HOLYHEAD Hotspur lie three points away from the Lock Stock Welsh Alliance title after their 3-1 win over title rivals Holywell Town.
The Harbourmen look ahead to their final league clash, at home to Llanrwst United, knowing that a win will secure the championship and promotion for the Holy Island side.
With a Barrit Cup final clash to look forward to in the coming weeks, Hotspur are still on course for an historic treble having already won the Cookson Cup in March, and they will be looking to sow up promotion to the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance this coming Saturday.
Prior to last weekend’s win against the Wellmen, Hotspur received the news that they would be deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player.
Chris Saxon’s 80th-minute substitute appearance in Holyhead’s 5-1 league victory against Caernarfon Wanderers in February was deemed punishable by the FAW, as he had been previously banned for three matches following a red card at Nefyn in January.
The club believed him to be eligible to play, but one of the matches missed by Saxon - a Barrit Cup tie in February - was not recognised by the FAW, due to the cup’s status as a memorial competition.
This three point deduction was announced prior to last week’s encounter, and the club were dismayed with the verdict.
Holyhead Hotspur Media Officer Gareth Davies said: “We’re very disappointed as a club, but it made is doubly determined to get all three points on Saturday.
“We thought it was a very unjust decision, and we feel as though we’ve been fall guys.”
Emlyn Manley Williams’ side were fully aware of the importance of last week’s clash in light of their punishment, and the players produced a vintage performance in front of 400 of the New Stadium faithful, as they opened up a four-point gap at the summit of the Welsh Alliance.
It was the visitors who struck the first major blow after just 90 seconds, as John Hasseldin rose above a crowded area to firmly head Mike Alsopp’s delivery beyond the reach of Ben Heald.
Holyhead found it hard to get going initially, but gained confidence after going close with headers from Alex Jones and Chris Saxon.
And on the stroke of half time, they equalised when Mel McGinness set up Mike Edwards to rifle past keeper Ricard Dolphin.
The second half saw the hosts dominate proceedings, and they went ahead on 69 minutes, when McGiness diverted a Chris Saxon header in following a Jay Gibbs corner.
Ten minutes later the win was wrapped up when Mike Edwards’ show of spirit and determination resulted in a corner, and McGinness was on hand to poke an effort beyond the despairing Dolphin in goal.