Preview: Ynys Môn v Isle of Man (Island Games – Tuesday, July 11, 6.30 pm)
Ynys Môn’s men enter their final group game against Isle of Man tonight (Tuesday, 6.30 pm) well on course to reach the semi-finals of the 2023 Guernsey Island Games football competition.
Mel McGinness’ side top Group B/Group 2 after yesterday’s 5-1 thumping of the Falkland Islands made it back-to-back wins.
With Isle of Man, who won their first match against the Falklands, losing yesterday to Shetland Islands, who were beaten by Môn on Sunday, it means Anglesey head the group with six points.
IoM and Shetland have 3 points apiece, while Falklands lie bottom with nothing to show for their stoic efforts.
A draw tonight for Ynys Môn will ensure they win the group, but so superior is their goal difference, they could still finish at the peak even if they lose to Isle of Man.
Regardless, McGinness’ warriors will want to do it on their terms and get a positive result from this evening’s tussle at Blanche Pierre Lane.
Shetland play the Falklands at Northfield at the same time.
The semi-finals take place on Thursday and the finals on Friday.
Ynys Môn v Isle of Man – Island Games history
Anglesey and IoM have met four times in the Games and it stands at two wins apiece.
At Gibraltar in 1995, Môn won 2-0 with goals from Colin Redmayne and Darren Baker.
The teams clashed in the 1999 final in Gotland and a Steve Humphreys goal was enough to clinch a 1-0 victory and a first football gold medal for Anglesey.
Isle of Man beat Môn 2-1 at Guernsey in 2003 and defeated the Welsh 4-0 at Gotland in 2017.
YNYS MÔN v ISLE OF MAN – HEAD-TO-HEAD
Gibraltar 1995 (Môn finished sixth)
Isle of Man 0 Ynys Môn 2
Gotland 1999 (winners)
Final: Isle of Man 0 Ynys Môn 1
Guernsey 2003 (fifth place)
Ynys Môn 1 Isle of Man 2
Gotland 2017 (eighth place)
Isle of Man 4 Ynys Môn 0.
YNYS MÔN SQUAD
Carl Jones (Bangor 1876)
Dan McGinness (Trearddur Bay)
Gari Owen (Llangefni Town)
Tomos Clarke (Bangor 1876)
Cai Powell Roberts (Caernarfon Town)
Dion Evans (Glantraeth)
Gerwyn Roberts (Llangefni Town)
Sol Williams (Trearddur Bay)
Osian Jones (Mynydd Llandegai)
Cian Owen (Llanfairpwll)
Kaine Bentley (Trearddur Bay)
Jack Smith (Llangefni Town)
Sam Gregson (Holyhead Hotspur)
Jack Walsh (Holyhead Hotspur)
Mel McGinness (Trearddur Bay)
Liam Morris (Bangor 1876)
Matt Reynolds (Cemaes Bay)
Sam Jones (Bangor 1876)
Huw Shaw (Bangor 1876)
Manager: Mel McGinness
Assistant-Manager: Martin Jones
GK Coach: Gareth Aled Owen