McGinness hat-trick locks down final win
IT will go down as the greatest achievement in Holyhead Hotspur Reserves’ history as they defeated league champions Bangor City Reserves 4-1 to lift the Welsh Alliance Reserves Division Lock Stock Fireworks Challenge Cup.
Mel McGinness banged in a hattrick as Hotspur rounded off a great season in style, seeing off the challenge of a classy young Bangor outfit in front of a lively crowd at Maes Eilian, Llanfairpwll.
Andy Batsford and John Batson’s side maintained their unbeaten record in 2017 by bouncing back from a goal down to claim the trophy.
The finalists had met twice in the league during the season, City winning a tight contest 3-2 at home. Hot- spur gained revenge with a 3-1 success over the Nantporth side last month – one of only two defeats Bangor had suffered throughout the campaign, which saw them win 20 out of 22, scoring 109 goals and topping the division by 11 points.
In the end last Thursday, the experience of the Holyhead team told against a skilful Bangor line-up, many of whose players are no doubt destined for bigger things.
The Citizens edged ahead within 90 seconds of the start when indecision in the Holyhead defence following a free kick enabled Guto Williams to score. Top-scorer for the first team this season, but eligible to play under the rule which allows three players from the senior side to represent the reserves, Mel McGinness soon had a chance to level but was denied by keeper Leon Jones.
City continued to look dangerous, but in the 31st minute the Holy Islanders equalised.From a quick throw-in, McGinness turned on a sixpence and drove low past Jones’ outstretched left-hand to make it 1-1.
A minute before the break Holyhead were in front when a McGinness shot was flying off target, but his brother Dan managed to lay the ball back into Mel’s path and the prolific striker blasted home with glee.
In the second half, Aiden Clarke headed just over for Bangor and Kenleigh Owen did likewise for Hotspur as both teams chased that vital next goal in the contest. It came on 76 minutes when club stalwart Mike Kelly latched onto a superb through ball on the right and perfectly placed his effort past the keeper for 3-1.
City had an attempt cleared off the line before McGinness completed his hat-trick with a clinical low effort and his 27th club goal of the campaign.
While McGinness would have been the logical choice as man of the match for his three goals, the feeling among Hotspur supporters afterwards was that midfield general Jason Owen deserved the award.
Another occasion to remember in the history of Holyhead Hotspur and the celebrations went on long into the night.