HOLYHEAD Hotspur manager Darren Garmey gave special praise to Aberffraw goalkeeper Darren Baker after his side avoided a scare to advance in the FAW Trophy.

The Holy Islanders’ were pushed all the way by their lower league opponents before eventually making it through to the next stage of the competition, with vastly experience stopper Baker producing a series of phenomenal saves the 2-1 home triumph after extra time for the hosts.

Garmey, said: “I am really glad to be through to the next round. Aberfraw set out to frustrate us and succeeded for long periods of the game.

“I have to say I am happy with the amount of chances we created and on another day we could have hit double figures, but today that was not the case partly down to bad finishing but mostly down the heroics of their keeper who was outstanding all afternoon.”

The hosts received a real shock early on when Geraint Jones pounced to give the Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Division Two basement dwellers a shock lead heading into the break.

After the break saw the home side finally get back on level terms when Corey Jones made the most of some space to steer in a leveller on the hour mark, but Baker managed to pull off some outstanding saves throughout the remainder of the contest to send the game into extra time.

This same pattern continued throughout much of the additional 30 minutes, but Spurs got a crucial lead for the first and final time when Robert Jones finished well following some concerted pressure.

Others to book their place in the hat were Barmouth and Dyffryn United, Bodedern Athletic, Gaerwen, Menai Bridge Tigers, Nantlle Vale, Penrhyndeudraeth and Llanrug United.