HOLYHEAD HOTSPUR 2

ST ASAPH CITY 0

IT could not have been a tougher return to competitive action from the perspective of St Asaph City.

On Saturday, the Saints lost out 2-0 during their trip to Lock Stock Welsh Alliance League Division One leaders Holyhead Hotspur.

St Asaph got back to playing matters after a demoralising few weeks for the club thanks to significant flood damage following Storm Ciara that impacted their clubhouse, changing rooms, kitchen and equipment.

This left preparations for their encounter at the Holy Islanders in disarray, which was not helped by a player shortage that left them with only 11 available players for the tough clash.

St Asaph manager Daniel Brewerton said: “After all the problems caused with the floods in recent weeks, it was great to finally get back to football matters.

“Preparations for the match were compromised massively in the days leading up to it with losing players through injury and illness.

"The FAW’s decision to impose a transfer window halfway through January meant that we are now unable to strengthen for the run into the end of the season.

“We had no choice but to travel... with a bare 11, but I’ve got to say the lads put in a great shift, the conditions were by far the worst I’ve ever witnessed with the whole game played virtually in one half of the pitch.

“Holyhead have a perfect home record so far, they're favourites to win the league this season and from what I’ve seen of them I’d say deservedly so, it was always going to be a massive challenge to get anything out of the game but the lads gave everything they had and for that I applaud them.

“The points were always going to go to the team that made the most of the wind behind them and unfortunately for us we could not capitalise on the first half we had.

"We’ve got eight games left now and plenty of work to do on and off the field.”

The visitors played with the wind in the first half, but they were unable to take any of the chances that came their way despite being camped in the Spurs’ half for almost the entirety of the first period.

Things were far tougher after the break.

City held firm in the face of unrelenting pressure until Asa Thomas’ long-range effort flew into the net after an hour.

St Asaph were undone again late on.

Thomas hit his second of the afternoon straight from a corner with five minutes remaining to round off the scoring.