Gibbs magic is key to Hotspur dramatic win
HOLYHEAD Hotspur have landed a tough away draw against Huws Gray Alliance leaders Prestatyn Town in the last 32 of the Welsh Cup.
The third round tie will take place at the Motion Finance Stadium on the weekend of December 2-4 – provided Prestatyn settle a £53,000 tax bill which is threatening their future existence by the last week of November.
Hotspur will have an early chance to assess Prestatyn’s capabilities when they visit the Denbighshire club’s ground for a league game on November 19.
Campbell Harrison’s men made it to next round last Saturday when a winner late in extra time from Jay Gibbs secured a 2-1 victory over Welsh Alliance battlers Llanrug United at the New Stadium.
Llanrug made the early running with a couple of raids, however it was Hotspur who took the lead on six minutes.
A delivery into the box saw Mel McGinness produce a clever back header into the path of Gibbs, who took the ball on into the right of the goalmouth, rounding keeper Dylan Roberts and slotting home.
Dewi Thomas on the left saw his effort tipped over the bar by Roberts, while Rhys Roberts headed just over on 20 and at this stage Holyhead looked in charge.
On 25 minutes a corner on the left by Gibbs saw Alex Jones scrape the bar.
The visitors put together some useful moves, including Sion Phillips to David Noel Williams, but their final ball was lacking.
Although Hotspur were in the ascendency, Llanrug were very capable breaking forward and Hotspur needed a second goal to be comfortable against spirited opponents.
On the resumption Llanrug upped the tempo, pressing high and on 50 minutes a move looked certain to provide the leveller, but a number of efforts lacked conviction with Sion Phillips’ strike cleared off the line.
Hotspur keeper Paul Pritchard reacted quickly to intercept a tricky situation on the left while McGinness’ yellow card was dangerously close to a red.
In the 62nd minute ‘Rug’s Jonathan Sadler was clear through on the right, taking the ball towards goal. His first-time shot was well saved by Pritchard but Luke Phillips following up bundled the ball home.
It was Llanrug who looked more likely to go through but there was always the threat of Gibbs to cope with.
Pritchard was now the busier and he had to make a great save in deflecting a shot from Sadler for a corner.
Keiron Hilditch’s long throws were a major weapon in Hotspur’s armoury as both teams went for it.
In the closing stages Mike Kelly, out for a while with an injury but now back as a sub, fired just wide on 86.
With a few minutes to go Rhys Roberts was a harsh recipient of a straight red card for baulking an opponent which left Hotspur facing extra time with 10 men.
It was anyone’s tie in the added half-hour, but it remained 1-1 until the 118th minute when Kelly was fouled just outside the box.
Gibbs guided the ball at pace past the visitors’ wall and just inside the post for the winner.