‘THIRD TIME UNLUCKLY FOR BATTLING HOTSPUR’

Holyhead Hotspur had been losing finalists in the Huws Gray Alliance League cup
final in 2007 and 2009 and in the ‘final’ final as it were of this competition with
the FAW Championship North taking over from the Huws Gray league next season
the odds were stacked against making it third time lucky against league
champions Airbus UK Broughton , while Hotspur’s themselves are looking set for
relegation although nothing has yet finally been decided.
However following an early setback when one down after five minutes via James
Hooper, Darren Garmey’s men had as much of the first half as their opponents on
a difficult hard dry pitch. One down at the break Hotspur battled back in very
warm conditions and drew level ten minutes via Chris Jones and it looked game
on but the champions upped their game at this stage and scored twice just after
the hour and when three minutes later Hotspur keeper Carl Jones was shown a
red via a last man situation it was curtains, with two further goals adding insult to
injury. Dan Williams on as a sub for Carl Jones did well to keep the score down
after that with some smart saves as a demoralized Hotspur wilted in the hot sun.
The final score may have flattered the ‘wingmakers’ a bit but their pedigree
showed after they realized they were in for a battle against Hotspur who need not
feel too downhearted as they competed well against a good outfit and champions
of the league.
Garmey’s men will finish off their 2018/19 season this coming Saturday at
Holywell Town still awaiting the final outcome for next season’s campaign
although relegation does look a real possibility.
After a nip and tuck start Airbus UK Broughton struck the first blow after five
minutes when James Hooper on their left cut in too easily past two defenders and
rifled the ball low and hard inside Carl Jones’s right hand post. Three minutes
later at the other the tenacious (throughout) Mel Mc Ginniss set up Sam

Ashworth who dragged his shot just past the post. Hotspur were enjoying a good
spell of possession but without testing Dave Roberts in the Airbus goal knowing
that the next goal in the match would be so important Half Time 1 - 0
On 51 Carl Jones made a great stop to deny Ryan Edwards while back at the other
end Hotspur drew level on 55. A well struck Kenleigh Owen flag kick on the right
cleared everyone in the goal mouth but Chris Jones lurking at the back post
turned the ball home in a crowded goal area which sent the large Hotspur support
into raptures of delight.
However the ‘wingmakers’ reacted like true champions and upping the tempo
and on 62 went ahead again. Brady Mc Gilloway on the right crossed a delightful
ball evading the head of Hotspur’s defence and James Hooper got his brace with a
shot to Jones’s left. Now 2 -1 but two minutes later it became 3 -1 when a left
wing cross by Matty Mc Ginn reached predator Asa Hamilton who lofted his shot
over Jones. On 68 the champions looking rampant and Lewis Buckley in on goal
was upended by Carl Jones dashing from his box resulting in a red card and young
17 old Dan Williams coming on for the last 20 odd minutes and doing well making
some good saves but could not prevent Ryan Edwards and Harevy Ellis adding to
the score as a 10 man Hotspur could not keep tabs on a well drilled Airbus.
Gareth M Davies