Morris double and Jones penalty save help Ynys Môn into Island Games football semis

GUERNSEY ISLAND GAMES 2023
MEN’S FOOTBALL GROUP B

Ynys Môn 2 (Liam Morris 11, 44)
Isle of Man 1 (Josh Ridings 4)

Mel McGinness’ Ynys Môn warriors are into the 2023 Island Games football semi-finals after finishing top of their group in glorious fashion with a 100 percent record.

Anglesey fought back from conceding an early goal this evening to beat Isle of Man 2-1 thanks to a double from the red-hot Liam Morris.

Morris made it four goals in three games and has netted in every match of the tournament so far.

Already with one foot in the semis after seeing off Shetland Islands 2-0 and Falkland Islands 5-1, Môn needed just a draw to make the last four, but instead claimed their first victory over IoM at the Island Games since the 1999 final in Gotland.

Anglesey also took a 3-2 lead in the sequence of matches against the Manx men at the Games going back to 1995.

Like in their clash with the Falkland Islands, Ynys Môn fell a goal behind after four minutes, Josh Ridings converting from a Phil Kelly cross.

A crucial moment came in the seventh minute when Brody Patience earned a penalty for IoM, but his kick was superbly saved by Carl Jones.

Ynys Môn were under the cosh, but just as occurred against the Falklands, the Welsh side stayed calm and composed and were soon applying the pressure.

It was all-square in the 11th minute when a weak goal kick from Glenn Walker was intercepted in lightning fashion by Sam Jones, and Morris drilled powerfully into the bottom right-hand corner.

In blustery conditions, Anglesey stayed on top, Jack Smith firing just wide before Walker denied Morris and Sam Jones blasted over.

It was no surprise when Ynys Môn made it 2-1 in the 44th minute.

Môn won the ball brilliantly in midfield and a tremendous pass released Bangor 1876 star Morris, who raced into the box and shot inside the far post across keeper Walker.

Ynys Môn continued to create more openings in the second half, Sam Jones thwarted by the feet of Walker, who then produced a great tip-over to foil the same player.

While IoM, who needed a win to have a chance of progression, searched for an equaliser they could not get past a solid Ynys Môn defence.

So three wins out of three for Mel’s Marauders – onto the semis! Amazing stuff lads.