Cymru North – Liam Morris at the double as Hotspur pick up crucial win in Powys

JD CYMRU NORTH – NOVEMBER 27, 2021

Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant 0
Holyhead Hotspur 3 (Morris 56 & 90+3; Gibbs 83)

Liam Morris made it seven goals in five games with a double for a Hotspur side which ended a run of three straight defeats with a big three points in Powys.

The 22-year-old Morris, who scored in the final when Ynys Môn won gold at the Inter-Island Games in 2019, has been in outstanding form of late for his club.

Two goals at the Recreation Field on Saturday boosted Morris’ total for the season to 10, nine of them in Cymru North matches. He has netted in five games on the bounce.

Darren Garmey’s Hotspur side are now up to ninth in the table after completing a double over Llanrhaeadr, who they beat 2-1 at the New Stadium last month.

The Holyhead boss was less than happy after his team’s previous display in a 5-1 defeat at Prestatyn Town seven days earlier.

Garmey said in the build-up to Saturday’s game that nothing less than a win would do at rock-bottom and winless Llanrhaeadr, and his men delivered the goods.

“We wanted a reaction after last week and we certainly got it today,” added the manager. “The conditions were tough but we played them well.

“What pleased us most today is the way we got back to basics, out-battled them all over the pitch and we got our rewards for that.”

Playing against the wind in the first half, Holyhead were unable to create much, Jay Gibbs with their best effort.

Half-time: 0-0

The second half was one-way traffic in favour of the Holy Islanders, with Gibbs at the centre of everything. 

James Hayns in the home goal was made to work overtime in spells to keep his team in the contest.

On 56 minutes came the breakthrough. Morris pounced on a heavy touch by the keeper to finish following a good press from Hotspur with the wind at their backs.

Gibbs went on to hit the underside of the crossbar, while Rob Jones shot just wide after latching onto a Dean Garmey through ball.

Seven minutes from time, Gibbs was rewarded for an all-action display by making it 2-0.

The midfield ace then hit the post from a free kick before his defence-splitting pass released Morris to apply a composed finish past the advancing Hayns.

TEAMS

Llanrhaeadr

James Hayns, Chris Aitken, Daniel Kelly, Sam Thomas, Khyam Wyton, Rob Shone, Gus Harris, Harrison Lewis (Marc Griffiths 69), Matty Williams, Joe Vaughan, Iain Edmunds.

Holyhead Hotspur

Alex Lynch, Cai Powell-Roberts, Adam Pritchard, Luke Roberts, Alex Jones, Harry Lewis, Dafydd Jones (Leon Doran 83), Dean Garmey (N/A 90+2), Liam Morris, Jay Gibbs, Robert Jones. 

Subs: Paul Pritchard, Kenleigh Owen, Mike Kelly.