Flashback – 5 years ago: Holywell’s performance at Rhayader worth more than a point

Rhayader Town 1 (Griffiths 44)
Holywell Town 1 (Griffith 56)
Cymru Alliance – February 13, 2016

The Wellmen should have taken more than a point from their long journey to Mid Wales to face second-from-bottom Rhayader.

In this Cymru Alliance tussle played five years ago today, Paul Turner saved well for the visitors before a great move by the Flintshire side involving Steve Thomas, Tony Roebuck, Luke Douglas and Graeme Williams saw the keeper drop the latter’s cross for a corner.

The resulting delivery saw the travellers go close but the ball went out for a goal kick.

Tom Rowlands, recently signed from Conwy, had a shot saved by Ash Roberts in the Rhayader goal.

The Powys outfit then broke upfield and Dane Griffiths’ effort was cleared by Thomas but only into the path of Sean Powell, who blazed the ball over.

That was a massive let-off for the Wellmen and up the other end, a dangerous Thomas free kick into the box saw Phil Lloyd rise to head goalwards but the ball flew inches over the crossbar.

Holywell had another good chance as Rowlands found himself in the box, and twisted and turned well to get a shot in, but Roberts got down low to palm the ball one-handed away for a corner.

Soon after the hosts broke clear and Griffiths advanced, but Turner saved his shot.

A minute later however, the home side took the lead from a corner, as Griffiths tapped in at the near post on the stroke of the interval.

Half-time: Rhayader 1 Holywell 0

The second half started brightly for the Wellmen, Graeme Williams’ free kick blocked by the defence and Luke Douglas saw his follow up shot go over the crossbar.

A few minutes later, Johnny Haseldin’s side got the deserved equaliser. A corner from the left flew to the back post and Dafydd Griffith was on hand to head home to level the scores.

Lloyd then saw a shot deflected wide of Roberts’ post before Connor Littler had an effort saved. Tony Roebuck soon blasted a long range effort inches wide.

Thomas whipped in another great free kick and Griffith headed the ball back across goal, but Lloyd’s overhead attempt was blocked and cleared.

Town then had the ball in the net through Lloyd’s header but the linesman deemed he was offside.

Holywell sub Paul Williams, making a welcome return to the side after being out for a few months injured, crossed the ball over towards Littler who watched his effort go over the bar.

The home side were reduced to 10 men as Christian Jones was shown the red card for a challenge on Roebuck.

Holywell’s victory hopes rose, but a few minutes later, the referee blew for full time and the visitors had picked up a point. On chances and possession, it should have been all three.

Holywell: Paul Turner, Luke Douglas, Paul D Williams (Paul Williams 80). Graeme Williams, Dafydd Griffith, Jonathan Jones, Tom Rowlands (Brady McGilloway 70), Tony Roebuck, Phil Lloyd, Connor Littler, Steve Thomas. Unused subs: Josh Maldon, Brett Cotton, John Leonard.

Many thanks to Steve Roberts of Holywell Town for the report and photograph