Cymru North – superb result for Holywell, great effort from Gresford

JD CYMRU NORTH – FRIDAY, JANUARY 21

Llandudno 0
Holywell Town 2 (Sullivan 13, Andrews 20)

Ten-man Holywell produced a superb performance to take maximum points from last night’s visit to second-place Llandudno.

The Wellmen made it seven matches unbeaten – five of them wins – and continued their steady climb up the Cymru North table.

Johnny Haseldin’s men made the better start and threatened early when Dave Forbes’ goal bound header from a corner was palmed around the post by Shaun Pearson.

Soon after, Dylan Allshorn’s low shot across goal missed the far post by inches. Danny Andrews’ effort was then saved well by Pearson.

With 13 minutes played, Town broke the deadlock. Andrews won a free kick and his inch-perfect delivery was headed home by Danny Sullivan.

Seven minutes later, the vociferous contingent of Holywell fans who had travelled down the coast to Maesdu Park had even more reason to celebrate.

A great move down the left saw Allshorn beat a couple of challenges, cut inside and send a precision low cross into the box for Andrews to side-foot home.

Llandudno felt hard done by with 30 minutes played, as they thought they should have had a penalty.

Shaun Cavanagh was through on goal, keeper Keighan Jones came out to gather at the feet of the striker, who fell to the ground, but the referee signaled play on.

The home side very nearly pulled one back on the stroke of half time, when Danny Brookwell’s strike beat Jones, but Dave Hayes cleared the ball off the line.

Half-time: LLANDUDNO 0 HOLYWELL 2

Disaster struck for the Wellmen seven minutes into the second half as debutant Kai Wallis was shown a second yellow and sent for an early shower.

With the advantage of the extra man, Llandudno upped the pressure and Marc Williams fired the ball home but the assistant-referee had flagged for offside.

Despite being a man down, the visitors were not afraid to chase a third goal and so nearly got it when Forbes nodded against the crossbar.

Town were forced into a substitution on 67 minutes as captain James Graham was stretchered off with a suspected knee injury. Graham was having a great game up to then and was replaced by Alec Williams.

Another great move from Town saw Zebb Edwards’ shot blocked, the ball fell to Andrews, whose attempt was brilliantly saved from close range by Pearson, and the rebound came to Forbes but his effort was stopped on the line by James Smith.

With the home side pressing, chances still came for the Wellmen up the other end, Forbes and Andrews again going close, but unable to add to the goal tally.

A truly great result for Haseldin’s heroes.

TEAMS

Llandudno: Shaun Pearson, John Bennett (Aaron Rogers 89), James Smith, Guto Williams, Gareth Evans, Danny Hughes, Dean Seager. (Max Moore 79) Shaun Cavanagh, Matthew Mullender (Aron Hughes-Jones 66), Danny Brookwell, Marc Williams.

Holywell: Keighan Jones, Jake Cooke, Zebb Edwards, James Graham (Alec Williams 66), Danny Sullivan, Tom Bibby, Danny Andrews, Dylan Allshorn, Dave Forbes (Luke Wiltshire 90+3), David Hayes, Kai Wallis.

Holywell’s magnificent seven – 17 points out of a possible 21

Jan 21: Llandudno (a) 2-0
Dec 17: Buckley Town (a) 3-3
Dec 4: Llanidloes Town (a) 1-1
Nov 20: Penrhyncoch (h) 5-0
Nov 6: Conwy Borough (a) 4-1
Oct 30: Ruthin Town (a) 3-2
Oct 23: Llangefni Town (h) 5-1

Great point for Gresford

Guilsfield 0
Gresford Athletic 0

Guilsfield stretched their season-long unbeaten league record to 17 matches, but Gresford came away with an excellent point from the Community Centre Ground.

The first half was very even, with nothing to separate the two sides, despite both having chances to take the lead.

It was Gresford who came closest, as a rebounded Alex Buxton shot in added time was turned into the net by Joe Chaplin, but he was ruled offside.

Guilsfield showed their quality in the second half, applying the pressure on Athletic throughout.

They almost went ahead when they hit the crossbar in the 49th minute, but could not find a way through.

Gresford showed determination and their great, battling performance delivered a result they can be happy with on their return to competitive football action.

Nathan Williams earned the man of the match award for a good, solid display, helping towards keeping a clean sheet.