Nant into last eight – Pg 87 TUDNO AIMING TO SINK PORT AT HOME BASE
LLANDUDNO will continue their ruthless quest for the Huws Gray Alliance title when they entertain Porthmadog this weekend in search of an eighth straight league win.
Tudno drew 0-0 at Y Traeth last September. but will be hoping for better this Saturday at Maesdu Park (2.30pm).
Alan Morgan’s men remained nine points clear at the summit after last weekend’s 5-2 home victory over Holyhead Hotspur.
It proved a tough battle for the Seasiders, who needed two late goals to finally see off the spirited and determined challenge of the 10-man visitors.
“I think we could have played a lot better than we did today,” said winning boss Morgan after the game.
“We got a bit sloppy, especially when they went down to 10 men.
“I thought we took our foot off the gas a little bit, but at the end of the day if you would have said to me when I arrived at the ground this afternoon that we would win 5-2, I would’ve taken that.”
After a strong start, Tudno took a 20th minute lead when skipper Tom Dix lashed home a 25-yard special.
Holyhead responded well and were soon level when a fine move was finished off by Kenleigh Owen.
Llandudno edged back in front on 39 minutes when Lee Thomas curled home a beauty to secure a half-time advantage.
Holyhead keeper Carl Jones kept his team in the contest immediately after the break with a magnificent stop to deny Toby Jones.
Things looked a lot grimmer for the visitors, though, when midfielder Dean Garmey was redcarded for an over-zealous challenge on Jones.
In the 66th minute the hosts went 3-1 up when Jones capitalised on a poor back-pass from Mike Kelly, finding Marc Evans who put away his 23rd goal in all competitions this season.
It was another reason to celebrate for Evans, who also picked up the club’s Player of the Month award for December.
Holyhead were not ready to lie down, despite having only 10 men against the runaway leaders.
Ex-Llandudno player Julian Williams gave the visitors hope with a lovely 71st-minute finish to make it 12 goals for the season.
The Anglesey side went three at the back in a bid to get something from the game, but this left them vulnerable to Llandudno’s lively counter attacks.
In the closing minutes Tudno substitute Peter Jones put his stamp on proceedings when he finished left-footed, Toby Jones having provided his fourth assist of the day.
Llandudno were not finished, as in injury time another quick break saw Marc Evans one-on-one with Jones.
The striker unselfishly passed to captain Dix, who rolled the ball home to make ultra-sure of the three points.
The result was sweet revenge for Morgan’s men, who had lost 1-0 at Holyhead earlier this season.
Llandudno: Connor Wearing, Joe Williams, James Joyce, Arran Pritchard, Richard Hinds, Gareth Evans, Lee Thomas, Tom Dix, Danny Hughes, Toby Jones, Marc Evans. Substitutes: Peter Jones, Danny Shaw, Leo Riley and Jake Phillips.