Holyhead first to win at home to champions
HOLYHEAD Hotspur travel to third-placed Gresford Athletic this Saturday buoyed by becoming the first team to inflict an away league defeat on champions Prestatyn Town this season, reports Gareth Davies.
Top-scorer Mel McGinness was on target twice as Hotspur saw off the Seasiders 4-2 at the New Stadium.
A match staged in heavy conditions was played at a good tempo throughout.
Home stopper Paul Pritchard saved low down from Alec Williams, while at the other end McGinness just failed to get a good connection from Mike Kelly’s cross.
Former Hotspur keeper Carl Jones made two blocks in quick succession to deny Dewi Thomas and McGinness.
Holyhead took the lead on 23 minutes when a free kick just outside the box on the left by Dean Garmey flew past Jones to the top corner.
Soon after, McGinness was in the clear one-on-one with Jones, the keeper doing just enough to deflect the ball inches wide past the upright.
On the half-hour Hotspur went two in front when Kelly crossed into the goalmouth, and although closely marked, McGinness wriggled himself free to prod past Jones.
Five minutes after the break McGinness was brought down and Dewi Thomas shot home the resultant penalty for 3-0.
This saw a response from the visitors and Pritchard made a superb flying save high to his left to thwart a goalbound shot from James Stead.
In the 67th minute Jack Kenny scored a fine individual goal, breaking through Hotspur’s defence and slotting past the advancing Pritchard.
It seemed like game on now, but a few minutes later an ugly incident saw Kenny receive his marching orders.
Hotspur regained the ascendancy, which they had for lengthy periods, and on 74 minutes made the game safe with a long ball downfield which found McGinness in full flight down the right.
He then cut infield and flighted the ball superbly over Jones into the far corner.
With time almost up Jack Lewis made it 4-2, but Hotspur were worthy victors.