Injury hits hosts hard

AN 89th-minute double leg break suffered by Holyhead Hotspur’s Martin McClymont took the gloss off the Harbourmen’s 1-0 victory over a dogged Rhayader Town at the New Stadium last Saturday,

Looking to seal the three points, Hotspur had a free-kick fumbled by keeper Luke Evans and when McClymont went for the rebound the big custodian inadvertently fell on the Holyhead player who obviously felt the total impact.

Ironically McClymont had come off the bench in the first half to replace full-back Dan McGinness, who damaged knee ligaments.

The injury to McClymont resulted in a Hotspur spot-kick, but the two managers and the referee agreed the 1-0 result should stand with the penalty deliberately put wide with so little time to go.

The result served as a big boost for Campbell Harrison’s team as they prepare for this Saturday’s trip to league leaders Llandudno hoping to repeat the win in the home game early in the campaign.

Despite the strong gusty conditions last Saturday both teams served up a decent spectacle.

The game was only just into the second minute when a bad pass-back saw Julian Williams in like a flash to dispossess the keeper and calmly slip the ball home for his 11th goal of the season.

Not long after Rhayader’s Sean Powell put a golden chance wide.

On 34 minutes Williams struck the bar with a fine shot.

The first chance of the second half fell to Williams, who fired just wide after a good turn.

Hotspur had to defend well at times as the visitors threatened before on 70 minutes a header from Holyhead’s Alex Jones via a corner hit the top of the net.

In the 82nd minute Town’s Gavin Samuel was sent off following a second yellow.

The next goal would be allimportant with Hotspur looking to finish off Rhayader while the visitors always looked likely to pinch a leveller.

Then came Kenleigh Owen’s free kick close to time which brought the sad conclusion.