Hotspur raise heat in 5-0 thrashing of Tudno Under-19s

HOLYHEAD Hotspur maintained their impressive pre-season form with a comfortable 5-0 win against a spirited Llandudno Under-19 side last week, reports Gareth Davies.

Due to Tudno’s Welsh Premier side having another engagement, they sent their talented young squad to the New Stadium.

With some new faces on view, Hotspur quickly got into their stride and the passing game on show was delightful to watch.

The ball was being worked from the back and the midfielders and strikers took up good positions, making it hard for the young Llandudno outfit to close them down.

As the game progressed, and especially in the second period, Hotspur were camped in the Tudno half, feeding some great, telling crossfield balls into the corners.

It took the Huws Gray Alliance hosts 30 minutes to register the first goal, which resulted thanks to a great move from the back and, with no-one closing down Jamie Roberts, he rifled home from 30 yards.

Ten minutes later, another fine inter-passing move saw Roberts in the six-yard area and he daintily moved the ball from one foot to the other and struck home, giving the keeper no chance.

At half time, Holyhead manager Darren Garmey made some changes, bringing on keeper Dan Williams, David Williams and Harry Lewis – three talented reserve players who all performed well.

On 75 minutes, new signing Luke McGivern left his marker for dead, drove into the box and slid the ball past the advancing keeper.

It was McGivern who, 10 minutes later, on the left, passed to John Littlemore, who lashed in for Hotspur’s fourth goal.

In the 90th minute, the evergreen Kenleigh Owen fired home an unstoppable shot to seal a comfortable win.

Boss Garmey will be pleased with what he saw and the way in which he has coached the team with assistant Nick Dumbarton into adopting a passing game. The players will grow more and more confident in this style of play and certainly, from a spectator’s point of view, it will mean some attractive football to watch in the season to come.

Hotspur were due to visit Welsh Alliance Division One newcomers Bodedern Athletic last night (Tuesday).