Coming into the game off a 4-0 away victory at Llandudno Junction, manager Iolo Owen was keen to carry on the winning streak. Prior to the match Iolo was presented with his Award for Manager of the Month for October. The team had an early start for the 2 o’clock kickoff, and had to wait until 10:30 for a pitch inspection to be carried out following heavy rain.

Iolo Owen has now got a selection headache having grown the squad with the latest influx of talent, and Saturday saw him have to leave Some regulars on the bench, the team lineup with Dave Jones in goal, a back four of Joe Soar, Jono Harrison, Ste Bratt, and Osian Owen, in midfield he lined up Carwyn Jones, Joey Jones, Llion Owen and Rob Murfet with Rob Owen and Bobby Griffith up front. Substitutes were Ben Fisher, Tom Cezec and Jamie Jones. This had to be one of the strongest teams the Magpies would take to an away game for a long time.

Having completed the warmup on what could only be described as a swamp, both teams observed an impeccable minutes silence. Having won the toss the home side elected to change sides in order to take advantage of the strong wind. As the game kicked off the heavens opened, a down pour that lasted most of the first half. From the outset it was clear Holyhead were going to be physical, within the opening exchanges the home sides left back Jordan Murphy was shown a yellow card for a late challenge. Barmouth showed great composure from the beginning, not getting drawn into the gamesmanship of the home side, and it took only 7” for the Magpies to take the lead, a great move through midfield saw Carwyn Jones and Rob Murfet combine, this left Llion Owen open on the right, composed he fired across goal and into the net. With the rain falling onto the already soaked pitch, both team struggled to move the ball through the middle of the park, Joey Jones getting the better of the Holyhead defence, was able to get down the left over and over, combining with Rob Owen caused numerous problems for the home side. Mid way through the half Rob Owen was fouled on the edge of the box, Rob Murfet took the free kick and fired just over. Joe Soar had a great opportunity on the half hour, a corner from the left was punched away, Joe Soar picking the ball up just outside the box fired a first time shot just past the post. With only seconds left in the half, Holyhead Town found themselves going down to 10 men following a Red Card to Jordan Murphy for a off the ball incident.

As if by magic the teams got ready to start the second half, the rain had stopped and the wind that had helped the home side in the first half had subsided. From the kickoff the Magpies turned the screw on the home side in a bid to make the extra man count, piling on the pressure, Barmouth were awarded a penalty on 49” following a foul on Joey Jones, Rob Murfet stepped up to take, only for his effort to be saved by Goal Keeper Michael Bentley. Rob Owen up front would see an effort go wide moments later, the forward causing problems with his runs, linking up play, and getting into dangerous positions. On 63” Ste Bratt would come close, a corner from the left hanged above the box, Ste leaped above the defence and fired a built header just over the bar. With 25 to go manager Iolo Owen made his first of two substitutions, Ben Fisher coming on for Bobby Griffith, Boddy having given all on a truly poor surface made way for Ben who was returning following a spell away. Within minutes Ben Fisher made his mark on the game, the ball landing at his feet 40 yards from goal, he spotted the keeper of his line and fired the ball over the defence and into the empty goal. Moments after the goal Barmouth nearly went 3-0 up, Tom Czekeryla on for Joe Soar, put a delightful cross in from the right, Rob Murfet free on the left heads at goal only for the keeper to punch clear, from the rebound Rob Murfet plays the ball to Rob Owen, with his back to goal he turns in and fires a screamer at goal only for the keeper Micheal Bentley to save for a second time.
Following the second goal the home side began to put pressure on the Barmouth defence, but Jono Harrison and Ste Bratt with Dave Jones behind them were more than up to the challenge.

Credit has to go to Holyhead Town goalkeeper Micheal Bentley who was given Man of the Match for the home side, on another day Barmouth would have come away with a hatful of goals.

Rob Owen was justly awarded Man of the Match by the home side, his work rate was a catalyst in the team’s success, unlucky not to get on the score sheet, Rob will be looking to get the goals in next time out when he is due to make his home debut.

The result sees the Magpies rise to 9th in the league, with 14 points, and with the improvements made to personnel things are looking good.

Next run out for the lads will see Pentreath make the trip to The Wern Mynach on 16th of November, a 14:00 kickoff.

Barmouth & Dyffryn United FC

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