MATCH REPORT | Holywell Town 4-1 Gresford Athletic | 2023/24 JD Cymru North, Matchday 19

Gresford Athletic suffered a tough defeat against Holywell Town away on matchday 19 of the 2023/24 JD Cymru North on Saturday.

The first real chance of the game fell to Gresford Athletic, with Charley Edge looking for a 12th-minute opener with a decent effort from 25-yards out, but Holywell Town goalkeeper Shaun Pearson made a good save.

Things turned bad for Gresford Athletic in the 26th minute, as Adam Hesp handled the ball in the box and received a sending off, whilst Holywell Town were awarded a penalty. However, Danny Sullivan stepped up and missed the penalty, keeping the score level.

Then, despite being down to 10 men, Gresford Athletic took the lead in the 41st minute, with Toby Gallagher-Keenan firing the ball into the top corner after Alex Buxton's good pass forward.

However, right before half time, Holywell Town found the equaliser, with Mike Pearson heading the ball into the back of the net, with the whistle blowing for half time at 1-1.

Gresford Athletic did well as the second half started, but their hard work did not find results, as referee Rhys Parry blew for another spot kick for Holywell Town after Paul Johnson was deemed to have pulled down Danny Sullivan in the box. Jamie Breese put away the penalty in the 62nd minute, but was made to retake it after some protesting from the Gresford Athletic players. However, he did then smash the penalty into the back of the net on a second attempt, giving The Wellmen the lead.

Holywell Town piled on the misery in the 78th minute, with Jake Cooke adding onto his hat-trick from the last game against Gresford Athletic and making it 3-1, although Gresford Athletic can feel hard done by after calls for a potential foul on Lewis Dutton.

Then, unfortunately, Holywell Town add a fourth just before full time, with Sam Jones rounding off a big result for The Wellmen in the 87th minute.

The full time whistle blew and Gresford Athletic were beaten 4-1 as Holywell Town continued their hunt for first place in the 2023/24 JD Cymru North table.

Toby Gallagher-Keenan was voted as Gresford Athletic Man of the Match for putting in a good performance and scoring the goal for Gresford Athletic.

Holywell Town

Starting XI: S. Pearson (GK), Evans, Sullivan, Andrews (C), Cooke, M. Pearson, Cornish (Williams - 73'), Breese (Jones - 84'), Hart, Murray (McGilloway - 73'), Edwards (Farren - 84')

Goalscorers: M. Pearson, Breese, Cooke, Jones

Subs not used: French (GK), Bibby

Gresford Athletic

Starting XI: Dutton (GK), Bennett, Hesp, Johnson, Buxton (Mann - 68'), Griffiths (C) (J. Smith - 84'), Pownall, Williams (S. Smith - 68'), Edge, Mannion (Deacon - 58'), Gallagher-Keenan (Ozlu - 58')

Goalscorers: Gallagher-Keenan

Yellow cards: Johnson

Red cards: Hesp

Match Officials

Referee: Rhys Parry

Assistant Referees: Harvey Smallman, Steven Roberts