In the opening round of the NEWFA Challenge Cup, most games went to plan. In the all Premier Division encounter, Brickfield Rangers thrashed Hawarden Rangers 4-1 with strikes from Liam White(2), Lee Griffiths and John McGrath with Danny Sullivan reducing the arrears.

The Buckley United versus Bala Town game fell victim to the weather.

Corwen secured a comfortable 5-0 victory over Hawkesbury Villa, Calvin Davies and Eilir Edwards bagged two goals apiece with Mark Wilson completing their nap hand.

The best individual performance of the weekend belonged to Liam Bowen who scored all five of the Castell Alun goals as they dumped out Elements Cefn Druids 5-3. Hitting back for the hosts were Gary Tebble, Ashley Ryan and Kenny Dwyer.

Llay Welfare also went nap to send Acrefair crashing out 5-0, on target with two goals apiece were George Koumas and Ian Mathias and Joe Roberts.

At Ponciau Banks Rhos Aelwyd were given a difficult game by Johnstown who were holding them at 2-1 at the break but then the floodgates opened and Rhos won 8-1 in the end. Tony Cann, Darren Wright and Dave McIntyre notched two goals apiece with Ben Jones and Phil Cofffin completing the spree. Grabbing the Johnstown consolation goal was Chris Bray.

The New Saints took a early exit and were floored 2-1 by a jubilant Penyffordd who had Phil Simons and Nathan Lavender with a clever chip from distance cementing the success.

In a shortened Premier Division programme, Chirk AAA’s walloped neighbours FC Cefn 5-1 to go clear at the top by one point. Man of the match Chris Bennion converted a hat-trick with Anthony Jones and Kevin Price completing their tally. Hitting back with the best goal of the match was Ben Roberts.

Venture flopped to a 2-1 defeat at home to a rugged Overton who secured maximum points with the help of Richie Jones and Will Evans and they also had the man of the match in Jason Edwards. Replying for Venture was Nathan Evans.

Brymbo’s task against Gwersyllt Athletic was made slightly easier, as their visitors only showed up with ten men. Making up the Brymbo nap hand were Cian Phillips and Simon Richards with two goals apiece and Aaron Edwards. Karl Davies pegged the score back to 2-1 at one stage.

Borras Park Albion took a tumble, they were beaten 3-1 by Penycae. Their lone response was from an own goal.

In Division One, Communities First were on fire at Holt Nomads and they whitewashed their hosts 4-0 with strikes from Nicky Williams, Josh Williams, Craig Roberts and Alan Roberts.

The Mold Juniors versus Llanuwchllyn clash was wiped out but Glyn Ceiriog were trounced 5-0 at Penley who netted through Ben Wilde, Joe Lunt and a Lee Salisbury treble.

In the RESERVES LEAGUE match of the day, Ruthin Town were beaten 2-1 by Airbus UK who now share the leadership equal on points and goal difference. Jordon Mcarter notched the Ruthin goal.

Borras Park Albion did best of all, they held Rhos Aelwyd to a goal-less draw.

At Gladstone Playing Fields, Nathan Buckley made a fine debut scoring twice for Gresford Athletic in their 3-2 success at Hawarden Rangers, a third from sub Craig Wood proved decisive. Responding for Rangers were Chris Forshaw and James Parry.

At Stansty Park, LEX XI took a 6th minute lead through Mike Love but Andy Marshall levelled with a fine solo goal.

Penycae Reserves showed huge signs of an improvement but even so, they still failed to get amongst the points and were beaten 4-3 by Llangollen Town who were on target through Eric Booth(2), Tom Merrett and Damian Holden. Hitting back were Luke Jones(2) and Dai Martin with a late penalty.

In the RESERVES AND COLTS league, Corwen and FC Cefn share the lead, Corwen secured a 2-1 win at Overton who hit back through Jack Rennie.

FC Cefn thrashed Penley 6-2 and completing their tally were Nick Jones who was amongst the days leading scorers with four goals, Matt Cross and Darren Evans on his debut.

Garden Village shared the honours and the points in a 4-4 draw with New Brighton Villa, on target for the hosts with yet another hat-trick was Dan Parry with Mike Humphreys adding to their tally. Making sure the visitors salvaged a point were Aiden Berry, Robbie Jones, Sam Evans and Sam Roberts.

Johnstown Youth replied through Nicky Bride in their 3-1 reversal against Brymbo who were on target through Aled Powell, Steve Jones and Tom Gobourne

Brickfield Rangers shared six goals and the points at Acrefair Youth whose marksmen were Jamie Eastwood with a power header and ace predator Richie Wilkins who weighed in with a double salvo, the first was a jinking run past several players and the second a 35 yard thunderbolt Replying were Remone Nelson, Matt Bride and Darryl Roberts.