Owen’s early bath sours a top triumph
AFTER stretching their unbeaten run at home to seven matches last weekend Holyhead Hotspur will aim to continue their fine form when they travel to Mold Alexandra this Saturday (2pm).
Hotspur are fifth in the Huws Gray Alliance after seeing off Rhydymwyn 3-0 at the New Stadium last weekend in a match soured for the Anglesey side by the controversial dismissal of Kenleigh Owen.
Campbell Harrison’s men started at a good tempo, Jay Gibbs and Rhys Roberts threatening with headers.
Holyhead’s pressure had to tell and they went ahead on 12 minutes. Owen did well on the left to get ball into the goalmouth, finding Gibbs who turned .on a sixpence to finish clinically past keeperO Andy Roscoe.
The Flintshire visitors had flurries at the other end, but without any conviction against a solid Hotspur defence and the home team went two up on 22 minutes, Owen unleashing a long range pile-driver which proved too good for Roscoe.
Holyhead continued to make chances, Owen and Alex Jones twice going close with headers.
The third goal came on 39 minutes when Mike Kelly on the right did very well to win the ball and get it across to Gibbs, whose header was blocked by the keeper. However, the former Tranmere Rovers scholar showed quick reactions to bury the rebound.
Gareth Jones-Evans was twice denied by Roscoe before the interval.
Two minutes into the second half Rhyd’s Jake Reilly turned well and shot against the post.
With nothing to lose, the bottom side were having a good spell, then on 55 minutes came the red card for Owen for what appeared to be an innocuous challenge.
From here Rhydymwyn had a lot of the ball without making any real chances.
In the 74th minute Hotspur produced a good break via Ryan Jones on the right, who fed Kelly, but the ball stuck under the midfielder’s foot.
Substitute Mel McGinness fired two good opportunities wide before the final whistle.