Winning start for Ynys Môn’s men at Island Games football tournament

Ynys Mon enjoyed a winning start. Picture: YMIGA Twitter – with thanks

GUERNSEY ISLAND GAMES 2023
MEN’S FOOTBALL GROUP B

Ynys Môn 2 (Morris 2, Gregson 82)
Shetland Islands 0

Ynys Môn came through a tough test to begin their Island Games campaign with a win thanks to goals from Liam Morris and new Holyhead Hotspur signing Sam Gregson.

Anglesey started Sunday evening’s Group B clash on the front foot and had a dream start when they grabbed a second-minute lead.

There was a hint of offside when Bangor 1876’s Morris applied the finish, but after a quick consultation with his assistant, the referee awarded a goal.

Shetland Isles responded well and a firm shot from Ronan Grant was well dealt with by keeper Carl Jones.

Bangor 1876 keeper Jones was a true hero when he produced a triple save on the half-hour, his first stop from Grant’s piledriver in particular outstanding.

Morris threatened a second for the Welsh team when he broke on the left, but his shot from a narrow angle was kept out by keeper Andrew Goodlad.

It was a fiercely competitive first half with both defences performing well.

Jones continued his great display with a last-gasp save just before the hour.

At the other end, Morris went down in the box but was yellow-carded for simulation.

Anglesey had a good chance of a second on 73 minutes when Gerwyn Roberts had a clear sight of goal, but skewed off target.

A second goal was needed to clinch it for Ynys Môn and it came on 82 minutes when a brilliant corner from the left to the back post was headed home powerfully by Gregson.

Ynys Môn: Carl Jones, Gari Owen, Dan McGinness, Cai Powell-Roberts, Osian Jones, Tom Clarke, Gerwyn Roberts, Liam Morris, Sam Gregson, Jack Walsh, Sam Jones. SUBS USED: Matt Reynolds, Jack Smith, Kaine Bentley, Dion Evans, Cian Owen.