The Latest http://www.holyheadhotspur.com/ £400 jackpot had gone last night. 4 Winners each get £100 each. Paul R c/o 79, Jean c/o Steve Gregg, Alun c/o Eddie Milk, and Billy c/o Eddie Milk. Next week's draw is £200. http://www.holyheadhotspur.com/news.php?subject=draw 6 10 12 £350 jackpot not won and only 22 people matched two numbers £5 each for them. This week's jackpot is now £350, will come in handy for a summer holiday. Please for only £1 have a go. http://www.holyheadhotspur.com/news.php?subject=draw 3 12 15 £300 jackpot not won and only 19 people matched two numbers £5 each for them. This week's jackpot is now £350, will come in handy for a summer holiday. Please for only £1 have a go. http://www.holyheadhotspur.com/news.php?subject=draw . http://www.holyheadhotspur.com/news.php?subject=news 3 6 17 £250 jackpot not won and 20 people matched two numbers (£5 each for them). Next weeks jacpot is now £300. Please have a go only £1. http://www.holyheadhotspur.com/news.php?subject=draw Congratulations to Prestatyn Town Football Club for winning the Cymru Alliance League for 2007/08 season. To be fair Prestatyn have been up there all season and with Steve Bowes knocking in over 25 goals this term. Well done to all involved. http://www.holyheadhotspur.com/news.php?subject=news Last night's numbers were 3 4 15, nobody won the jackpot and only 15 people matched two numbers (£5 each for them)This Sunday's jackpot is now £250. http://www.holyheadhotspur.com/news.php?subject=draw Thanks to Gerallt Jones, Darren Garmey, Dean Garmey, Barry Jones, Simon Thomas and Paul 'Butch' Owen for taking the time to be 'grilled', not roasted! HR - Alright lads? Thanks for agreeing to do this interview for the match-day programme. What are your thoughts on this season to date? Ger - It's been a very good season. We have had some very convincing wins although it’s a shame that our away form hasn't been the best. If we could turn draws into wins then we'd be closer to the top team. Daz - I think this season has been very good so far as well as being very frustrating as we have dropped a lot of points rather than being outplayed by a better side. Deano - Seasons gone well, if we were better away from home we would be in with a shout. Pipes - I think its been a very good season to date, the team has made a lot of progress and season by season we’re slowly climbing up the table but the season isn't finished yet and I don’t think we've achieved what we set out to as of yet. Si - I arrived back only a month ago, but followed both the first team and reserves all season. The 1st’s are really doing well and Loggs has proved to be a great player. The Reserves had a bad start to the season but results seem to be going our way now and hopefully we can carry on putting in performances like we did against Boded. Butch - It’s been a great season in all departments with the team doing so well in the league and our home form is one of the best in the league which is a bonus. It’s also been a great season with individual awards with Cam who got manager of the month and Mike Edwards and Mark Loggs getting player of the months too which was fantastic for the club. We have made some good signings too by bringing four new defenders in which has made the team stronger and the signing of Loggs was class because he’s banging goals in left, right and centre which is helping the team. We’re higher up the table than last season which can only get better next season too. HR – Pipes, at the start of this season, what were your aims and objectives considering you were a Bodedern player back then? Pipes - The main aim for myself as a Bodedern player was to maintain our Cymru Alliance status and keep the club where it had fought so hard to get. HR – When Bodedern decided to withdraw their team from the Cymru Alliance towards the end of last year, were you asked to continue playing for them in the Gwynedd League? If so, were you prepared to do that subject to certain conditions? Pipes - To be honest with you, I was asked to do this as were all the lads. I didn’t feel prepared to do this because I want to play at the highest possible standard that I can and the prospect of joining another successful and ambitious club excited me. HR - The season started off reasonably ok results-wise for us although we seemed to struggle to win some of the home games. Did you feel that there were reasons for this at the time? Ger - It's always going to be a challenge to start to play on a new field when we were used to playing on the old field, it was a case of hoping the ball bounces kindly to you, on this field it makes it a lot easier to get the ball down and play. I believe we struggled to come to terms with how big the field is and how to make the most of the width it offers. Once we sorted this out we started playing the kind of football that’s associated with promotion seeking teams. Daz - It took us time to adjust to the pitch football wise but Mark pointed out that we weren’t fit enough for the pitch and changed our training and then the results improved at home. Deano - Yeah the pitch is big so we use Mike n Tom better now. Si - For me I didn’t think there was any particular reason for it, every team has their bad spells, we picked up on what went wrong and changed it. Butch - The new pitch played a big part for us. We thought it took us a while to get use to the bigger pitch but once it got going it suited the way we played. A lot of the play has been down the wings from two quality wingers getting the ball in the box quickly for our front two to pounce on. HR - Back then Daz you were probably just grateful to be back on the pitch again after a bad injury. How did the knee hold up at the start of the season? Daz - I haven’t had any reaction from the operation and hopefully wont get any. Yes I am just glad to be playing again after such a long spell out. I have been a bit lucky in the way that we had a few injuries and people going away that I was put in the team as I don’t think I would have played as much having been out for so long. HR - Were you conscious of having been out for such a long time? Did you feel that you were playing a different way to how you would have done initially because of you having just recovered from such a bad injury? Daz - I was a bit wary at first but that only lasted a few weeks, I don’t think my game has changed too much but I have definitely learned to look after myself better on the pitch. HR - Did you all feel that you were having to alter the way you played the game because of the new pitch early on in the season? Other teams certainly seemed to enjoy playing on it. Ger - Yes!! It's a lot wider. Being a full back meant that I had to do a lot more running from covering centre halves to the wing. It's the same for all positions though. I feel we've adapted to be a more passing team, we're happy to pass the ball into the midfield and get them to switch the ball wide. We are also a lot more confident in keeping the ball. If we go down one side and it's not on then we are happy to switch it to the other side and open teams out (like Wolves did to us). Daz - Although I didn’t play last season I think we play more football now and the pitch certainly helps. I think we made other teams look good at the start of the season as we weren’t fit enough and allowed them too much space to play, now we stop teams playing. Pipes - Having a surface like this is a pleasure to play on week in week out and certainly since I've joined its been a pleasure to play on. I think that’s reflected in our results at home this season. Si - I had been waiting to play on it all season and was happy to have the chance against Blaenau, it has to be one of the best pitches around when it isn’t too wet. I didn’t alter my game because it is such a nice pitch to play on it was easy to get used to. Butch - Yeah, they seemed to change their game a lot. They got the ball down and played some football. The team pass it more and we also play with a lot of width now because the pitch is much wider. HR - Our attendances were certainly higher than the previous seasons due to the supporters having the luxury of a roof and seating. Did the higher levels of support give you an extra boost when coming out to play? Ger - Most definitely, it’s a great feeling when you hear the crowd clapping when you do something good, it definitely gives players a boost. It can also intimidate opposing teams with members of the crowd being vocal. Daz - Yes good support always spurs the players on. Our support is excellent. I would definitely say the best in the league and it is very much appreciated. Deano - Yeah, it’s always good having a good support! Could do with more away though ha-ha. Pipes - I think the atmosphere is very good and certainly gives you a buzz when running out on to the pitch but I still think that we could generate more support, Holyhead is a big town. Si - Its always nice as a player to have a good crowd supporting you and the opposition fans hurling abuse at you gives you a boost as well. As a fan its fun to have a crowd singing along with you. Butch - The support so far this season has been outstanding especially against Boded and Llandudno when we had 250+ fans but I have to say that it’s not the best support in the league due to the huge amount of sh**p that our local rivals G*******h get week in week out! HR - Sadly, having one main stand can mean you get less fans spread around the ground especially with the winds we get down there! Do you think we should have a covered shelter at one end of the ground too? For the choir! Daz - Another stand would be great, but as well I think the wind is an advantage to us as we are used to it and other teams struggle to adjust. Deano - Indeed. The Mike Taylor stand! Pipes - Well the choir certainly would generate more noise ha-ha but I did actually think to myself that the shelter at the old ground could be brought to the new pitch. Si - I'm sure there are plans for building something like that? I think it would be ideal. Butch - Yeah deffo, Town End need a little stand where they can all sing to the hymns of Christ with Titch being the leader of it all. It would be a huge boost if we could get a lot of the fans to sing and it would make it so much harder for the opposition to come and play. HR - At one early away game this season and indeed at a few others too, we have seen instances of poor behaviour from other teams and sometimes the management too. Has it been difficult at times this season keeping your cool with some of the things that have gone on? Ger - It can be very hard to keep your cool when decisions don’t go your way but the managers have told us to let them deal with that side of the game. That lets us concentrate on our own performances. This also helps us keep suspensions down to a minimum. Daz - Yes it is hard but its better to show a bit of class and not get dragged down to their level. There are too many teams in our league that forget what they’re actually there on a Saturday to do. Deano - Sometimes but we have to ignore any idiots. Pipes - I think the way that some clubs and officials of those clubs have acted this season has been terrible. I don’t think that I should name any names but we can all think of some good examples!! Its a decent standard of football, we just need more decent people to give the league the respect it deserves. Si - I have been a spectator it and it’s a shame that people like that are allowed into any league of football. Butch - Having Steve Toffo and Nath around makes us feel a lot safer! HR - Having played both games against Prestatyn before the end of October, did any of you feel back then that you had just played against the champions elect? If so, what did you feel set them apart from us? Ger - To be honest I didn't think they were anything special. Obviously they are a good team, the league doesn't lie but I think the main difference between them and us is consistency. They seem to grind results out home and away. Other than that I wouldn't say there's anything between us. Daz - After the second game, you could see they were the team to beat. I don’t think there’s a huge difference between us except for the away wins they have picked up where we have drawn, they also play with a lot of confidence which is important. Deano - Yes, they've had the league wrapped up for a while. I think they’re ruthless and we’re sometimes too nice. Pipes - I didn’t play in the away game and it was my first game for Holyhead as a sub at home so I haven’t really played against them this season but I said from the end of last season that they would win it! I think they are a very good footballing side and are very young and fit also. We are a very young, fit and good footballing side too and to be honest I don’t think there is much between us. At the present moment I think we would give them a good go and probably beat them. HR - Just prior to those games, we had begun this season’s Welsh Cup trail against the very spirited Cefn United. Do you feel it is easy for some players to disregard the chances of lower league opposition and that is how games are sometimes lost against these teams? Ger - Most definitely, it's a chance for lower league opposition to cause a big upset and if you are not switched on from the start then you run the risk of losing. It happens in top flight football. Lower league teams have nothing to lose and tend to go for it. Daz - Teams are easily underestimated but its important to play the same game against all teams regardless of their league position. We tend to play better against the 'better' teams and struggle against the lower teams. Deano - Sometimes complacency does creep in. Pipes - Yes, I think it’s very hard when you play against lower league teams or even against teams who are lower down in the table because you expect to win and sometimes that can frustrate you as an individual and the team's performance. Si - Yes, I think if a team is in a lower league then people automatically think that they are not up to the challenge. Also I think that gives a boost of morale to the lower league team as they have nothing to lose. Butch - Yeah I agree the game against Cefn was a nervy game and with Cefn starting off really well and looking very dangerous in play. You can never take lower league teams for granted in the cup because anything can happen on the day for instance Newport YMCA are in the semi-final of the Welsh Cup and have knocked out 3 Welsh Prem teams including holders Carmarthen Town. HR - The game against Gap Queens Park back in September sadly saw the end of Warren Gibb’s season. It quite possibly nearly gave most of us in the ground high blood pressure too! How did it feel having played in such a match? Ger - The 4 - 4 game? Yes it wasn't the best of games to be playing in. We did very well to go in at half time 4 - 0 up but we took the game for granted and stopped working for each other. They fully deserved to come back into the game and if I'm honest we were lucky we didn't lose. Daz - Very disappointing, it felt like a defeat. I’ve never played in a game like that before and never want to again. Losing Warren was a massive blow as he would have been a important player for us. Butch - As a fan that game hurt. When we were 4 - 0 up, the game looked to be at ease then we lost Warren so that was part of the spine of the team lost which obviously gave Gap a lift. HR - We seemed to start getting some better results from this point onwards which was possibly in no little way down to the fact the team became more settled. How difficult is it when the team is constantly getting disrupted due to injuries and in the odd instance, work reasons? Ger - When you change a team regularly then it can be hard to "gel" with whoever is playing alongside you. Miscommunications, misunderstandings etc creep in which can cost goals. Once you have a settled team you know exactly where every player is going to be so it makes it easier to play. Obviously injuries and work commitments are unavoidable but we have such a strong talented squad that no matter who fills the space you know they will perform. Daz - Its hard to keep a settled team but we just have to thank god for Tom Nathan who can and has played in every position this season. Deano - It’s always good to have a settled team. Pipes - In order to be a successful side, you need to have consistency in who’s playing week in week out because this is how team spirit and bonds are made. So if its constantly changing it’s hard but we’ve been getting results because we have a strong squad with competition all over the pitch. Si - It is very difficult if the team has gelled together really well and then someone gets injured you have to adapt to a difference in your team. I think both teams have adapted really well and everyone is used to playing in the same team. HR - October, barring the home fixture against Prestatyn saw us bag 4 very good wins scoring 14 goals. Was it getting easier by then to play on the pitch and use it to your own advantage? Did you feel other teams were tiring more easily on it? Ger - Fitness is definitely a key on that field!! When you’re chasing a game it can be very hard work. The managers have got us playing in such a way that we try to make the field as big as possible when we have the ball and as narrow as possible when we don’t. When you look at Welsh Prem teams, that is exactly what they do. Daz - Yes by the end of the year our fitness was very good and even though we started games slowly we would finish strongly and find more space. Deano - Yes and the last 20 minutes we’re always strong because of our good fitness. Pipes - This is when I signed for Holyhead so I can’t really answer this fully but I do think that our passing and attacking style of play, combined with high fitness levels has certainly given us the edge against a lot of teams at home this season!! Si - Because of the good surface, the ball moves quickly on it and as the season progressed, we got used to it and yes it is a major advantage. Butch - As a fan in these 4 games, and a lot of the other home games, it seems like the opposition tire with the new pitch and with Cammy and Mark’s training the fitness level of Hotspur really shows. It’s like training for the army! HR - The home match against Penrhyncoch on October 27th saw the creature of a new Hotspur enigma, ‘Docklad’. The referee seemed a little distracted by him as did a few of the opposition players. Do characters like these help to spur you on, particularly at games where you perhaps aren’t doing too well? Ger - Penrhyn who?? Yes it definitely helps having characters like that who mean no harm to anyone but are passionate about winning. It’s always a help. At times it's like having an extra man on the field. His singing definitely helped us on that day......KEEP IT UP DOCKLAD!!! Daz - Its good to have vocal fans like Docklad, he definitely unsettled their players on that day. It’s good to have fans encouraging when you aren’t playing too well. Deano - Class! We need more of that, give The Oval a Turkish atmosphere! Pipes - Yeah this certainly helps. Every club needs a character like this, I think we’ve got more than one e.g. Toffo. Any edge that this type of character can give a team certainly helps. Si - Yes characters in the crowd help a lot. Docklad gets the whole crowd going and its a boost for morale. Butch - To see a fan so passionate about the club would surely spur a player on and the more passionate fans we get (like me and Ellis) really will help the team move forward. HR - Although we put up a valiant fight the week after away at Newi Cefn Druids in the Welsh Cup 3rd round, our name obviously wasn’t on the cup this year. Where did we go wrong on the day did you feel? Ger - My mistake for their second goal!!! It was a tough game, I honestly thought that we could go there and get something from the game. They're not a top Welsh Prem team but what they have is experience. We were chasing some hopeful balls whereas they were playing percentage passes down the line and gaining territory, then organising from there. Daz - We were really disappointed as we knew they weren’t a really good side and we didn’t really give them a go, if we had played our best we could have beaten them. Deano - Don’t think we turned up did we? We never looked like getting a win. Si - Watching from the sidelines, I don’t think we made many mistakes and the times we did, we got punished. That game can only take us forward and we can learn from it. HR - November continued with the game at Guilsfield, playing against 9 men in the second half and only coming away with a draw. However that’s often the case with teams up against less players. Was it a frustration only coming home with a point? Ger - Very!!! You expect to beat teams when you have a two man advantage, but fair play to them they re-grouped and defended as a team. I think we got a bit frustrated during the game and tried to change our game instead of keeping to the way we play. On another day Daz's shot goes in the top corner instead of hitting the bar. We needed a bit of luck that just didn't happen. Daz - Yes very frustrating. We had some good chances to win but they held out and nearly won it. Deano - Yeah really frustrating. Pipes - It was very frustrating and possibly this kind of result is the reason why we haven’t sealed 2nd place or possibly better but like we showed against Bala with 10 men, when you lose players, you tend to unite as a team and naturally tend to maybe work that little bit harder. HR - Is Llandyrnog away fast becoming a bogey fixture similar to what playing Denbigh has in the past few seasons? Did Elliot wonder what he had let himself in for on the way home, poor lad! Ger - I hate going there, the field is terrible but the same for both teams! It's never nice to concede goals, but we didn't help ourselves by making schoolboy errors. It happens sometimes, I just don’t want to experience it again! Elliot did well, it was a debut for him and he must have impressed as he's still no1. Deano - Probably but he wasn’t to blame. We were all a disgrace. Pipes - Ohh the worst performance by the team and the worst performance for me personally! Nothing seemed to come off on the day and we seemed to be chasing shadows on a field fit for growing spuds!! Butch - I wasn’t there to see Elliot do his dance but heard he had an audition for Strictly Come Dancing after it! Happy days. HR - We had a very productive time just before Christmas in the league. We also played Rhyl away too and you were a credit to Holyhead that night as more than a few people agreed, many of them being from other clubs. Did you feel that you could have actually won the game? Ger - Rhyl are a very good team, but we did ourselves proud. We tried to play the kind of football that we've been doing all season and it seemed to work. We did have a fair few attempts at goal but with no success, Rhyl had some attempts and were clinical...that was the difference on the night. Daz - We needed a performance there after Llandyrnog and we were pleased with our performance. Again we had some good chances and on another day it could have been a lot closer. Deano - I think at that level you get more time on the ball but Rhyl’s movement was different gravy! Pipes - I think that when we were 1-0 down we should have had a penalty! We hit the post and missed a couple of chances. We out played them in the midfield for long periods and battled as a team so I certainly think we could have won and to be honest I was very disappointed to have lost! Butch - Ellis went to watch this game because I couldn’t make it but he told me we were up for it more than them and also played better than them which can only be good for Hotspur in the coming future. HR - When you go to play in a stadium like Rhyl have and think of them competing in the UEFA Cup most seasons, do you feel like you belong there? That you could be playing at that level with Holyhead at some point in the future? Ger - Definitely. The way we play (passing game) can embarrass a lot of Welsh Prem teams. Teams that play Welsh Prem usually stand off a lot more than they do in our league which surprised a lot of our players. The difference is if you switch off for a second then you will be punished. If we can concentrate through the whole game and finish teams off I think we could do well in the Welsh Prem. Daz - It would be great to see Hotspur at that level, we definitely have the facilities now and hopefully the squad isn’t far behind. Deano - Yeah of course we do, we have the potential and the set-up. Pipes - This is what the club are building for in the near future. We could definitely get up there and are certainly good enough to compete. The side is getting better, the club is growing and when you look at the size of the town, we should be playing at that level. HR - While some of us were in the Christmas spirit already and others were dressing up ready to go out, you guys were busy getting a great result at home to Lex XI on the last Saturday before Christmas. Immediately after the game was abandoned, what were your initial thoughts on the day’s proceedings? Ger - I was on the bench and went for an early shower so didn't see anything. Daz - We weren’t really sure what was happening. It was a shame after such a good performance. Deano - Must be a poker player! That was my first thought. Pipes - It was disappointing to see! We had comfortably beat them 6-0, everyone was in the party spirit and what happened cast a shadow over the day. I know Curt and I still 1000elieve that he wouldn’t have said anything. It was just sad to see the game and a fantastic performance be over-shadowed by some shocking scenes. HR - As team players, how did it feel when somebody who is your friend and teammate was accused of such a serious offence with no actual third party proof that he had done anything wrong? Ger - It's difficult, I'm not 10005 April 2008ure of all the details so best not to comment. Daz - It shocking really, I have known Curt all his life and it’s not nice to see an honest lad like him that just wants to play football get dragged into something like that. Deano - People who know Curt know Curt is a decent bloke. Pipes - Like I said, I know 100hat Curt wouldn’t have said anything like that. He's an animal on the pitch but off it he’s a nice lad and has respect for others. He is certainly NOT a racist!! HR - The ‘incident’ has since been dealt with in such a way that the player accused has received a ban for a certain amount of games. Playing devil’s advocate here, does it worry you that players could pull stunts in the future for their teams own personal game considering just how the rules of conviction work in football, that you could be the next player to be on the end of such a slur? Ger - It's always a worry. I'd like to think that most players in our league are honest and wouldn’t dream of doing anything like that. Unfortunately you do get one or two. The best thing is to keep away, that way you can't be accused of anything. Daz - Yes its scary to think that it could happen to any of us. Deano - Hopefully not. Pipes - I think that it is a possibility but anyone who plays football should have enough respect for their opponents and enough respect for the challenge of playing against other teams not to cheat and not to cheat themselves and their team by gaining an unfair advantage. HR - There were certainly a few newspapers that were eager to print certain articles. As a tight-knit group of players, would you ever purchase any of these newspapers in the future as I know that I certainly won’t? Ger - I don’t read many of the local papers anyway! Daz - No, I wont be. I think the whole town should boycott them like Liverpool have done to The Sun. Deano - I can’t read so I never buy papers! Wink Pipes - I think the way he was treated was disgusting!! He could probably take action against these people who are tarnishing his name. He could very well receive ungracious comments and be hounded about this not only on the pitch but off it too. His human rights have been smashed to pieces. Si - Newspapers always like to have their say but if they are going to print rubbish then no, I won’t buy them. Butch - I only buy The Sun anyway so that doesn’t make no difference to me but I would advise other people to think before they buy. HR - How disappointing was it going out of the League Cup to Mynydd Isa at home? Ger - It's always a disappointment when you lose.......especially to a team who “on paper" we should've beat. Daz - Very disappointing as we don’t fear any team and were quietly confident of progressing in that competition. Pipes - The league cup defeat was bitterly disappointing because I feel we could have won that this season. Si - Its always disappointing to lose in cup football because it’s a must win situation. Butch - That was disappointing as a fan because we were on such a great run of games then we lose at home in the cup but it also shows how the cup is different to a normal league match HR - The following two games away at Penrhyncoch and Llandudno sadly saw us returning home with injured players on both occasions. The tackle on Curt in particular was nothing short of scandalous. How hard is it to maintain your cool when it appears that the opposition are not getting punished for adopting such ‘styles’ of play? Ger - You just have to play your game and hope the referee is decent enough to know where to draw the line. At the end of the day if you retaliate you could end up seeing red when the offending player gets away with nothing. There are ways of getting back at them.....through a fair but hard tackle!! Don't even get me started on the Llandudno game! Ha-ha Daz - It’s hard not to take the law into your own hands. There are lots of referees that have never played and don’t understand the game from a footballers point of view. Deano - It was a bad tackle on Curt and that ‘Braveheart’ look-alike was scary! Pipes - I think the way certain clubs and their officials behave is disgusting. Say no more than Bala in our last home match. If you are to play, you have to learn how to accept defeat no matter how bitter the pill is to swallow! Another example would be our 3-1 at Llandudno, they couldn’t handle our passing style and fitness levels so they adopted the 'kicking' approach which lost us two players, one for the season in Casey. Si - A lot of refs only seem to see one side of the game and we hardly ever get any protection. We just have to play our football because the refs will not change. HR - We seem to have been on the end of some poor refereeing decisions this season which is no doubt a view that a lot of clubs may hold too. However, a lot of our concerns are with player protection and Campbell has even been sent off when trying to communicate his views to match officials. Do some referees seem to be intimidated by certain people, be they players or coaching staff in this league? Ger - I'm not sure. Some referees just don't like to see Holyhead doing well! Although most referees are ok, there's just the odd one or two that you know before K.O aren't going to give you a thing. I’m sure Campbell would rather he got sent off, after all he is only trying to protect his players. Daz - Yes some referees are pressured and unfortunately aren’t strong enough but saying that there are some good referees as well. Deano - Maybe, but most referees don’t let you talk to them so you can’t win. Pipes - There are some weak Refs in this league and I feel that they are easily intimidated by officials so until refs get the courage to take action, this will sadly continue to happen! Si - Yes they do and if a team or manager has a reputation of being a loud mouth the refs give them the majority of decisions. HR - After the brilliant away win at Llandudno in February even having lost both Ger and Casey to injury, again during play, did you feel like we were serious contenders for the runners up berth in the Cymru Alliance? Ger - Most definitely. The Llandudno game was a crucial game to win, it closed the gap between the two teams and put them under a lot more pressure. Daz - Yes we had to win that game and there was a lot of pressure on us, that was probably the best win I've played in for Hotspur. Deano - Definitely, we played really well there as we have in some hard places away. Getting draws in Bala, Flint and winning in Llandudno shows we’re getting better away. Pipes - Yes, and I still think we are if we pick up the points that are available. Si - We are playing good football and can beat any team in this league so I think the 2nd spot is a realistic goal for us. Butch - Yes without a doubt to beat Llandudno in their own backyard isn’t easy so it must give you a boost of confidence. HR - Guilsfield were sent packing from Holyhead in spectacular fashion with ‘Loggs’ in particular starting to climb up the goal scoring charts rapidly. There was criticism from some when he first signed that he wasn’t a good enough player for us. I think he’s answering them in the best way possible. How do you rate the three Boded lad’s (Loggs, Pipes and Tomos) performances since they joined us? Ger - The proof is in the pudding.......Loggs scoring and Pipes and Tomos keeping clean sheets. Daz - I honestly think that if Loggs had played for us from the start of the season he would be leading the goal scoring charts. All of the new lads have fitted in well, we have definitely improved since they arrived. Deano - They've done ok. Ha-ha, na they've fitted in really well. By the way Loggs is a Gwalchmai warrior, not a Boded lad ha-ha! Pipes - Loggs is a quality finisher, always has been and always will be so I didn’t understand the stick he was getting. Having played with Tomos at Boded for 5 seasons, I know every thing there is to know about his game and he will always give 100o the cause and is a solid centre back, as good as they come in this league. Si - Well I played with Loggs in the Under 17s and I know he is a quality player so I had no doubt he was capable. Pipes and Tomos have settled in well and shown their quality with solid performances at the back. Butch - They’re all cracking players. Tomos is one of the most skillful centre halves in the league. He’s calm on the ball and he can pick out a pass. Pipes is a good player, he’s calm on the ball and he plays that easy ball all the time. Loggs is our very own Dimitar Berbatov, he holds up the ball, brings people into play, scores goals, got one of the best touches around and if you put a ball in front of goal for him 9 times out of 10 he will score which means he can only be a great player in the future for this club along with Tomos and Pipes. HR - Buckley away was one of the games where you can easily be swayed looking at league tables into thinking that you are in for an easy game. They are a young fit team though and how upsetting was it to lose 2 points so late on in the game especially when we had taken control of large parts of the game? Daz - Yes very disappointed. Again we had the chances to finish them off but didn’t and we paid the price. Deano - Felt like we lost that day. Pipes - It was very upsetting because I feel we should have won easily given the chances we created and wasted. But as we all know, concentration for 90+ minutes are required, and sadly this cost us the points. HR - It was nice to see Curt bag a hat trick against Llandyrnog just for him to get back to doing what he does best. You could see from the celebrations that it meant a lot to the whole team. Is the team spirit here the best you’ve ever experienced in football to date? Ger - The team spirit is excellent. If a player is having a bad game then everyone tries to get his head up. The atmosphere before and after the game is the best I've experienced, so many different characters! Daz - Yes the team spirit is great, its important to have this it makes training a lot more enjoyable. Deano - Yeah definitely, everyone is good mates off the pitch as well as you'd see when we’re all in the Hibernian! Pipes - The spirit certainly is very good and has certainly contributed to our lofty league position. It’s very important to have characters in the dressing room and I think we’ve got a hatful of them here!! Si - Well I went to Trearddur Bay United Pre-Season and I didn’t enjoy it as much as I do at Hotspur ... That is why I am back. Butch - Yeah I think so. It was nice to see Curt back because he gives the team that extra bit of confidence because he gets goals and his work rate is phenomenal. After all he went through with the injuries and the alleged ‘incident’ after the Lex game, it was great to see as a fan. HR – Butch, you got to the North Wales cup semi final this season. Where did the team go wrong on the day? Butch - We were gutted for days about two things. That we lost and that I got sent off which was stupid so it was a bad day at the office but you never know, there’s always next year (and he promises Ellis he won’t be getting sent off again!). HR - Was it a deserved red card butch? Butch - Uuuurrrrmmmm no! I thought a booking would have been enough and maybe a word with Danny to have a word with me but what’s done is done. HR – Being part of the U17’s successful league campaign this season, is it difficult keeping your feet on the ground when you seem to beat most of the opposition with such ease? Butch - I hate beating teams 10-0. I find it boring, you just say to yourself what is the point. It’s not a football match at all. It would be nice to play games like Llandudno when we played them in the North Wales Cup Semi week in, week out. HR - Si is involved in coaching the girl’s teams and you Butch have just started to do your coaching badges. Are you both looking to do a lot more coaching in the near future? Si - I am hoping to carry on coaching for many years to come. I enjoy teaching the youngsters and they enjoy the football. Butch - Yes in the future I would maybe help out with one of the junior teams. HR - With regard to your own playing careers, what are your hopes and aims for the next season? Si - I am hoping to stay at Hotspur for as long as I can. I enjoy myself here so I am not looking for a change. I just need to play to the best of my ability. Butch - I want to fight my way into the reserve side or just get a couple of games under my belt. HR - Toffo or Nath? Butch - Well with Toffo’s speed and agility and Nath’s stocky frame and long reach it would be interesting to see! HR – Watching as a fan of the first team then, which has been the best game to watch for you this season? Butch - The Welsh Cup game against Bala at home, what a game. Also Bala at home in the league with Loggs scoring the 94th minute pen. HR - There were more unsavoury scenes at the end of the recent fixture here in Holyhead against Bala. I find it very poor to hear certain comments especially coming from the bench that have been heard on occasion this season from our opponents. Do you feel managers need to be bound by better codes of conduct? Some of them surely aren’t capable of instilling discipline in their own squads judging by their own behaviour at times. Ger - At the end of the day the managers are in charge of setting the rules. If they don't keep to them how do they expect their players to? Daz - Yes the managers should know better and lead by example. I doubt Bala or Lex would have behaved so badly if they had managers with discipline. Deano - Too passionate maybe but the comments made were childish. Pipes - A perfect example is the Bala Town set-up. On the field they are a very good side and very hard to beat but certain individuals in that team are letting them down. For example, the lad who got Dicko sent off. The manager is a loose cannon and is well known for his 'bad loser' attitude, we had similar scenes at Bodedern last season after we beat them. Si - All through the game I could see that a few Bala players were more interested in winding our players up. Maybe some managers don’t see the wrong in their actions and choose not to deal with it. HR - We have come so far in such a long space of time at this club however you can never afford to rest on your laurels in this game. Being completely frank here, what, if anything, needs to change at this club for the better and why? Ger - We need to keep on going as we are, there are plans ahead to expand the ground and more players are bound to come in next pre-season. The club is moving forwards which is where we want to be going. Daz - I think the club is run very well and will continue to improve with experience. Deano - Away results and Tracksuits! Pipes - Its not a case of changes. I think the squad is strong but young so the more experience you accumulate, the better player you become. So add this experience to our attractive style of play and our high fitness levels and automatically you have a better side. Patience is a virtue, and I strongly believe that there are exciting times ahead. Si - I don't think a lot needs to be changed. A bit better communication between people? The Club is run very well so there is not much I can say. Butch - A few more fans and maybe a better looking barman/barmaid in the clubhouse HR - The management setup we have here currently with the first team is second to none. Gerallt in particular looks to be a more confident player in the last couple of seasons than ever before. Discuss. Ger - It's all down to confidence, I was lucky enough to go and play in the island games with some very good players. The standard is very high and so you have to raise your game to adapt. I felt I did this and this then continued into the season. Mike eddy and myself have learnt how each other plays which is always a help, there's a better understanding between us. The managers also tell me what they expect, constantly setting new goals which keep on making you want to achieve greater things. As always there are always things to improve on.....like my goal a season tally......so I’ll be getting extra shooting practice in pre season. Daz - Yes there is a lot of players that have improved lately it helps to be playing in a good team, you can see that in mike eddy he has improved with his confidence Si - I don’t think a lot needs to be changed. Better communication between people? The club is run very well so there is not much I can say. Butch - A few more fans and maybe a better looking barman/barmaid in the clubhouse!!! HR - The management setup we have here currently with the first team is second to none. Gerallt in particular looks to be a more confident player in the last couple of seasons than ever before. What are your views? Ger - It's all down to confidence. I was lucky enough to go and play in the island games with some very good players. The standard is very high and so you have to raise your game to adapt. I felt I did this and this then continued into the season. Mike Eddy and myself have learnt how each other plays which is always a help, there’s a better understanding between us. The managers also tell me what they expect, constantly setting new goals which keep on making you want to achieve greater things. As always there are always things to improve on.....like my goal a season tally......so I’ll be getting extra shooting practice in pre-season! Daz - Yes there are a lot of players that have improved lately, it helps to be playing in a good team, you can see that in Mike Eddy. He has improved with his confidence. Deano - Think Ger has been at something, that’s why he’s so confident! Pipes - I think the standards of training at Hotspur compared to what I had previously experienced is amazing. The team talks and the confidence that Campbell and Mark install in you as a player speak volumes for the teams success. I personally feel to have developed as a player under their management e.g. playing regular football as a centre-back when I didn’t feel comfortable in this position at first. Butch - In my eyes Gerallt really has progressed in the last couple of seasons and has looked more confident. It would be nice to see him bag a few more goals though! HR – Si and Butch, being current members of the reserve and junior teams at the club currently, who should we perhaps be seeing in the first team in the not too distant future and why? Si - Al Jon-Jon is showing signs of a quality Centre-Back. He reads the game so well. Also Sam Woods is a good player ... maybe he will get his call up soon. Butch - Myself hopefully ha-ha. Sam Woods and Alex we should be seeing because they’re cracking players for this club and for the future. HR - You have all played under numerous managers in your playing careers so far. Do any of them stand out in your mind for any reasons at all? Ger - The current managers! Both have played at high levels and know exactly what is required to achieve greater success. They vary training accordingly and seem to do their homework on the opposition before a game so we know where we can beat teams. Daz - None really stick out but every manager has their own style and I just think what Campbell and Mark are doing is suiting this group of players. The results are evidence of this. Deano - Mod was a great help, Also downtown Steve Bown! Pipes - The management at Hotspur is second to none compared to what I've experienced thus far but I do have very fond memories of playing for Cemaes Bay as a 16 year old under Colin Hawkins. Colin is a top manager and a top guy, I'm sure anyone who knows him would have a story or 2 to tell!! Si - No biased opinions but the best manager I have played under has to be my Dad. I don’t know how he does it but if we had been losing, he got everyone’s heads up and he gets the best out of his players. Butch - Danny Dumbarton, what a guy he is. He’s the next big Phil Scolari, just a little bit smaller. Next Derby County manager! HR – Si, it can’t have been easy having your own Dad breathing down your neck on the touchline in the past! Did the banter ever follow you both home and if so, did Mum ever have to referee the contest? Si - No, most of it stays within the team. We do joke about some things ... if I messed up or made a silly mistake he would joke about it but it never got serious. HR - Likewise, you will all have played with some very good players. Who, out of the lads you’ve played alongside do you rate highly? Ger - We have a lot of good talented players. Any one of them would walk into any other team in this league but I think Mike Eddy, he manages to make my role on the field a lot easier, whilst also scaring defenders when he runs at them. He can create / score a goal from nothing. Daz - I have always said that Aidie Owen is the best I've played with but now we have some really good players and they are only going to improve. I would have to say Mike Eddy at the moment. Deano - All the players with us now and Mike Edy isn’t bad!! Pipes - I think all the lads in the current squad are very good players and this is certainly the best team I've played for. However, if I had to pick one I'd say Tomos because I've played with him for so many years and at Boded I know that he was capable of winning games on his own at times. Si - To name a few ... Eddy, Loggs, Deano, Melv, KC .... the list goes on and on. Butch - Alex Jon Jon, cracking player and cracking captain. Also Luke Roberts, quality player. Can pick out killer passes. Also has a great eye for goal and a sweet right foot (at times!). HR - Do you feel Si, having playing for the reserves over the last couple of seasons, that the step up from the Gwynedd League to the Cymru Alliance is a little too big for most players? Si - I haven’t made that step yet, but who knows? The step would be big but I'm sure Campbell would help any player new to the league. HR - The reserve team setup looks like it is currently being revamped what with Derek’s recent resignation. Some of you have played through the age groups here at Hotspur, do you feel that changes to the setup are needed and if so what? Ger - It is a shame to see Derek resigning, he's done a great job! Being the manager of the reserves is never easy, having to sacrifice players to the first team etc. I don’t think we need to change anything of the setup we have at Holyhead. We have a fantastic youth setup, which hopefully will feed the reserves who will then feed the 1st team. I don’t think you can improve on it. Daz - It’s hard knowing what to do with the reserves as you have to try and bring the youth through but you also have to grind out results against some big strong physical teams. What’s been done with the reserves over the years has worked great, but everything has room for improvement. Deano - Not really, if it’s not broke don’t fix I say. Without the set-up we wouldn’t be where we are today. Si - Like I said, a bit more communication. Nige had his first game in charge against Boded in terrible conditions and came away with a win and a goal so even with my Dad’s departure, the reserves are in good hands. HR - Would it be beneficial for clubs to play their reserve teams in a specific reserve team league system where coaching and improving players could be worked on more without the fear of relegation. Perhaps play a couple of cup competitions to keep the competitiveness going? Ger - That sounds like a good idea. It's hard trying to avoid relegation, especially when some weeks not all of the players can make training / games. I think a reserve team league would be good. Daz - Yes that would be a good idea. The level of football would definitely improve and it would benefit the younger lads. Deano - Yeah would be good. Pipes - I think it’s very important to have the competitive aspect to football as it keeps you interested and with interest comes improvement but it’s certainly a good idea if it means focussing on developing young players for the future. Si - Yes and No. Although it’s a good idea to develop players, I think the way it is now is going well. Instead of being ‘just reserves’, we can aim to move higher in the league and get promoted. HR - All in all, we are in a great position with just a few league games left to go. If we finish in second place ( or indeed if Bala, Flint or Llandudno do too), then we will be eligible for promotion to the Welsh Premier League subject to the Champions ground not being suitable and also ours being suitable. Do you relish the prospect of playing at such a level in the seasons to come if not next season? Ger - I cant wait.........bring on Welsh Prem!! Daz - It is hard to stay focused on the task ahead when the Welsh Prem could be just around the corner, it’s easy to get carried away but we just have to keep winning. Deano - Well that’s where we all want to be playing week in week out so can’t wait. Pipes - Yes, it’s where we need to be playing!! The Cymru Alliance is a decent league but a town like Holyhead should have a team in the Welsh Prem! and I certainly think we should be there and are good enough to compete at that level!! Si - If I get a chance to play at that level it would be an amazing achievement for me personally yes. HR - We could organise some crazy trips to away games down south by plane. Does one of you dare to become player rep and put that idea before the committee at the next meeting? Ger - I am the players rep.....I'll try and sort something!! Daz - I'm sure ger is getting prices as we speak! a bus with a toilet would be a start! Deano - Ger is player rep but the devil's cabbage seems to be slowing him down! Ha-ha. Pipes - I would be more than willing to put a few suggestions across!! As for funding for this I'm not quite sure but it would be a laugh!! Si - I’m sure one of the lads would put it forward because it is a good idea. Butch - Yeah why not, if we can get the funds to do it I don’t see why not. Maybe Dick could help us out ha-ha. HR - Well, it’s been another great season in the resurgence of Holyhead Hotspur Football Club. Some of you guys have been here for years, others have arrived this season and some of you are the players of the future. Do you feel a sense of pride in representing the team and town and being so close to the top division of Welsh football? Ger - Its great, I've been here for 6 (I think) seasons, and there is such a buzz around town. Fans who I've never met before come up to me in the pub and talk about the games. Its great. It will be even better once we make it to Welsh Prem. Daz - Yes the team has come a long way and is getting the credit it deserves now, its a very good time to be a Hotspur player. Deano - Always proud to play for my town and so are the lads, that’s why we’re so passionate I think. Pipes - Yes it’s very exciting playing for a club within a town the size of Holyhead. I feel that the club should be in the top division and needs the people of Holyhead to help to push it forward and get it there. Si - Yes I love pulling on a Hotspur shirt. The feeling hasn't changed from my first game as a young lad, I have lived here all my life and I am proud to be representing the town. HR - Is there anything else you would like to say to the programme buying public of Holyhead or perhaps anybody’s fashion ‘sense’ you would like to rip (amongst other things!) before you head off to prepare for this last crucial month of the season? Ger - That would be too easy!!! Just like to thank the supporters for coming to watch and for making themselves heard. Let’s hope we can keep performing for you and take Holyhead Hotspur into the Welsh Prem.....Thanks again. Daz - Everyone’s fashion sense is ok to be honest, it’s only Campbell that turns up wearing some dodgy garments but saying that, he’s getting old now and losing touch with the 'look'! Deano - 1 name. MIKE DOUTCH!!! Pipes - Well I must say that I will miss Curt’s ‘Michael Jackson-like’ moments with his white socks until he returns!! To the Holyhead public I'd like to say thanks for the fantastic support and keep it up in seasons to come, the team and the club need you to help drive them forward!! So thanks, and its been a privilege playing for Hotspur this season!! Si - Keep supporting the lads, it is very appreciated and let’s help them push for 2nd spot! Butch - Steve Toffo - leather jacket ….would just like to know where he got it from. Thinking of getting one. Also, my hot picks for legendary Hotspur shouts on the pitch: Johnny Parry - Time chedz timmmmmmmmme! Man on ya, man on ya Ger - Swiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitch!!!!!! Ben Stew - Help him out eeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyy Campbell - Cheddar, Darren!!! http://www.holyheadhotspur.com/news.php?subject=news HR - Thanks for agreeing to give us an interview Derek especially since you’ve just relinquished control of the reserve team. Have the last few weeks been a difficult time for you on a footballing level? DT - Not at all. Making the decision to resign was quite difficult but I feel it had to be made. HR - You took charge of the reserve team setup 3 years ago after running the youth teams prior to that. Was the task all that you thought it would be? DT - I didn’t really look at it as a task, just doing something I enjoy and capturing the youth coming through the ranks. HR - In this day and age fans in particular are becoming more and more results orientated as time goes by. Did you find this side of the game frustrating considering you are not solely managing at that level just to get good results each week. DT - Fans are a big part of the club so they are entitled to their opinion but luckily enough they did realise what we were up against getting a team together every week so there were no problems with them. HR - Early on in your time as the reserve team manager, you seemed to have a lot more experienced players available to yourself. Do these type of players respond well to critique after perhaps playing at higher levels in the past and do you think some players give up playing too easily because of this? DT - No it was a joy to work with them, with all the youngsters I was bringing in the senior players were a big help. HR - As a vital part of the club’s food-chain, do you feel the reserve team should be all about nurturing youth or that more experienced players are needed to try and bring the young lads on? DT - You have got to get the right mixture with seniors and youth, which is what there is in both squads. You are always going to need the old heads in your team, people that the youngsters look up to and respect like Nigel Moore did with the reserves for me. HR - Having to chop and change your team constantly because of work and college commitments can be a nightmare in terms of the players gelling together. Did you feel as though your hands were tied at times with regard to who was available and how much training you could give them? DT - I do feel the youth play to much competitive football these days, Saturday morning could be a nightmare. That’s when you find out who you have got to play in the afternoon, luckily we had the 17s to fall back on but you still had to be wary of how much they played. HR - With the Gwynedd league playing at what is in effect two rungs lower than the first team, do you feel that the step up is too great for some players? What are the main differences, if any, that you saw between the two leagues and their styles of play? DT - Like Campbell always says, if your big enough your good enough. I think all the players who have stepped up to the 1st team have done not only myself and Neil but the reserves proud and not looked out of place. The pitches, goals, balls, are the same size so not much of a difference. It’s up to them how they adapt themselves once given the opportunity. HR - Over the last two years in particular, many of your old protégés have made the breakthrough into the first team. Does the pride you feel outweigh any concerns you may have over losing such good players from your own team? DT - No not at all. Right through the youth system I told my players they get all the trophies, all I get is the satisfaction of seeing them doing well and knowing I was a part of that so when I see them doing well it means a lot to me. Very proud of myself. HR - Have there been other players who you felt were good enough to make the step up who haven’t quite managed it for whatever reason? With most games at Gwynedd League level only having one match official present (with a linesman from each club normally), have you often been left in despair at some of the decisions you have ‘endured’ over the years? DT - I prefer to leave the subject of referees alone. There are still quite a few more players ready to make that step and I suppose when Campbell feels it right to bring them in then he will do so. I must mention Alex J Jones in the reserves. Watch out for him, going to be a star. HR - With our club seemingly gearing up on and off the pitch for a promotion tilt at the Welsh Premier League in the coming seasons, do you feel that implementing combined training sessions for the two senior squads and the under 17’s would be of a major benefit to the club? DT - Ideally yes, but you are talking a lot of players together at one time so there is only so much you can do with them. HR - The goals have certainly flowed for you on many occasions this season but sadly quite a few have been shipped too. Do you feel that says something about the quality of the league the reserves currently play in or could it be more down to the youth you have been bringing through this season? DT - I suppose it’s the same in all leagues, they either go in or they don’t. Golly is up among the top scorers in the league so I don’t think they’ve done that bad scoring wise. HR - It has been a pleasure to watch some of the games this season, especially with the team having such a young back five at times. This surely speaks volumes for the level of talent currently coming through this club’s youth setup at the moment? DT - Like I said earlier, there is a lot more talent coming through. I go to watch the youth teams play when I can and have been very impressed with what I have seen. It is just a matter of keeping hold of them and making sure they come through our ranks and not other teams’. HR - It is often levelled at the committee in general that the first team is well looked after yet very few get involved in watching or helping with the reserve team. Would you agree? Do you feel the club would benefit from officials travelling with the reserves to help out more on match-days, possibly on a rota system to help out generally on match days? DT - All I can cay is it was hard work for Neil and myself but we got through it. HR - With a reserve team being such an integral part of a player’s development from youth to senior football, do you feel the youngsters would benefit from the much mooted North Wales Reserve League? DT - Any experience would be a benefit to both club and player but only time will tell if the league would be beneficial. HR - With regard to your recent decision to step down as our reserve team manager, was it something that had been in your thinking for a while or did certain events conspire to make you come to your decision to step down? DT - If I'm honest, I was going to step down at the end of the season anyway. Certain events did contribute, maybe I should have thought about it a bit longer, but these things happen. HR - Again with regard to the bush telegraph that surrounds most well supported clubs, accusations of poor communication have been levelled towards certain areas of our club at times this season. Would you agree that there have been such problems during the present season? DT - I agree there has been bad communication but I think we are all to blame. HR - Now that you have stepped away from the reserves, if another club came to you with a similar position or a club in a higher league approached you, would you be tempted by such offers? DT - No, I know what I will be doing next season and am looking forward to it. HR - Which players should we be looking out for next season with regard to them possibly making the step up into the first team squad? DT - Alex John John, Adam Griffiths, Sam Woods, Asa Thomas and many more. HR - Have you had any major disappointments at all on the playing front this season concerning poor results or player problems? DT - No. I enjoyed what I was doing. No-one likes to lose but it’s all been experience for the younger players in that league and with the first team doing well, the club has benefited at the end of the day. HR - Do you plan on returning next season in another managing or coaching role at the club or are you looking forward to having a decent breather for a while before weighing up your options? DT - I hope to be involved with the club in some capacity. It was suggested I represent the players on the committee as their spokesman, might be fun! HR - No doubt you will be kept busy at times with some of the dubious banter and characters that frequent our vibrant forum of which you are a much loved moderator. DT - I love the banter. HR - Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions so honestly Derek. Do you have anything else you’d like to say to the fans of Holyhead Hotspur to finish off this interview? DT - Just thank you for the support. Now I can join you in the Town End and cheer the club to future success. HR - Cheers Bossman and good look in whatever your footballing future has in store for you. http://www.holyheadhotspur.com/news.php?subject=news THE DIARY OF A SEASON (SO FAR!) August 2007 The season started on a dull note with regard to the weather and the game itself back on August 18th. Without a goalkeeper due to an administrative problem, former captain Johnny Parry dutifully donned the gloves and performed admirably in keeping his goalmouth under lock and key. Curt Williams popped up amongst the backdrop of a grey sky to at least send us home from our first ever league game at our new home with the 3 points. Four days later, Llanfairpwll were our visitors and as with all island derbies (except for Llangefni usually!), we had to work hard for our chances. Chedz seized upon a poor clearance by Ben Heald in the Llanfairpwll goal and returned the ball over the hapless keeper’s head to equalise after the visitors had taken an earlier lead. The game was won fifteen minutes from time with a Mike Edwards wonder strike. Cutting in from the left flank, Eddy struck the ball sweetly from 20 yards out giving the keeper no chance. We travelled down the A55 three days later to play our cup competition bogey team of recent years, Denbigh Town. Newly promoted after a few years absence from the Cymru Alliance, we knew we would have to work hard against them in very warm and humid conditions. They say football is a game of two halves and although nobody could argue that we won the first, there was no doubting that we lost the second after looking in full control of the game early on. The weather seemed to take it’s toll on us late on (well something did!) with Ian Williams scoring our only goal of the day. 2006 Cymru Alliance Champions Glantraeth were our visitors to the new stadium on the following Wednesday night. An early Gerallt Jones penalty for the visitors was soon cancelled out by the clearly overjoyed Warren Gibbs heading in his first goal for us. Curt Williams put us in front later on after a series of wasted chances, some real comedy shooting taking place, before Glantraeth equalised from a poorly defended corner kick. It was definitely a case of two points lost as we were left to rue several missed chances on the night. Overall, we didn’t start the season poorly although opposing teams were clearly enjoying playing on our new pitch and it seemed obvious that we would perhaps have to work that little bit harder to overcome this as in the past, our old pitch had been a good leveller for us and was a lot harder for the opposition to play on. September 2007 On this nice warm late summer day, we made the trip eastwards towards Wrexham to play ‘The Lawmen’. Lex XI, founding members of the Cymru Alliance and borne from a desire by some Wrexham legal eagles of the 1960’s to play competitive football together. Quite how they would feel if they had witnessed proceedings that day is anybody’s business. The game itself was played out in a good spirit with Hotspur the dominant force for the best part of 75 minutes. We seemed to lose our grip on the game after a series of unsavoury incidents involving the opposition manager cum magic sponge man cum resident bully of the day. Not content with giving Simon Davies a shove in the chest while trying to retrieve the ball on the touchline, he then proceeded to bully the referee, Mr Spender (of nearby Leeswood), by refusing to leave the pitch in the correct manner and strode roughshod (literally) on a path of his choosing right across the field of play. Alas, the opposition scored two late goals to level the game which seemed all the more likely as the clock ran down and sadly, it would not be the last time we came across the two central characters of this ‘show’. Bodedern were our visitors four days later for what would be their last Cymru Alliance game against us for some time. The local rumour mill was already in action with regard to the club’s financial plight but if that was meant to give us more confidence going into the game, somebody had forgotten to tell the Bodedern players that they were meant to roll over and die for us! Our very own ‘Loggs’ converted a penalty in the first half after a foul on Adam Roberts by Liam Shanahan to send the boys from Boded into the half-time break with a 1 goal lead. As if to redress the balance, we were awarded what seemed a soft penalty early in the second half by the referee. Clearly without James Parry breathing down his neck, Curt Williams struck the ball into the path of ‘OJ’ in the opposition goal twice before his third attempt on goal finally beat the keeper. In front of a large crowd and again after looking in complete control of the game, we allowed Bodedern to break clear around the hour mark and although Shanners got a hand to Backhouse’s effort, the ball still made it’s way agonisingly into the net. Luckily for us, Darren Garmey hadn’t read the underdog script and replaced Simon Davies shortly before scoring the last goal of the goal to equalise for us around ten minutes from time. Cefn United of the Welsh National League were our next opponents, at home in the Welsh Cup First Round. Cefn were clearly no mugs despite being from a league lower than ourselves and Ian Oliver Davies duly gave them an early lead but first Ian and then Curt Williams replied to put Hotspur ahead. Aaron Taylor, making his debut for Cefn, gave the visitors some hope, levelling at the death to take the tie into extra time but running out of steam, Cefn conceded a 3rd and final goal when Curt Williams grabbed a last gasp winner. Injuries had robbed our plucky opponents of key players as the game went on and this included keeper Spencer Samuels. Cefn United certainly took our admiration back to Wrexham as some form of consolation for their determined play during the game at least. We were on our travels the following week, this time to what seemed to be the home of the champions elect for 2007/2008, Bastion Gardens, Prestatyn. After we did the double over them last season, they were clearly intent on revenge from the off taking the lead on seven minutes. A totally unmarked Dave Hayes heading in from a Steve Harris cross. We were clearly stung by this early setback and twice Mike Edwards` skill and pace down the left created chances for Tom Nathan Edwards who sadly couldn’t finish them off. Prestatyn Town keeper Ben Rowley then fluffed an in-swinging Mike Edwards corner but Johnny Parry struggled to get his leg over the ball and could only volley over. We continued to pressure them and on the half hour mark, the Prestatyn defence made a hash of a simple through ball from Tom Nath and the alert Ian Williams slotted the ball home into the empty net. On the stroke of half-time, Steve Bowes dispossessed Warren Gibbs and was clear on goal but Shanners raced off his line and smothered his point blank shot. The rebound came to Bowes, but he lashed into the side netting. The home side regained the lead shortly into the second half when Bowes` left foot pile-driver was kept out by Shanahan but Neil Gibson was on hand to convert the rebound. From this point onwards, those of us stood behind Liam were donning tin helmets such was the ferocity of Prestatyn’s potent attacking by now. Another Steve Harris cross was this time headed goal-wards by Warren Gibbs who forced a great save from Liam. Sadly, on 75 minutes, a Steve Bowes` rocket was superbly thwarted by a diving Shanahan but Russ Jones followed up to head in the rebound. It was literally all Prestatyn now and we were clearly struggling to prevent a rout. Dean Garmey was red-carded late on in the game on a day that started brightly but faded away to a feeling we had got off lightly. Gap Queens Park were our next visitors to Ynys Mon. With quite a few ground-hoppers in attendance, they got the high scoring free-flowing game they wanted. It’s just a shame that what passes as a good game to a neutral fan is downright agony to watch for at least one of the teams involved and their supporters, namely us on this day. After Tom Nath put us ahead early on in the game, we dominated proceedings having further opportunities to increase our lead until the last ten minutes of the first half. We decided to go goal crazy and Tom Nath tucked away another chance followed by an own goal by the visitors under increasing pressure. Ian Williams struck again just before the interval and even the most pessimistic of fans would never have given Gap QP a fighting chance of making a comeback reminiscent of Lazarus. Hmm, the Gap management team had obviously put Ralgex in their tea urn or something as we were all party to one of the greatest fight backs ever. Johnny Parry led them on their way with an unfortunate own goal just after the interval. The visitors managed to keep themselves in the game with another two goals over the next twenty minutes and by now clearly had the scent of blood. It was no surprise when they equalized with five minutes to go. Commonly referred to as ‘squeaky bum time’ by many in the game, our lads were like punch drunk boxers by now and only the intervention of a goalpost and several fine saves by Liam Shanahan kept the wolves at bay. It is worth mentioning that Warren Gibbs sustained a serious injury during the first half of this game (from which he is still recovering) and had we not had to shuffle our back four yet again, the result may have been a whole lot different. October 2007 Bala Town were our visitors on this warm sunny day for a Welsh Cup 2nd Round tie. The visitors controlled much of the first half and deserved to take the lead on 18 minutes with Neil Fisher heading home powerfully. Shanners then produced a superb double save with the help of a post to keep the score line at only one but on the counter-attack, Paul Evans in the Bala goal had to pull off an equally good save to deny a free header from a corner. We started to threaten our visitors at set pieces but Bala were dominating open play. The second half followed a similar pattern. Bala should have wrapped the tie up ten minutes from time when Craig Goodwin missed an open goal header from point blank range. A minute later, Marc Griffiths hit the bar with an 18 yard effort. The real drama though was yet to come. With 94 minutes showing on the clock, Tom Nath’s strike from 25 yards took a slight deflection and no doubt with all the blue and white will in the world, flew into the top corner to leave us all ecstatic with Bala clearly looking despondent. Extra time saw us start play with a renewed belief and only two great saves by Paul Evans kept Bala in the tie. Penalties were looming rapidly when in the last minute, a penalty box scramble saw the ball eventually find it's way to James Parry who dutifully took his chance. Well they say you only need a little luck to go far in cup competitions! Buckley Town were next up at our place after a poor start to their season making them look a shadow of their former selves. That day proved to be no different as we opened our account within two minutes of the start after former Hotspur stopper Dave Vickers flapped at a cross with Curt Williams saying thank you very much from close range! On the stroke of half time after a fairly even game, parity was restored when a cross from Ben Chamberlain was deflected into his own net by Tom Nath. We regained the lead with a fine strike from Mike Edwards but Buckley fought back again with Alan Dawson striking a fine shot into the goal. The turning point came in the 76th minute with Leigh Jones adjudged to have handled. He was subsequently dismissed and Curt strode up to convert the resultant penalty. To add salt into the Buckley wounds, ‘Loggs’ added a fourth goal (and his debut goal for the club) after being set up by Ian Williams. Runaway league leaders Prestatyn were our next guests the following week and as expected, a hard-fought encounter ensued. Neil Gibson`s men's ability to retain the ball proved to be the decisive factor although there was plenty of action in both goalmouths. On 11 minutes, a Steve Bowes cross was met by the head of Ian Griffiths but Liam Shanahan did what he does best and pushed the ball on to the bar. The Prestatyn breakthrough came on 22 minutes when Dan Evans out on the wing put in an awkward, low cross which was duly converted by the predatory Bowes. We responded positively to try and defend our unbeaten home record and a couple of minutes later, Mike Kelly`s 30-yarder agonizingly came back off the post quickly followed by a stunning effort by Mike Edwards which seemed like a certain equaliser all the way. A very fortunate Jon Dunt managed to back-pedal, diverting the ball on to his crossbar. It really was end-to-end stuff from then on with Johnny Parry heading wide from a corner and then Bowes, from the resultant counter-attack going one-on-one with Shanahan who stayed standing and did very well to deny him. Alas, it just wasn’t our day and yet despite having many chances, I felt that we had put on a good show against a team who know how to defend a lead, retain the ball well and would invariably be in the top two come the end of the season. The following week saw another game at our newly refurbished stadium. The visitors this time taking the form of Mid-Walians Penrhyncoch. This game would also see the birth of yet another in a long line of Hotspur Legends, ‘Docklad’. Never had a game seemed more one sided from the off as we gave ‘Penrhynwho’, to steal Docklad’s term, a true footballing lesson. Mike Edwards was first in on the act beating Penrhyn keeper Toby Spain from the edge of the box early on and almost from the restart, Ian Williams planted a looping header from a Mike Edwards corner kick into the opposition goal. The score stayed that way until an hour had passed and then our visitors literally capitulated, Darren Garmey scoring a free-kick with the help of an upright, a shot (according to him no doubt, a cross to others!) from Mike Kelly throwing Penrhyn onto the ropes with Johnny Parry and Daz Garmey killing the game off with cries of ‘Penrhynwho’ ringing out from the touchline. We were in fact ‘lucky’ to still be graced with our one man choir as by this stage of the game, the visitors clearly used to playing games in front of one OAP and his/her dog, had requested several times to the referee that he be removed from the side of the ground! November 2007 On the road again on the first weekend of November and with the scent of gunpowder in the air, was it to be that we were in for an explosive game in the Welsh Cup 3rd Round against the old men of Wrexham, namely Newi Cefn Druids? There had been much anticipation in the days building up to the game not least because of our progress in last year’s competition. Sadly, the day petered out into a bit of a damp squid as the physical nature of the home side put paid to a spirited attempt by our footballing youngsters to warm all our cockles and send us through to the fourth round. Midfielder Geraint Lewis fired our hosts ahead in the 12th minute with Darren Williams striking the second goal four minutes after the interval. Although we were still working tirelessly, we struggled to create many clear cut openings and Darren Williams completed the scoring nine minutes from time, cheekily back-heeling into the net following a left wing cross from substitute Kevin Holsgrove. Although the result hadn’t gone our way, we were clearly the better supported team on the day and one of the consolations we took from the day was knowing that a share of the gate receipts from such a well attended game would invariably come in very handy for our club! Next up was the second longest trip of the Cymru Alliance calendar to Guilsfield. Having won their 3rd round Welsh Cup tie the previous week against Welsh Premier opposition, we knew their lowly position in the Cymru Alliance table gave no true reflection of what they were capable of on any given day. We were also in fear of what a manager of the month award may do to a team’s chances of winning with Campbell rightfully being presented with a trophy for his October efforts on this day. This proved to be the case on this occasion too with Guilsfield taking an early lead through danger man Tim Nunnerley. A major turning point in the game came through a lack of discipline by Guilsfield’s Ben White who was rightly dismissed for a disgraceful stamping incident. Curt Williams soon responded with a close range header to seemingly put us in the driving seat or so you would have thought and this was followed up by Rob Cookson’s sending off just after the interval following the receipt of his second yellow card. Clearly disjointed and disgruntled without reason, our hosts then proceeded to take control of the game as many teams who go at least one man down do. To stifle us so valiantly for the best part of 45 minutes entitled Guilsfield to some respect for their sheer determination if not their reckless tackling. Amazingly for us, we found ourselves actually hanging on for a few precious moments near the end of the game as Tim Nunnerley had a couple of chances to snatch the points and would have capped what was a pulsating game. Thankfully, we defended with conviction till the end and in the end, a draw was a fair result. Llandudno were our visitors a few days later in front of a large crowd of 276 who were no doubt expecting a game befitting two of the top teams in the league. The first half was a cagey affair with both teams clearly looking to play it safe without leaving themselves open to counter-attacks. Hotspur then clearly upped the tempo in the second half and broke the deadlock in the 65th minute. Mike Edwards picked up an inch perfect pass from Gerallt Jones and his shot from 15 yards proved decisive. Llandudno fought back well after the goal and Liam Shanahan was forced to pull off a fine save from Dan Hughes, tipping his shot onto the bar and although Llandudno did have a few more chances, they were limited to longer range efforts by our back four who were defending higher up the field to try to quell any attacks early. The win was well fought for, deserved and the opponents could have no complaints that they were beaten by the better team on the night even if the game was a little ‘chess-like’ at times. We made the journey down the A5 ten days later to play Bala Town who would no doubt be looking to take out their frustrations on us with regard to their last minute cup defeat in Holyhead the previous month. On a cold, wet and miserable day at Maes Tegid, we took a 16th minute lead when indecision at the heart of the Bala defence allowed Curt to lob Paul Evans for a well taken goal. Bala responded well to this set back and should have equalised only minutes later when a superb cross from Warren Duckett was missed by Marc Griffiths from only 2 yards out. Bala clearly felt they should have had a clear cut penalty, their vehement protestations turned down by the Referee who endeared himself further to the home faithful on the half hour mark by disallowing a goal for Bala. It was not one way traffic however and Paul Evans denied Curt Williams with an excellent stop soon after. The match was levelled on 41 minutes when the referee spotted a hand ball on the line resulting in Huw Price converting the penalty, despatched clinically as befits somebody who has an extraordinary amount of practice with regard to how many penalties Bala are awarded. To the dismay of the home bench in particular, the offending player did not receive a red card which was a back handed compliment in itself seeming as though they weren’t confident in their abilities to beat us fair and square. The second half did not live up to the excitement of the first half and chances were limited as the pitch became boggy with the incessant rain. Bala hearts were fluttering as they cleared a Holyhead chance which stuck in the mud on the line. In the end, a hard fought draw seemed a fair result and draws away from home against teams like Bala can never be sneered at. December 2007 Ruthin Town were our first visitors in December on a very blustery day. With what felt like a force 9 gale howling from one end of the ground to the other, our visitors lost the toss and played with the wind in the first half. The conditions offered no advantage to us as the winds were exceptional and the balance of play in the first half was pretty even throughout. Ruthin naturally tried a number of long-range punts from 30 yards plus to test Liam but his handling was exemplary. Curt Williams occasionally looked dangerous but the weather was prevailing and many passes were going astray because of this. Ruthin continued trying to play the ball on the ground in the second half playing into the gale but within two minutes of the restart, we scored what many felt would be the crucial goal. A Mike Edwards in-swinging corner assisted by the elements went directly into the net. Having used the elements to his own advantage, Eddy proceeded to send in further corner-kicks which Llyr Williams had to be on his toes to deal with. The win was certainly fought for and although the football on offer wasn’t the best, there are some days where this is inevitable and points are what matter on days like these. The following Saturday saw us make the trip eastwards into the Vale of Clwyd where Llandyrnog United awaited our arrival. Having lost two players to injury on our last visit there, you could have been forgiven for fearing the worst. Those omens didn’t come close to what literally turned out to be a Nightmare on Cae Nant! Jon Slater, last seasons thorn in our side was to be the architect yet again. After hammering four goals without reply against Buckley Town the previous weekend, Llandyrnog were quickly into their stride and took the lead with their first attack after only two minutes when a slip by a defender allowed Slater to pounce and he went on to score with a neat finish to the bottom corner. This gave the home side a lot of confidence and they imposed themselves upon us with some good passing and movement by their midfield quartet. The continued pressure eventually paid off with three further goals in an eight minute spell between the 15th and 23rd minutes. First, Vernon cut in from the right, Tomos Jones doing well to block the shot but the ball fell kindly to Slater who finished with style giving our debutant goalkeeper Elliot Smith no chance. Llandyrnog were clearly in the ascendancy and a Chris Williams effort, initially blocked was followed up by Slater who made no mistake from six yards to give him his first ever Cymru Alliance hat-trick. Things went from bad to worse within minutes as good play between Owain Roberts and Craig Wilkinson allowed Roberts to steal into the penalty area and score with a low shot into the bottom corner. To our credit, we did not give up and within two minutes we replied when Mike Edwards scored with an excellent direct free kick. This gave us the faintest glimmer of hope although we were more thankful that half time came without us conceding any further goals. Llandyrnog clearly not content with being 4 - 1 up, started the second half on fire with their midfielders creating further good chances which were spurned by them trying to play too much football in the final third. This period of pressure thankfully brought no further goals. We continued to play some good football when we could get hold of the thing on a pitch which was getting increasingly heavier and were rewarded for our continued efforts when Mike Edwards cut inside from the right and gave Ian Davies no chance with a powerful low shot from the edge of the box. This was our own Harbourmen’s high tide because our hosts took control again, the introduction of Rhys Llwyd on the right giving them immediate impetus as he crossed for Slater who could not get direction to his header. There were still obviously goals left in this game though and sadly it was former Preston North End player Craig Wilkinson who beat his man with quick feet and finished with a clinical low strike into the bottom corner of Elliot’s goal. Within a minute ‘Dyrny’ completed the rout, scoring their sixth and best goal of the game with Slater sliding in at the far post to finish off an accurate low cross from his full back after a lung bursting run by the defender. Slater did however miss the most simplest chance of the game heading a simple cross over the bar from six yards but by this point, we were starting to run out of fingers to count the goals on such was the festive feast on offer here. Three days later, we were once again heading up the A55 in the direction of Rhyl for a midweek North Wales Coast cup game. After the result on the previous Saturday, you could have forgiven poor young Elliot for having nightmares the night before after the baptism of fire he underwent on his debut against Llandyrnog although he wasn’t to blame for any of the goals that day. With a sparse home crowd present no doubt due to the prices being charged at Belle Vue for entrance to a cup game not to mention Liverpool's all-or-nothing Champions League game being shown live in a nice warm comfortable living room near you on ITV. It was sadly inevitable that it would affect the crowd at Belle Vue and so it proved but for us hardy souls in attendance, many from Holyhead, we got to see our young guns do us proud in an absorbing cup tie. Many League of Wales teams go to Belle Vue looking to defend and hit on the odd counter-attack but we don’t take no notice of other scripts and from the off we played our part in an exciting affair. Rhyl thought they had scored inside the first five minutes when Matthew Holt headed in a Mark Connolly free-kick but the goal was ruled out. It was not long before the Lilywhites were ahead though with big Dave Cameron heading home from a Chris Roberts corner. Further trouble was in store after 22 minutes with Mark Connolly hitting one of his trademark free-kicks into the net. To our credit, we never let our heads drop and we went very close to pulling one back when Curt Williams struck a firm shot against a post and Ian Williams put the rebound wide. Early in the second half, our hosts nearly made it three when Michael White blasted a 20-yard stunner off the underside of the bar. Rhyl then made three substitutions as our pace, particularly up front was causing them problems. Mike Edwards made a great run down the left and set up Ian Williams who should have done better but miscued badly from 12 yards. As is often the case when playing against teams from higher leagues, you are left to rue missed chances and five minutes from time, Dave Cameron bagged his brace, Rhyl’s third and it was goodnight Hotspur! We certainly weren’t shown up on the night despite the score-line looking like a comfortable win and were praised by our hosts for our style of football if not for some of the ‘original’ sounding Christmas carols coming from the Hotspur choir. Mynydd Isa were our next opponents four days later at home. Spurred on by a good performance away at Rhyl in midweek, our boys were in no mood to surrender on home territory and so it proved with us taking a 10th minute lead after a Mike Edwards cross found ’Loggs’ who scored with a bullet header. Chris Boulton squared things up within 3 minutes, racing clear of our static defence to send a curling shot past Elliot in goal. At the other end, Curt Williams was making the opposition keeper work hard for his money forcing two very good saves but Isa stood firm. With the game looking likely to peter out into a draw, Isa had the chance to settle the match through Jon Leonard but his effort was thwarted. We then broke away very quickly up field and a raking pass found Marc Evans unmarked who rifled the ball home into the corner of the net. With only seconds to go, Mike Edwards hit a shot on target which took a wicked deflection to give a score line of 3 - 1 which seemed slightly unkind on the gallant visitors who had fought hard but fair throughout the match. The following week saw the last game before Christmas played at home, in front of some spectators in fancy dress no doubt looking to enter into the spirit of the season. Sadly, others were behaving as though they had spent a week drinking spirits such was their usual aggressive manner towards fans, officials, players and indeed the two fingers they seem to get away with sticking up constantly at referees although some of these don’t seem to help themselves. Much has been already been said elsewhere about this sorry afternoon so to keep it brief here and not waste any more breath on the ‘Lawmen’ (has any team elsewhere ever been labelled with such a less befitting name), they were on the end of a white-washing (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northwest/sites/football//pages/ca221207.shtml) and at 6 goals down, decided to abandon the game on the basis of hearsay. The allegations in this case would never have reached a court of law yet football operates on a different planet to the legal world and what has happened has been dealt with and is now over. Suffice to say, certain people are no longer on Christmas card lists, we all live in fear of scurrilous accusations being levied in future as there seems to be little protection afforded to players as they can be indicted on the say so of opponents and the FAW no doubt surely have an obligation to pay for hearing tests for all match officials from now on! Oh, Ian Williams bagged a brace with Daz Garmey, Marc Evans and Mike Edwards each scored along with one of the audio-grammatically perfect Lex players too who kindly ‘threw one in’! Merry Christmas one and all eh. Following on from this debacle, we make our way to Flint the following weekend in heavy rain. If the game was in any doubt before kickoff, it certainly was after the match started with the incessant rain rafting across the Mersey and managing to drench the supporters wherever they were perched. After losing our young keeper Elliot in the warm-up, Liam Shanahan stepped back into the breach again and was immediately called into action. Flint totally dominated the first half with their opening goal coming following some hesitant defending. Sean Beck robbed his marker and stole clear to open their account. Matt Harvey was the architect behind the Silkmen's second goal, picking out Beck with a perfect pass leaving him to chip Liam Shanahan from way out. Flint deteriorated badly in the second half and Ian Williams reduced the arrears heading home a Mike Kelly cross. Curt Williams missed a simple chance to pull Spurs level, but Marc Evans deservedly squared matters in the 71st minute. It was no less than we deserved for if the first half was all about the hosts then the second half summed up what this Hotspur squad is all about. Guts, fight, fitness not to mention the ability to take notice of a half-time team-talk by Campbell and Mark! In any case, we were certainly ending the year after another 12 months of progression both on and off the pitch. January 2008 Our first game of the new year saw us take a trip up to Wrexham again to visit Gresford who we had met on the opening day of the season. With new signing Lee Dixon on board, the signals being sent out by the club were positive. Managing to sign players from higher league clubs is never easy. To sign one as highly rated from a team who were ignoring their local talent sounds like a fable although no doubt his old paymasters could have done no worse than read up on Aesop’s tale regarding the Lion and the Mouse! We would have won this clash by a much bigger margin had it not been for Gresford keeper Gareth Rowland who we found in awesome form, his skills no doubt honed due to his teams inability to defend well this season. Mike Edwards opened the Spurs account with a splendid volley and soon after Tom Nathan beat Rowland with a long range looping shot. Tom Nath again made the most of Gresford’s defensive frailties netting his second of the day before Mike Edwards fired a 20 yard free-kick through the Gresford wall into the top corner of the goal with the keeper unsighted. Following a goalmouth scramble, Dave Lloyd set up Mike Pugh for a consolation goal for the hosts but that was as good as it got for our hosts. It was fitting for Mike Edwards to be presented with his player of the month trophy for December after another decent performance but most pleasing was the result after two weeks of inactivity. With the next weekend games being washed out, it was another fortnight before we would play again. This time, Mynydd Isa were our visitors in the League Cup Quarter Finals. Having reached the final of this competition last season, there were high hopes that we may get another bite of the cherry and progress to the semi-finals at least this year. A quick look at the Isa team sheet no doubt boosted morale amongst the troops seeing that they were having to field their manager in goal due to injuries to their other stoppers. Football can be a funny game though and so it proved with Gareth Thomas marshalling his defence brilliantly from his goalmouth. He twice denied Mike Edwards and then saved a certain goal at the feet of Darren Garmey. The only goal of the game came mid way through the first half when Isa captain John Leonard turned in a Simon Hulse corner kick. The longer the game went on, the more you marvelled at the way Mynydd Isa were controlling the game by retaining the ball well and restricting our play to ineffective areas of the pitch. There could be no complaints that the more effective team won on the day and you could see what the result meant to Isa judging by their reaction at the final whistle. February 2008 The opening game of February saw us make our last mammoth away trip of the season down to the Mid-Wales village of Penrhyncoch. Quite a surreal setting to find a floodlit football ground in although their clubhouse is something to be admired and there is no doubt that once we build ours up to something similar, the money we will be able to raise for our club will make a significant contribution to our ambitions. The game itself was more akin to a kick boxing contest at times and how Curt Williams managed to escape Cae Baker with his ankle intact is anybody’s guess with after an agricultural (for want of a better word) challenge on him far worse than any of the recent tackles highlighted on national television on the ‘stars’ of the English Premier League. Marc Evans gave us a well earned lead and even the locals were predicting a hammering for their own boys. How we didn’t was perhaps reminiscent of games earlier on in the season when after taking the lead, we would end up surrendering 2 points when seemingly on the brink of victory. ‘Loggs’ opener was cancelled out by Chris Wilkins and although ’Loggs’ restored the Spurs advantage, Josh Shaw squared the match almost from the restart. Ironically, Ian Williams who had earlier replaced his namesake Curt was then scythed down with a tai-kwondo or ‘Ysbyty’ challenge! The sort of tackling only somebody with double vision may possibly get away with committing! The journey home was a jolly affair though with people seriously fearing for Steve ‘Toffo’ after he had consumed his four pack for the month! Apparently he’s allergic to the stuff or so he claimed and that’s why he spent the return journey falling down the aisle of the bus, texting the sisters of anybody who had one and snoring later on! We were on our travels again a week later this time for the short trip to Llandudno. Although handily placed in the league, they are never the sort of team we struggle to play well against and are usually less effective towards the back end of the season for some reason as was proved on this occasion. On a warm day by the sea, our hosts started brightly with Chris Hogg giving Llandudno the lead, an angled drive in the 9th minute beating Elliot comprehensively. It was all square by the break though with Mike Edwards converting a 26th minute penalty as a result of regular penalty taker Curt William’s injury the previous time out. We took a firm hold of the game in the second half with Darren Garmey netting after a very well worked free-kick and Marc Evans striking a third goal to earn us maximum points after a performance of maximum effort. On a sad note though, yet another reckless challenge on Gerallt Jones in the first half saw him taken to hospital with what looked like a bullet wound to his knee. Casey Jones too came on as a second half substitute and lasted only a few minutes before a heavy challenge sent him on his way to hospital with a suspected broken ankle. Little wonder that manager’s are regularly showing concern with regard to the referee’s protection (or rather lack of) of their player’s welfare. Guilsfield made the long trip to Holyhead the following Saturday and probably wished they hadn’t bothered by 4.15pm.This game was all one way traffic at times and the visitors looked a mere shadow of the team that so valiantly kept us at bay back in November at their place with just 9 men. Still, they managed to hold us at arms length until the 39th minute when Mike Edwards created an opening for Marc Evans who duly beat Lee Edwards in the Guilsfield goal. ‘Loggs’ added to his tally on the stroke of half time with a stunning free-kick. From being provider, Mike Eddy scored from a tight angle before Ian Williams was dismissed with a straight red card shown. ‘Loggs’ capped a fine day's work by completing his hat-trick on 65 minutes and we went nap in the 73rd minute when Eddy doubled his personal tally. All-in-all, a day to savour as it’s not every day you score five goals, keep a clean sheet AND play brilliant football! March 2008 After another good month of results in February , we made our way up to Buckley after another two week lay off due to the uneven number of clubs in the league after Bodedern’s sad demise. Although Buckley were pretty well beaten back in October in Holyhead, their results had since improved with their young squad now looking to be gelling well. We all knew this would be a tough game as they all are in this league, not least against Buckley (although if Buckley’s ambitious plans of 2003 had come to fruition, we could well have been lining up against a player-manager going by the name of Paul Gascoigne (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/2654675.stm)! Miles Todd gave our hosts a 20th minute lead against the run of play but recently announced 'Player of the Month' Marc Evans turned the game on its head with two great goals, one on each side of the break. The game was all about Hotspur but we again failed to make our domination pay off handsomely and Buckley, desperate to get a point from the match, saw Alan Dawson’s two efforts cleared off the line. With the majority of injury time exhausted, Dawson equalised with a clever near post header from a Matty Roberts cross which only just evaded the attention of the goalpost. To say we felt deflated would be an understatement although when results from elsewhere filtered in, it seemed that the gods had been on our side and that we wouldn’t be rueing the two points dropped on this day as much as we may have done, for the moment at least. Llandyrnog United were the next visitors on the Ynys Mon horizon and to say that we felt we owed them a game after the non-event back at Cae Nant in December would be the understatement of the century. Having lost their talismanic striker not to mention nemesis of our last few meetings Jon Slater, to Caersws, there had never been a better time to show them what we truly were capable of. Our boys are never better than when they have a point to prove and prove it they did against a Llandyrnog side which had no foot-balling answers to the questions we asked of them, only some late tackles which seem to have become prevalent in this league as the season has gone on. No protection from the referee yet again resulted in Campbell having a word in the indignant official’s ‘shell-like’ which resulted in the manager being sent to the stand. Curt Williams had already had his brush with officialdom earlier on in the week having been handed a five match ban following on from the Lex XI game which was abandoned back in December. His response to the announcement was to smash a hat-trick past a clueless Llandyrnog side. Completing the rout was Marc Evans. Denbigh followed the path trodden by our previous visitors just four days earlier on a night when the game had been in some doubt due to the amount of rain Anglesey had seen over the previous 48 hours. By the time kickoff came around, the wind became the major factor by way of influence on the game. Another hat-trick by the in-form Marc Evans was the highlight of this 4 - 2 win over Denbigh although the scoring was opened with Lee Dixon putting through his own goal on 18 minutes, ’Loggs’ pegging the visitors back on the half hour. Five minutes later after a flowing move involving Mike Kelly, Mike Edwards and Tom Edwards, ’Loggs’ once again struck past the opposition keeper giving him no chance. Parity was restored on the stroke of half time though through Lucas Brookes. Mike Edwards gave us a 3-2 lead on 56 minutes after a poor clearance by keeper Jamie Hulse caught the wind and the last word was left to Marc Evans who claimed the match ball at the death with another typically cool finish. Sad to see what looked like a serious injury to Mark Orme, the Denbigh skipper after he went up for a header with one of our lads who landed awkwardly on their player. Luckily, the damage wasn’t too serious and the player later sent a message to say thanks to everybody who looked after him following him being stretchered off. We made the reverse journey along the A55 passing Denbigh 3 days later en route to Ruthin’s Memorial Playing Fields. A day to stick in some peoples memories alright. Sadly, for all the wrong reasons suffice to say I eagerly anticipate their next game in Holyhead that is if their ‘well looked after’ boys from Chester don’t find a more lucrative gravy train heading elsewhere in the meantime. This was another one of those banana-skin type games where although you are playing a team low down in the league table, you can clearly see that the young talent is starting to fire and the fixture had Buckley Town written all over it. Marc Evans had just received his trophy for February Player of the month too which would pray on the minds of anybody in the least bit superstitious. The expectation was therefore of an open entertaining game between two young sides who enjoy playing good football. We started the game at a high tempo with Curt Williams, playing his last game before a five game ban, and Marc Evans prominent up front. Ruthin were not without their own opportunities though and we were clearly up against a fit young team who were playing a similar game to ourselves. In the second half, Ruthin almost gifted Marc Evans an early breakthrough with some slack defending but his shot just went wide of the post. The game then turned into a real end to end thriller with both defences coping admirably. The most dangerous moments came from corners with Mike Edwards putting in some searching crosses into the home box. Time was beginning to run out and with both sides seemingly not content with a draw. We had a succession of corners from the 90th to the 92nd minute with the referee being encouraged by Ruthin fans to blow his whistle but as was the pattern of the game, Ruthin then attacked on the counter and forced us into conceding a corner. A quality ball into the penalty area was met at the near post by Gary Ellison to nod in. Naturally, some of the celebrations were probably heard in the goalkeeper’s Chester Mansion while we were left to rue the snatch and grab we had just witnessed although as fans, we were proud of the fact we had seen a statement of intent from our team, away from home, that we were not content with a draw which can only bode well for the future ambitions of us all. Bala were our penultimate visitors of the 2007/2008 season to our Holyhead home for what would be our third game against the men from Maes Tegid this season, the previous two fixtures being dogged affairs resulting in a win and a draw. Naturally, we were mindful that we couldn’t afford to complete the set by losing a game which could have seriously dented our hopes of finishing in 2nd place in the league. Bala, having gone down to a 3 - 1 defeat to 9 man Lex XI the previous week were clearly still troubled early on in this game. We were in full control of the first half hour of proceedings and Bala keeper Mark Nicolson pulled off a string of saves to keep the visitors in the match although for a keeper, he seemed to be more adept at clearing the ball with all parts of his anatomy bar hands! Kate Bush sung about the Rubberband girl once upon a time but whenever I watch this keeper play, I can’t help but think that she would have sung about a Rubber-boned boy if she had written the lyrics while watching him. Teflon he most certainly was! Bala created little in the way of chances but were given a huge boost on 30 minutes when Holyhead defender Lee Dixon was dismissed for taking exception to the continued petulance of Ows Roberts. Bala failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority and made no impression whatsoever on our goal. We then spurned an easy opportunity on the stroke of half time. The second half was no kinder to Bala and poor defending gifted us the opening goal on the hour when a cross eluded all the defenders leaving Marc Evans free to tap the ball into the net at the far post. Bala then decided to start playing and levelled on 65 minutes when Gethin Lloyd beat the keeper with a good shot low into the corner of the net. It looked as though a draw was on the cards until we hit a long hopeful ball into the Bala penalty area in the 92nd minute. Inexplicably, one of their defenders offered up his arm to the ball much to the delight of the home fans. The penalty was emphatically fired home by man of the moment Marc Evans to the delight of a large home crowd and to the despair of the Bala contingent who were clearly incensed at what was a cast iron penalty. The referee then had to contend with Bala players haranguing him until he blew for full time shortly after. What happened outside the changing rooms after the game was not just disgraceful but down well frightening for all the women, children and older people who had the misfortune to have to witness the events. Suffice to say that Ows Roberts can not claim to have slipped into Mike Edwards path accidentally with a head-butt and the conduct of certain members of the travelling party was not what we’ve come to expect of them over the past few seasons of us doing fair and competitive battle with them. If people had any notion of what is right and wrong, this type of incident would never happen but the least anybody could do after acting in such a manner would be to apologise for their behaviour. http://www.holyheadhotspur.com/news.php?subject=news