Hotspur have work cut out to avoid sixth loss

HOLYHEAD Hotspur will be anxious to avoid a sixth straight league defeat when they host third-placed Rhyl this Saturday, reports Gareth Davies.

Hotspur slipped to 11th in the Huws Gray Alliance when they lost 3-0 at Flint Town United last Saturday (see report inside).

That result followed a 4-2 midweek reverse at Porthmadog.

A stunning hat trick from impressive youngster Sion Bradley broke the hearts of a battling Holyhead team.

Two late goals in the opening half, the first from Alex Boss and the second a spot-kick by Jamie McDaid, had seen Campbell Harrison’s charges fight back to draw level following two earlier Port strikes from Bradley and Joe Chaplin - and it was game on for the second half.

However, the hosts, who had not played for six weeks, eventually forged ahead again via Bradley with 20 minutes to go and he made the game safe, completing his own personal landmark with a 20-yard free kick late on.

Port grabbed the lead on 24 minutes when Bradley rifled home from just inside the box.

They went two-up when in a quick movement, Chaplin pulled the ball down to volley past Connor Hughes, in for the unavailable Paul Pritchard.

The visitors hit back a few minutes later when John Littlemore was brought down in the box and McDaid coolly slotted the ball home in style.

Hotspur continued to press forward and Boss lashed home a rebound to make it level at the break.

Both sides went close in the second half before on 75 Bradley made it 3-2, then completed his treble, Mel McGinness hitting an upright for the away side.