Ynys Môn claimed gold for the first time in 20 years after Melvin McGinness’ goal beat Guernsey at a packed New Stadium.
Campbell Harrison’s men came from behind to claim gold on home soil in front of a 3000+ crowd, beating the next hosts of the Inter-Island games.
Keanu Marsh opened the scoring for Guernsey but the visitors had to defend their lead when Frank Tobin received a straight red card for a deliberate handball. Both sides had missed a penalty, as Matt Loaring saw his spot kick saved by Paul Pritchard.
Despite a missed penalty from Sam Jones, Liam Morris and Mel McGinness scored in the second half as Ynys Mon benefited from the extra man.
It was the visitors who started the brightest, with Keanu March scoring a fine volley after a shot was deflected into his path.
The hosts had a golden chance to equalise through Sam Jones but his shot was saved on the line by Frank Tobin, who was duly sent off for a deliberate handball. Jones picked up the ball in order to take the resulting penalty, but his effort was well saved by opposition goalkeeper James Hamon.
Just 10 minutes later, there was another penalty awarded, this time for Guernsey, after the impressive Keanu Marsh was tripped by Dean Garmey after beating the Anglesey man to a loose ball. However, Matt Loaring’s shot was excellently saved by Paul Pritchard to keep Ynys Môn within one goal of their opponents.
Paul Pritchard made another heroic contribution just before half time, with his quick reflexes saving Jardim’s shot and the rebound!
After the break, both teams made changes, with Guernsey opting to bring the dangerous attacker Jardim off, with defender Jacob Fallaize replacing him; whereas Ynys Môn took off defender Alex Jones and replaced him with rapid winger Alex Boss.
Within five minutes of his introduction, Boss broke the offside trap, but couldn’t beat Hamon who raced off his line to collect the ball. Ynys Môn’s Mel McGinness’ shot flew over the bar, and Liam Morris had an effort fired narrowly wide, as the hosts began to dominate in their hope of getting back into the game.
Ynys Môn then turned the game on its head, with an inspired cross from the right finding Liam Morris, who masterfully fired a first-time volley beyond Hamon to equalise for the hosts.
By now, it seemed as though it was only a matter of time before Môn added a second, and it came seven minutes before full time, as Mel McGinness grabbed his third goal of the tournament, firing into the bottom corner to send the packed stadium into raptures.
Following some more last-minute heroics from Pritchard who captained the Island on his last game for Ynys Môn were crowned champions as the supporters raced onto the field at full time to celebrate the historic win!
Ynys Môn: Paul Pritchard, Dean Garmey, Alex Jones, Tom Taylor, Cai Powell-Roberts, Jay Gibbs, Ryan Taylor, Jordan Taylor, Mel McGinness, Sam Jones, Liam Morris.
(LlyniauHawlfraint/PhotosCopyright Aled Wyn Jones)
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