ST ASAPH City returned to competitive action with a 2-0 defeat at Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Division One leaders Holyhead Hotspur.

The Saints’ 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 clash.

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 half way 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 today 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, their 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 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 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, but City held firm in the face of unrelenting pressure until Asa Thomas’ long-range effort flew into the net on 60 minutes.

They were undone again late on when Thomas hit his second of the afternoon straight from a corner with five remaining to round off the scoring.