Hotspur need tonic after loss to leaders
STRUGGLING Holyhead Hotspur need to find some form at home to Gresford Athletic in the league this Saturday in preparation for their ultra-tough Welsh Cup trip to Prestatyn Town on December 3.
The Harbourmen have already had a warning of how powerful Huws Gray Alliance leaders Prestatyn can be when Campbell Harrison’s men lost 3-1 to the table-toppers at the Motion Finance Stadium last weekend.
Of course the playing of that Welsh Cup tie early next month is dependent on whether under-threat Prestatyn can save their skins by paying an outstanding £53,000 tax bill by tomorrow (Thursday).
Last Saturday’s encounter saw Pre- statyn were on the front foot from the start and Jordan Davies’s early shot was deflected for a corner while Reece Fairhurst put a free header wide of the post and Noah Edwards’ free kick went wide on eight.
Two minutes later full back Jack Lewis hit a screamer just over as the Seasiders looked for the opening goal.
Hotspur were struggling to get into the game as former player Damien Ketley rounded his defender on the left, finding Jack Kenny whose effort deflected for a corner.
On 19 minutes Ketley’s goal bound shot was brilliantly tipped onto the bar and over by Paul Pritchard.
However, a trademark long throw by Holyhead’s Keiron Hilditch caused the home defence problems, the ball eventually reaching Asa Thomas in a good position but his shot was beaten away.
The Harbourmen’s defence had to crack and on 28 minutes Prestatyn went ahead.
A ball into the box was cleared out to Jordan Davies who rifled hard and low into the bottom far corner from 15 yards.
On 40 minutes the leaders increased the gap when Kenny through on goal was brought down and Davies drove past Pritchard into the same corner with the spot kick.
Hotspur started the second half Pic: Anthony Ward brightly and Thomas was just off target on 47 but the slick hosts continued to press and Ketley shot just over.
On 62 minutes Davies found Kenny one-on-one with keeper Pritchard but he overran the ball and the chance was gone.
Nip and tuck now as the next goal was deemed all important for either side but it was the Seasiders’ afternoon on 89 minutes when after good linking up play Noah Edwards arced towards the away goalmouth and delivered low past Pritchard.
In the 93rd minute Carl Jones the home keeper got caught out dallying with the ball and Thomas took full advantage for make it 3-1. However, things were already done and dusted.