Cymru North League
Holywell Town 2 Llandudno 1
12 Aug ‘23, Holywell Achieve More stadium
Attendance 234
Paul, Boosh Taliesin @BooshPemberton, takes a look at an early game in the Cymru North League as beleaguered Llandudno look for a restart against a strong Holywell side.
The Wellmen claimed some revenge against a Llandudno side that ended Holywell’s 27 league win run and title hopes last season.
Though this is a completely new look Llandudno, after all their well documented financial difficulties off the pitch. A pitch that they can longer use and the resulting loss of the management team, along with virtually all the players.
Jordan Hadaway is the new manager of a very young Llandudno side. At 21 Jordan isn’t much older than most of his teenage team, but he has a clear vision for Llandudno and how he wants to play open attractive football.
John Haseldine the manager of Holywell, is also an exponent of entertaining football. His Holywell side is always a pleasure to watch. A team that could quite easily use physicality to win matches, prefer to entertain with free flowing passing and moving. No long ball football here, just quality and it’s a credit to the manager and staff.
Ok hands up, I missed the first goal. 4 minutes in the Llandudno keeper, Joseph Angus was adjudged to have brought down Danny Andrews. Dave Forbes stepped up and made it 1 – 0 to the Wellman. (at that moment I was engaged in some, may I say, excellent parallel parking).
The match then set into a midfield battle, both sides trying hard to break each other down. The excellent Morgan Murray, Holywell’s classy right winger harried the Llandudno back four. Popping crosses into the box, or cutting into the area. He impressed last season and is in fine form again.
In the 25th minute Holywell won a corner on the left Danny Andrews popping in a perfect cross for Jake Cooke to head home. 2 – 0 Holywell. Llandudno fought hard to avoid going further down in the first half, absorbing mounting pressure from Holywell.
The second half resumed with Holywell attacking the Llandudno goal; Jake Cross coming the closest to adding to the Wellmens’ tally. Llandudno’s Portuguese return signing Yalani Bayo found himself in some space, teed up a shot and chipped the recently ex Llandudno keeper Shaun Pearson; finding the net to make it Holywell 2 Llandudno 1.
A rejuvenated Llandudno took the game to Holywell, showing heart and spirit well above their years. There were a few more chances for both sides as the game played out its final minutes. The most notable a screamer that clipped the bar for Kai Wallis, brought on for Morgan Murray.
The final score Holywell Town 2 Llandudno 1 .
Haseldine will be happy with 2 wins out of 2 for the Wellmen. A few easy chances went begging, but I am sure as the season progresses Holywell will find their shooting boots in front of goal. For me, they are my tip for the league .
Llandudno can be proud of their efforts. A team of mostly teenagers, playing well above their years. But are yet to secure a point in their first 3 matches. Though they have played 3 of the top teams in the league, Caersws, Bangor & Holywell, in what is shaping up to be a very close and exciting Cymru North League.
Llandudno are making great strides towards their pitch target. Find out more via https://www.llandudnofc.co.uk/
