Match of the Day – Cymru North: Holywell beat Flint in Clash of the Titans
JD CYMRU NORTH
Holywell Town 1 (Breese 14)
Flint Town United 0
Attendance: 603
Life has been a ‘Breese’ for Holywell Town’s new striker since he joined the club last month.
Jamie Breese has scored six goals in as many games following his move to the Wellmen from Llanidloes Town – and today he netted his most crucial yet as he struck for the fourth match in succession.
The 32-year-old former Caernarfon Town and Newtown front man bagged a 14th minute decider as Holywell beat Flint at the Achieve More Training Stadium to leapfrog their rivals into second place in Cymru North.
It was an eighth straight league success for Johnny Haseldin’s side, who are just two points behind leaders Airbus UK Broughton with three games in hand.
The home side had the better of the early exchanges, Gareth Evans firing wide of Rhys Williams’ goal.
The deadlock was broken just before the quarter-hour when Morgan Murray’s shot was turned in by Breese to give Holywell the lead.
Great play by Ryan Edwards nearly brought a second, but his fierce shot flew inches wide.
The Silkmen then had a good spell of pressure, Lewis Sirrell with a fine header which was deflected over the crossbar.
It was end to end stuff now and Breese got the ball off Solomon Forde on the edge of the box, burst forward and his low cross was met by Danny Andrews, who was unable to hit the target.
With half an hour played, Flint’s Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro had a shot on goal but Shaun Pearson easily gathered.
The Wellmen could have doubled their lead moments later, the dangerous Breese breaking down the middle before laying off to Andrews but his shot was saved well by Williams.
The rebound found Brady McGilloway, whose header was kept out, then the ball was cleared as McGilloway attempted to head into an empty net.
Silkmen striker Elliott Reeves was through on goal and Pearson saved well. The rebound found Reeves again and his low shot was blocked by Mike Pearson and as he lay on the floor.
The defender somehow headed the ball away from goal in what turned out to be the last play of the half.
HALF-TIME: Holywell 1-0 Flint
Early in the second half, a chance fell to Flint’s Daniel Harrison, who was denied by keeper Pearson’s legs.
Then the Wellmen went up the other end and nearly scored themselves, Breese through one on one but Williams pulled off a superb stop.
Reeves had a shot which Evans did well to block, then moments later, Jake Phillips lashed over the bar.
Both Phillips and Breese went close in quick succession at either end.
The game was in injury time and Flint were throwing everything at the Wellmen looking for the equaliser.
It very nearly came as Patrick Lacey’s header somehow trickled inches wide.
The Wellmen held firm, the referee blew for full time and it was bragging rights to the hosts.
TEAMS
Holywell Town
Shaun Pearson
Gareth Evans
Danny Sullivan
Danny Andrews (c – Jack Pennington 90+5)
Michael Pearson
Brady McGilloway
Beau Cornish (Mark Winsdale 72)
Jamie Breese (Julian Williams 90+1)
Myles Hart
Morgan Murray
Ryan Edwards
Flint Town United
Rhys Williams
Sol Forde
Joe Williams (Ben Hughes 74)
Anthony Stephens
Lewis Sirrell
Danny Harrison (Josh Jones 64)
Jake Phillips
Patrick Lacey
Elliott Reeves
Ben Wynne
Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro (Harley Brindley-Peagram 81)