Cymru North – late Tom Bibby header makes it back-to-back wins for Holywell over Guilsfield

JD CYMRU NORTH – FEBRUARY 5, 2022

Guilsfield 1 (Daykin 30)
Holywell Town 2 (Edwards 45+1, Bibby 90+)

Two games ago Guilsfield were unbeaten all season in 17 league starts, but now they have lost two in a row – both against Holywell.

An added time bullet header from new sensation Tom Bibby clinched a 2-1 success for the Wellmen at the Community Centre Ground on Saturday.

That result followed a 3-0 triumph over Guils seven days earlier at Halkyn Road.

Saturday’s return in Powys saw Guilsfield keeper Michael Jones called into action early, having to sprint out to clear a dangerous ball upfield with Danny Andrews chasing.

Home striker Iwan Matthews found the net a few minutes later, but had impeded Jake Cooke in the build up and the goal was disallowed.

The first real chance fell to the hosts. A good throw-in from the right found Jolyon Harries, but his glancing header fell wide of Keighan Jones’ left-hand post.

On the half hour mark, the home side took the lead. The ball was rolled across the pitch to Morgan Daykin, and his effort with the outside of his boot found the top corner.

Town looked to get back into the game, but chances were few and far between given the poor weather conditions.

The visitors were indebted to Keighan Jones for a good save from substitute James Hyne’s free kick.

With the first half entering injury time, Holywell’s Cooke went on a great run to the byline and his cross was blocked for a corner.

From the flag-kick, a great ball in by Andrews found Zebb Edwards, whose overhead bicycle kick found the back of the net to level the scores.

Half-time: 1-1

At the start of the second half Guilsfield’s Iwan Matthews was clean through but blazed the ball wide.

Cooke was denied by keeper Jones and was unable to get the rebound on target. Dave Forbes’ cross back into the box was then cleared to safety with Ben Brierley ready to pounce.

Town then brought on Connor Shackleton for his debut, replacing Brierley.

A few minutes later, Harries fluffed a good chance for the home side.

Holywell’s Dylan Allshorn was getting a lot of the ball and another fine run saw him pass to Bibby, whose cross was pushed onto the crossbar by keeper Jones, who soon after performed marvels to foil Cooke.

The home side piled on the pressure looking to grab a winner and as the game entered the final five minutes, sub Adam Jenkins should have done better but fired wide.

Late on, Cooke’s low shot was pushed behind for a corner.

Andrews delivered and his inswinging cross found Bibby, whose rocket header clinched the game.