Holywell the winners at Nantporth

On a breezy evening at Nantporth, it was the visitors who took the lead early on when a defensive mix-up allowed Jake Cooke to chip the ball over Huw Shaw from just outside the penalty area.

Following a corner a few minutes later, the visitors had another chance but Thomas Bibby headed over the bar at the back post. They threatened twice more within the opening ten minutes. First of all, Ryan Edwards saw his low long range effort from a free-kick parried by Shaw and then Bibby headed wide from the resultant corner.

However, Holywell did manage to extend their advantage in the eleventh minute when Daniel Andrews broke through the middle and beat Shaw at the second attempt. A minute later, Jake Cooke came close to making it three with a shot that was parried at full stretch by Shaw. The ensuing corner then struck the post and was cleared.

The flurry of chances spurred Bangor into action. After seeing his initial shot from the right of the penalty area save, Sam Jones showed composure to play the ball across goal to Liam Morris, who found the net with a calm finish.

Holywell momentarily throught they had regained their two goal advantage shortly afterwards following a free-kick that was swung into to the area just before the twenty minute mark. However, the effort was chalked off as the ball had gone out of play before being headed back across goal.

Almost immediately afterwards, Bangor had a chance at the other end but Iolo Hughes headed narrowly wide from a corner.

At the midway point of the opening period, Holywell did manage to restore their two goal cushion. Julian Williams netted from close range after Shaw could only parry a shot form just outside the area by Mark Winslade.

Bangor went in search of a way back into the game and came close to reducing the deficit when Iolo Hughes headed narrowly over after Corrig McGonigle swung in a free-kick from the left.

Ten minutes before the break, Holywell opened up a three goal advantage when Zebb Edwards scored from the penalty sport after Shaw fouled Mark Winslade inside the area.

Five minutes before the break, Bangor came close to getting back into contention. Sam Jones saw his shot from a tight angle well saved by Shaun Pearson before the visiting keeper held Dan Cox's follow-up effort.

HALF-TIME: BANGOR 1876 1-4 HOLYWELL TOWN

After the break, the two sides cancelled each other out for most the first ten minutes of the second half. Holywell's Jake Cooke tried his luck from 25 yards but his powerful shot went narrowly wide.

Iolo Hughes again came close to scoring following set-piece just after the hour mark when he got his head on a free-kick from Cai Powell-Roberts, but his attempt was cleared off the line.

Midway through the second half, it was Holywell's turn to threaten again. Jake Cooke showed his pace to break into the left side of the penalty area but his shot from a narrow angle was well saved by replacement goalkeeper Carl Jones.

As the half progressed, Bangor had a lot of possession but failed to create many further opportunities. In the closing minutes, former Bangor player Sam Ashworth had a shot well saved by Carl Jones. There were to be no further goals as the league leaders secured an away victory.

FULL-TIME: BANGOR 1876 1-4 HOLYWELL TOWN

Our next game is on Saturday 14 October when we take on Cefn Albion in the Welsh Cup. Please note that we are now hosting this match at Nantporth. Kick off will be at 2.30pm.