Five-star Ynys Môn on course for the semi-finals after making it back-to-back group wins

GUERNSEY ISLAND GAMES 2023
MEN’S FOOTBALL GROUP B

Ynys Môn 5 (Liam Morris 24, Sam Gregson 29, Sam Jones 30, Matt Reynolds 35, Kaine Bentley 76)
Falkland Islands 1 (Andres Balladares 4)

Ynys Môn are in command of Group B and took a big step towards the semi-finals after a thumping victory over Falkland Islands this evening.

Mel McGinness’ side made it back-to-back wins and now head the group on six points with a 100 percent record..

Isle of Man lost 3-2 to Shetland Islands today, so both those teams are on three points apiece, with Falklands bottom on zero.

IoM have to beat Ynys Môn tomorrow to stand any chance of making the last four, with Shetlands big favourites to see off the Falklands.

Despite falling behind early at Corbet Field, Anglesey recovered to take their opponents to the cleaners.

The Falklands took a fourth minute lead with a magnificent free kick from Andres Balladares.

Môn never panicked and were soon creating chances in abundance.

One off was cleared off the line by Falklands captain Josh Peck before the inevitable equaliser arrived in the 24th minute.

Bangor 1876 forward Liam Morris got the decisive touch when a set-piece was played into the box.

Five minutes later it was 2-1. The ball came into the area for Morris, who looked to have lost the chance, but he retrieved the ball and enabled Sam Gregson to score for the second game in a row.

And within a minute it was 3-1. Sam Jones’ first shot was blocked, but he had the wherewithal to compose himself and fire in at the second attempt.

It was all Môn, and in the 35th minute Cemaes Bay striker Matt Reynolds, in his first Island Games, added a fourth after keeper Ross Peters was guilty of indecision.

The second half was much of the same – the Welsh team dominating but this time without as many goals.

Carl Jones had a much quieter game in the Môn goal than he did versus the Shetlands the night before.

Anglesey’s defence was rock solid and they were always a threat going forward.

A deserved fifth arrived on 76 minutes when youngster Kaine Bentley of Trearddur Bay twisted and turned on the edge of the box and drilled in for 5-1.

Ynys Mon: Carl Jones, Gari Owen, Cai Powell-Roberts, Jack Walsh (Cian Owen), Tomos Clarke, Jack Smith, Sam Gregson, Liam Morris, Sam Jones (Kaine Bentley), Matt Reynolds, Dan McGinness (Dion Evans 37),

FIXTURES

TUESDAY, JULY 11

6.30 pm: Falkland Islands v Shetland Islands
6.30 pm: Isle of Man v Ynys Mon