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HOLYHEAD Hotspur suffered only their second league defeat of the season as they went down 2-1 to struggling Nefyn United.
Manager Emlyn Manley-Williams would rue his side’s missed opportunities, as the visitors were undone by the determination of the battling hosts.
Their first chance came to Kenleigh Owen, but he failed to control the ball after he was found in a promising position.
On 12 minutes, Nefyn keeper Ian Aikman did well to push a Mel McGuiness round the post, and soon after the keeper denied the same player from a one-on-one position.
United were more than matching Hotspur, and took the lead just before the half hour mark after Brian Matthews’ strong foraging run was rewarded when he beat keeper Ben Heald with a strong finish.
McGuiness led his side’s response, but after he had a header saved by Aikman, he uncharacteristically drove wide after being fed through.
Heald made a fine ponit blank save from Llyr ap Gruffydd on 37 minutes, before at the other end, McGuiness squandered another opportunity as he shot over the bar.
The second half began in similar fashion to the first, as Kenleigh Owen tried to force an equaliser after 49 minutes, but Aikman produced a fine stop to prevent his fierce drive from going in.
On 67 minutes, United’s John Puw saw red after a heated clash with Chris Saxon, who was booked.
Spurs began to pile on the pressure, and it finally paid off after 78 minutes, when McGuiness converted a penalty after Gareth Owen was fouled in the area.
Two minutes later, Saxon saw a second booking and was sent for an early bath.
Nefyn had stood firm under pressure from the visitors, and were rewarded on 85 minutes, when ap Gruffydd forged a path through the Hotspur backline, and unleashed a shot from 20 yards that deceived Heald, and earned a deserved three points for the unfancied Llyn Peninsula side.
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