MATCH ANALYSIS: CPD Y Rhyl 1879 3-4 Holyhead Hotspur
MATCH ANALYSIS
Dave Jones reports from the Hops and Barley Community Stadium
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 3 (D Proctor 33 & 64, Reynolds 84)
Holyhead Hotspur 4 (T Owen pen 71, C Williams 74 & 88, S Murphy 78)
The town where I live versus the town where I was born.
There was already plenty of personal interest in this one before a ball was kicked, but I could never have imagined what was about to unfold.
For 70 minutes it was a no contest – Rhyl 1879 leading 2-0, it should have been more, and Hotspur not having managed a single shot on target.
However, three crucial substitutions from Holyhead manager Darren Garmey would inspire a massive turnaround no-one in the ground could have foreseen.
Rhyl came into the match unbeaten in 16 league games and led the table by 11 points.
For the first three-quarters of the game the Lilywhites looked every inch champions in waiting.
They had dominated the match, Dylan Proctor scoring twice, and only the heroics of Hotspur keeper Guto Hughes kept the margin respectable.
Then on came Cory Williams, the former Caernarfon Town and Hereford United striker, plus promising young players Shay Murphy and Jacob Godsman-Pilling.
Hotspur immediately looked unrecognisable from the team which has struggled to produce anything in those opening 70 minutes.
They were awarded a penalty which I was mystified about at first, but was informed later was for a clear trip on Cory Williams.
Tomos Owen scored from Holyhead’s very first effort on target and the visitors had a lifeline.
Cory Williams was making a major difference and he became even more influential when he netted a 74th minute equaliser.
It was a totally different game now. Rhyl were looking unusually jittery at the back and an amazing cross from James Phillips led to Shay Murphy making it 3-2.
To the home side’s credit, they were no doubt shell-shocked but did react positively, Sam Reynolds heading home unmarked for 3-3 with 84 gone.
Both sets of fans were now in full voice and with such a drama unfolding, there had to be a stunning ending.
That man Cory Williams was there again to finish off a header across goal and this time it was game over.
So, did Rhyl throw it away, or did Hotspur produce a comeback from the gods?
Probably a bit of both.
It is sometimes said 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline – that was certainly true in Rhyl’s case!
The Lilywhites did not begin to slacken off or play poorly at 2-0 up, they were just caught cold by a team reborn after three vital changes.
While it was a great game on the field, mention must be made of both sets of supporters.
The Rhyl balcony crew were as lively as ever, but often at home games they are the only fans you can hear.
This time they had some competition on the other balcony a few yards away.
The Hotspur supporters made an inspiring racket as they witnessed one of their team’s finest wins in years.
If Rhyl were to lose their 16-match unbeaten record to anyone, perhaps it was fitting that Hotspur were the team to do it, given their magnificent support.
A true football club with a proud 35-year history, not a money-fuelled franchise guaranteed to win all the main prizes every season because no-one can compete with them financially.
On a weekend where another predictable procession to a league title was confirmed, it is good to see two of Welsh football’s most famous football towns can still produce games like this.
As for the result today, it was a blow to Rhyl’s title hopes and they will now need to bounce back quickly to ensure the title is theirs. I believe they will do just that.
For Hotspur, maybe this remarkable win might have come a little too late to earn them the title, but no-one will fancy playing them between now and the end of the season.
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
Rhyl 1879 – Paul Fleming
Won so many balls in the air and on the ground, influential in countless good moves.
Holyhead Hotspur – Cory Williams
Needed less than 20 minutes to score twice, earn a penalty and do most to inspire his team’s victory.
TEAMS
Rhyl 1879
Adam Reid, Calum Proctor, Billy Holmes, Tom Kemp, Reece Fairhurst (c), Jason Foulkes, Lewis Hodson, Sam Reynolds, Dylan Proctor, Paul Fleming, Josh Lawrenson. Subs used: Jamie McDaid, Jon Bravo Pinto, Jordan Worthington.
Hotspur
Guto Hughes, James Phillips, Kyle Murphy, Tomos Owen, Alex Jones (c), Ifan Emlyn Jones, Kane Roberts, Jack Walsh, Craig Whelan, Corey Jones, Kenleigh Owen. Subs used: Cory Williams, Jacob Godsman-Pilling, Shay Murphy, Morgan Davies.