Match of the Day: Hotspur run out deserved winners as they shock leaders Rhyl

ARDAL NORTH WEST TABLE – MARCH 16

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 0
Holyhead Hotspur 1 (C Williams 74)

Report from Belle Vue by Dave Jones

While Rhyl 1879 played nothing like a team 11 points clear at the top of the table, visitors Holyhead Hotspur ran out richly deserved winners at Belle Vue.

Had the Holy Islanders taken more of their chances, it could have been a much bigger victory for a team which gained revenge for a 4-1 home defeat to the Lilywhites in September.

Rhyl were poor. They struggled to string passes together and gave the ball away alarmingly often.

It was only in the latter stages, when they were chasing the game, that Gareth Thomas’ side looked remotely like scoring.

Darren Garmey’s Hotspur put in a tremendous shift from 1-11. Regardless of the wind, they did the majority of attacking in each half.

The visitors had the first major effort on goal in the 19th minute when midfielder Jack Walsh’s fierce 20-yard drive was tipped over by Ryan Woods.

Kyle Murphy sliced off target from a good position on 34 minutes and Cory Williams’ strike across the face of goal was deflected wide in first half added time.

Two minutes into the second half, Williams curled a lovely effort beyond Woods, but it clipped the bar.

Rhyl’s first goal attempt of the match did not arrive until the 55th minute, Sam Ashton blasting well over.

Hotspur looked set to score when Kane Roberts was put clean through on goal in the 56th minute.

Keeper Woods raced off his line, forced Roberts wide and defender Kieran Baker was able to clear the danger.

James Cairns cut in from the left for the hosts, but his on-target blast was comfortably held by keeper Guto Hughes.

From a drop-ball, Rhyl’s Reece Fairhurst delivered long into the path of Mark Roberts, but Hughes got down well to save.

Holyhead went close again when Alex Jones met a Roberts corner with a back-post header, but the home side blocked on the line and cleared.

With the excellent Shay Murphy looking increasingly dangerous, it was no surprise when Hotspur took a 74th minute lead.

Roberts sent in a great cross from the right and Williams volleyed in his 18th goal of the season.

Rhyl finally upped their game, Callum Parry denied by Hughes in a one-on-one before Mark Roberts’ shot from the rebound was blocked and sub Jonny Taylor lashed off target.

Roberts should have made it safe for Hotspur when he was through on goal again with just Woods in his path, but the impressive 25-year-old lobbed the keeper only to miss the target.

Rhyl still had time to miss a sitter before Taylor’s last-gasp free kick clattered the top of the bar.

Hotspur celebrated heartily at the final whistle and they deserved to. They are now up to sixth and sit just three points off second place.

If Rhyl want to stay in command of the title race they cannot afford many more performances like this.

RHYL 1879

Ryan Woods, Kieran Baker (Oliver Buckley 80), Casey Faoulker, James Jones, Reece Fairhurst, James Hay (Jonny Taylor 63), Sam Ashton, Ollie Staveley (Meirion Pughe 80), Mark Roberts (Luke Griffin 85), Callum Parry, James Cairns

HOLYHEAD HOTSPUR

Guto Hughes, Harry Lewis, Kyle Murphy, Tomos Owen, Alex Jones, Jamie Pick, Mitch Jones, Jack Walsh, Cory Williams, Kane Roberts, Shay Murphy.