There were no real surprises in the Welsh Cup on Saturday but hats
off to Brickfield and Llay Welfare who both went extremely close to
causing cup upsets.
Brickie looked on course for claiming the scalp of Buckley but
the turning point was the dismissal of their goalkeeper Andy Ruscoe
who was dismissed in the 47th minute following a skirmish. Without
doubt, the hunger and passion was back in Pat Oliver’s Brickfield
side and they took an early lead through Nathan Jones but back came
the visitors who hit back through Mark Roberts and Joe Garner. The
impressive Nathan Buckley struck twice for Brickie but Buckley
finished the stronger to clinch the tie 4-3 with goals from Mitch
Booth and Garner but only after ‘Brickie had the tie evenly poised
at 3-3.
Llay Welfare returned home feeling they had been cheated out of a
result at Holyhead Hotspur who took a hotly disputed lead in 17th
minute, goalkeeper Kevin Jones had clearly been impeded as he
spilled a corner and Lee Webber netted from close range. Playing
with the wind in the second half, Mariousz Prochenka levelled with a
strike from distance but to end the Llay dreams, sub Darren Garmie
grabbed the winning goal in stoppage time but again with a penalty
which was awarded controversially.
Denbigh Town dumped out Chirk AAA’s 4-1.
Llangollen were beaten 2-1 by Tywyn Bryncrug all after Lee Phelan
had given Llangollen an early lead.
Castell Alun Colts were sent crashing out with their heads held
high after going down 8-0 at previous holders Rhyl. Manager Gary
Crewe quipped “Rhyl took no chances in this Welsh Cup tie by
fielding their strongest team against us. With a strong wind at
their backs they hit five without reply by half time. We enjoyed
more territory second half ,and our best chance fell to Mike
Pritchard who broke free but had his shot blocked by Lee Kendall.
Three late goals finished off game. It would have been worse only
for a brilliant goalkeeping show by Rob Williams.
In the Premier Division, Penycae are the new leaders after
scalping Venture 3-1. Gareth Jones, Gareth Davies and Carwyn Davies
netted for the winners with James Roberts hitting back for Venture.
Acrefair Youth were turned over by Coedpoeth United 5-1 and
making up their nap hand were Nicky McCormack(2), Dave and John
Griffiths and Andrew Pryde.
Brymbo are up and running, goals from Daniel Hannaby(2) and Sean
Edwards enabled them to break their duck against Corwen.
Hawarden Rangers continue to build up a nice head of steam and
they floored Borras Park Albion 4-2 with efforts from Gary
McConnell, Tim McGarvey, Steve Owen and Mike Adamson. Reducing the
arrears were Declan Bourne and Barry Torrence.
The ace in the Rhos Aelwyd pack was Steve Brookes who netted a
goal in each half against Overton and cementing a 3-1 success was
Matty Homes with a fine solo goal. Replying with a lone consolation
was James Roberts.
In Division One, Llanuwchllyn silenced their critics with a
goal-less draw at league leaders Gwersyllt.
Glyn Ceiriog were beaten 3-1 by Johnstown Youth who were on
target through Chris Baddeley(2) and Wayne Vernon.
Penyffordd trailed 1-0 at home to Holt Nomads but came back
strongly to punish their opponents 4-1 with strikes from Sam
Richardson(2), Danny Stennet and Phil Simon.
In the RESERVES LEAGUE, leaders Rhos Aelwyd are having a
blistering start and they top the table by a huge ten point margin
after sinking Hawarden Rangers 3-0. On target were Darren Greenway
and Jamie Rogers who weighed in with a double salvo.
Pressing their claims for honours are Borras Park Albion but they
flopped 2-1 at home to Lex X1, Matt Woods on his debut fired the
lone Albion response.
Mynydd Isa crashed to a 3-2 defeat at home to Penycae whose
marksmen were Luke Jones, Ian Boyer Jones and Kevin Edwards. Hitting
back were Dwayne Riley and Luke Reece.
Gresford Athletic Reserves put out one of their strongest sides
for several months but even so they fell behind to a 12th minute
goal by the home side. The turning point came moments later when
their centre back received a second yellow card and he took no
further part in the proceedings. Richie Carr levelled just before
the break with a superb bi-cycle kick and then Gresford dominated
the second half but had to wait until the 83rd minute to get their
noses in front and the lively Rob Jones fired a splendid shot past
the keeper from just inside the box and with Buckley throwing
caution to the wind sub Jason Gray made the score 3-1 deep into
stoppage time.
Mold Alex Reserves took a half time lead against Airbus who
dominated the second period to win 3-1.
In the RESERVES AND COLTS league, Penyffordd failed to take the
opportunity to take over at the top and they were forced to share
six goals and the points with Coedpoeth United who netted a injury
time equaliser through Ned Kelly who double his own tally to add to
an early opener from Ian Rowson. Ryan Ankers, Chris Lavery and Jim
Barnes grabbed the visitors goals.
Sean Davies, Mark Storrie, Kev Baker, Damian Jones, James Jones
and Danny Prescott enabled Acrefair to cruise to a 6-3 victory at
Llangollen.
Overton fell to a 3-1 reversal at Corwen.
Johnstown Youth were beaten 2-0 by Borras Park Albion who struck
through Chris Belton and Steve Wood
Glyn Ceiriog shared a 1-1 draw at Penley who netted through Ian
Bithell.
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