Owen Roberts had a long range effort fly over Platt’s goal and in the dying minutes, Holywell’s Connor Littler was foiled by Hill-Dunt.

There were no further goals and the Wellmen left the field to a standing ovation for a great performance.

Town moved into fourth in the table.

Holywell: Mike Platt, Paul D Williams, Josh Roberts, Tom McElmeel (John Leonard 80), Dafydd Griffith, Jonathon Jones, Steve Thomas, Tony Roebuck, Phil Lloyd (Stuart Hayes 75), Steve Lewis (Connor Littler 70), Graeme Williams.