One more hurdle Ynys Môn – you can do it!

TODAY’S LIVE COVERAGE

Live video on youtube;

https://www.youtube.com/@Guernsey2023

live audio commentary Cymru Sport;

https://cymrusport.cymru/

Can our lads do it? Of course they can.

There is no reason whatsoever why Ynys Môn’s men cannot win today’s 2023 Guernsey Island Games football final against Jersey (3.30 pm kick off).

Mel McGinness’ side have passed every test thrown at them in the tournament so far with flying colours.

They faced a really tough test in their opening group game against the Shetland Islands, but came out on top 2-0.

It was a slightly more straightforward task in the second game versus the Falkland Islands, Môn winning 5-1 despite falling behind to an early goal.

However, the final group tussle with Isle of Man saw Môn truly display their potential to win this tournament.

Trailing 1-0 after just four minutes, they conceded a penalty on seven, but Bangor 1876 keeper Carl Jones saved it.

Anglesey never looked back and two cracking goals from the outstanding Liam Morris put them 2-1 up at half time. It was a lead they were never to squander.

When the semi-final draw was announced, there was a feeling that Môn had been paired with the hardest task available against Bermuda, who had scored freely in winning all their group matches.

Yet again, though, that amazing work-rate and team spirit of the Welsh side came to the fore.

Jones kept out TWO first half penalties, while at the other end Matt Reynolds and Sam Gregson had put Môn 2-0 up.

In the second half, Anglesey’s magnificent defending made sure they did not concede and a place in the final was booked.

Belief has to be majorly high in the Môn camp now.

Mel McGinness has rotated his 19-man squad superbly, splitting the game time among the players perfectly.

Super-fit though they are, it has been one hellish ask to play four matches in five days, but Môn have prevailed magnificently.

It is the same punishing schedule for all the teams, but Môn has handled things as good as anyone and much better than most.

As always in a close-knit, equally talented squad it is difficult to select stand-out players, but pride of place must go to goalkeeper Carl Jones for his three penalty saves in the competition so far, as well as numerous other vital stops. He has won three out of four opposition man of the match awards so far.

Liam Morris is top-scorer with four goals and he deserved another one or two against Bermuda, but this left-footed wizard has carried on the form which played such a vital part in Bangor 1876’s promotion campaign.

It is fantastic to see Matt Reynolds, a tier 5 player last season with Cemaes Bay, prove he very much belongs in this company, scoring twice so far.

And Holyhead Hotspur must be delighted to have signed Sam Gregson for 2023-24, as the young midfielder has been immense in Guernsey, adding two goals to his superb performances.

As a defensive unit, Môn have excelled, conceding just two goals in four games. Their no-nonsense defending has cancelled out dangerous attacks and their height at the back has proved a major asset.

Jersey will be difficult opposition in the final. They have scored more goals than Môn in the tournament and are also on a winning streak.

It has all the makings of a great game, but this Ynys Môn squad, much-changed from the Inter-Games Tournament winners of four years ago, definitely have one more big performance in them.

I’ve always been proud to hail from Anglesey, but I’ve rarely felt as proud as I have these past few days, celebrating six wins out of seven games combined for the men’s and women’s teams in a really testing environment…..

Go for it lads – get what you truly deserve!