HOLYHEAD Hotspur began their new era under Darren Garmey with a 5-2 reverse at Huws Gray Alliance promotion hopefuls Flint Town United.

The Holy Islanders were left rueing a number of costly errors in their opening day clash, and they have the perfect opportunity to put things right this Saturday in their home tie against Gresford Athletic at The New Stadium (2.30pm).

The Silkmen got off to a flyer and opened the scoring after just three minutes when Kai Wallis charged down a clearance past 16-year-old keeper Dan Williams, who was deputising for Carl Jones, and they doubled their advantage on 22 when talented playmaker Mark Cadwallader slotted home after another prolonged period of possession.

After the break saw Niall McGuinness’ men grab a third on 56 minutes, and it was Cadwallader on target with his second afternoon with a thumping effort to cap a sensational individual display from the midfielder.

Garmey’s side kept fighting and got themselves back into the contest when Alex Jones converted a rare opportunity after 61 minutes, but this jot proved to be short-lived as United struck again immediately following the restart when Andy Brown finished well on 61.

Back came the visitors yet again and they were rewarded for their improved play on 67 minutes courtesy of a Chris Jones effort, but despite their best efforts Spurs were unable to secure a nervy end to proceedings and the hosts notched another in the closing stages when Academy star Jake Hampton finished off a sweeping counter-attack to round off the scoring and mark his debut with a memorable goal.

Next up for the Holy Islanders are a Gresford squad that invested heavily over the summer, and Steve Halliwell’s men began the second-tier campaign with a convincing 3-1 triumph at Denbigh Town.