MATCH OF THE DAY 2: Holywell hat-trick hero Ilan Ap Gareth redefines term ‘super sub’

JD CYMRU NORTH – JANUARY 4, 2025

Denbigh Town 2 (Beaumont 18, Brown 31)
Holywell Town 4 (Cooke 57, Ilan Ap Gareth 60, 75 & 84)

There are great comebacks and then there are out of this world comebacks.

Ilan Ap Gareth’s spectacular return for Holywell on Saturday definitely falls into the second category.

The 25-year-old midfielder only rejoined the Wellmen in midweek after starting the campaign at Gresford Athletic, but there was no gentle reintroduction as second half substitute Ilan scored a hat-trick for a visiting side which turned around a two-goal interval deficit to grab maximum points at Central Park.

Denbigh began at a good pace, striker Owen Davies denied one on one by keeper Ryan Woods on six minutes.

Nathan Brown’s free kick rattled the left post as the hosts continued their strong start.

Denbigh finally took the lead on 18 minutes. A cross from the right was cleared only as far as debutant Bobby Beaumont, who hit it first time on the edge of the box into the bottom right corner.

On 31 minutes, the home score was doubled. Davies did well to trap the ball before finding Brown, who spotted a gap from range and fired well into the bottom left corner.

Half-Time: Denbigh Town 2-0 Holywell Town

Just moments into the second half Denbigh almost made it job done when Brown drew the keeper into a smart save via a shot from distance before minutes later Sam Duffy’s 25-yarder was tipped over the bar.

Despite being under immense pressure Holywell found a way back in what would be a dominant display in the final half hour.

A ball forward saw Jamie Breese beat Aaron Jones in goal before he found Jake Cooke, who managed to scramble home.

Just two minutes later it was 2-2. Breese’s shot was initially stopped by Jones before interval sub Ilan Ap Gareth netted.

Holywell almost led on 67 minutes when Breese drilled just wide, whilst Owen Davies forced Woods into a smart save.

Finally, with 75 minutes on the clock, Holywell’s turnaround was complete. Cooke burst forward before being denied by Jones, but Ap Gareth was on hand to hammer home the loose ball.

Denbigh’s second-half collapse was well and truly complete with six left to play when Ilan Ap Gareth’s corner was swung in and found the net, possibly via a home defender, but the Wellmen claim it was their super sub’s hat-trick goal.

Denbigh Town

Aaron Jones, Daniel Flanders, Bobby Beaumont, Ben Lockley, Sion Jones, Keiran.Roberts, Calum Butler, Alfie Vaughan, Sam Duffy, Nathan Brown, Owen Davies.
Subs used: Mackenzie Stark, Kyle Cooper, Gabriel Hinchcliffe, Iwan Roberts.

Holywell Town

Ryan Woods, Gareth Evans, Danny Sullivan, Tom Bibby, Mark Winslade, Jake Cooke, Michael Pearson, Brady McGilloway, Jamie Breese, Morgan Murray, Ryan Edwards. Subs used: Ilan Ap Gareth, Danny Andrews, Beau Cornish, Macauley Taylor.

ATTENDANCE: 228