HOTSPUR NEED A SPARK

Guilsfield v Holyhead Hotspur Saturday 29th September, 2018

Holyhead Hotspur suffered their second solitary goal defeat in a few days at mid Wales Guilsfield but while on Wednesday evening they failed to test the ‘black and reds’ on Saturday it was a lack of finishing power up front that was to prove their undoing when in reality the Holy islanders should have won the game in the first half missing out on several opportunities. As it was they were a goal down at the break via a Steve Blenkinsop spot kick and the second half saw a similar pattern with the ’blue and whites’ coming close to drawing level but lacking a killer punch albeit against a resolute home defence who played on the break.
It is welcome news that new signing Marc ‘logs’ Evans has been given International Clearance and should be available in a couple of weeks as the two recent defeats have made it glaringly obvious the goals ‘for’ column needs to be addressed sooner rather than later while the mid field area is also in need of more quality if Hotspur are to pull away from the bottom rungs of the league ladder.
This coming Saturday Daren Garmey’s men have a rest from league action when Ruthin Town visit the new Stadium in the second round of the Huws Gray Alliance league cup kick off 2.30pm and a chance to reach the semi-finals played later in the campaign.
Hotspur started on the front foot and back in harness Mel Mc Ginness was just past the post in the first minute and on 7 Mc Ginness did well to set up Luke Mc Givern whose firm shot produced a fine save to his left by Michael Jones. From the resultant flag kick Alex Jones was unlucky to head just over the bar.
Hotspur were putting on the pressure but at the other end Carl Jones had to punch away from under his crossbar to clear a dangerous situation. On 18 Alex Jones swiveled to head just past the post with Hotspur having more of the possession. However as so often happens it was their opponents who took the lead when Caio Hywel brought down Callum Bromley in the box and Steve Blenkinsop made no mistake although agonizingly against the run of play. Andy Ford headed wide for the Guils and just after on 33 Dean Garmey put Mel Mc Ginness into space with a superb slide rule pass and the pocket dynamo turned smartly but shot just the wrong side of the upright. Harry Galeotti was inches past the post on 36 while Kenleigh Owen and Jamie Mc Daid also went close but all the pressure and all the many chances came to nothing (Half Time 1 – 0)
Hotspur pressing high up the pitch at the start of the second half but Guils striker Steve Blenkinsop always a danger had a free header wide on 58, while Jamie Mc Daid shot straight at keeper Jones when in a good position for Hotspur. Although not so many chances developing the visitors stil had a lot of the ball but finding the home defence in a stubborn mood although Mc Ginness had a good case for a penalty when sent sprawling by a Guils defender. Referee not interested and waived the appeal away. Hotspur continued to hold sway but on 90 minutes a fine cross from the right was headed just over by Guils player Bromley. With 6 minutes of added time Hotspur were looking desperately to draw the match level but all of their effort were in vain.
Unlucky YES but the game is all about putting the ball in the net to gain points !
Gareth M Davies