Holywell Town 4-2 Chirk AAA - FAW Trophy Round 4

FAW Trophy Round 4
Holywell Town 4-2 Chirk AAA

Holywell Town faced Chirk AAA at Halkyn Road in the 4th Round of the FAW Trophy, and knew it would be a good test against the Welsh National League Leaders. The game opened brightly with both teams having half chances, the best falling to Steve Thomas who shot over after a good cross by Marc Gunther. A few minutes later, Thomas opened the scoring for the Wellmen. Paul Williams passed the ball across the face of goal, and the Chirk defender cleared the ball but it hit another Chirk Defender and rebounded to Steve Thomas who poked the ball home. This was the perfect start for the Wellmen but a few minutes later, disaster struck and Chirk equalised through Gareth Roberts whose shot beat Danny Stanton in a crowded area.

Town retook the lead on the 20 minute mark, Gunther ran with the ball and beat the Chirk defender, his shot was saved by Gareth Jones in the Chirk goal, but he could only knock the ball across the face of goal and Tony Roebuck was there to side foot the ball home.

Chirk looked to get back in the game and put the Wellmen under a bit of pressure. Joe Roberts put in a good cross but Gareth Roberts was only able to head the ball wide before Roberts had a shot cleared off the line by Tom Povey after good work by Chirk’s Adam Jones.

Graeme Williams for Town then broke clear on the left and his cross was just a little too high for Marc Gunther to head home. Town then added to their lead on 37 minutes after a great move. Town passed the ball with ease around midfield, Roebuck then passed the ball to Steve Thomas who ran with the ball and rode the challenges of a couple of Chirk defenders and crossed the ball inch perfect to Paul Williams who headed the ball into the back of the net.

Chirk had the last chance of the half as Joe Roberts broke clear but Stanton was to out to narrow the angles and Roberts shot wide of the target.

Chirk came out second half and put the pressure on the Wellmen as they looked to get back in the game. They did score on 48 minutes as Joe Roberts fired home after Town failed to clear the ball in a crowded area. Chirk had a few efforts prior to the goal with shots from Gareth Roberts and Chris Bennion but were unable to convert.

This goal spurred both teams on and on 51 minutes, Danny Sullivan headed over after a great cross in by Roebuck. Town however added to their tally on 55 minutes. Tony Roebuck released Marc Gunther and his powerful shot beat Gareth Jones and Town had restored their two goal cushion. Town looked to add to the tally and Sullivan shot over on 63 minutes before Steve Thomas was put through but he shot wide of the target.

With time running out for Chirk, they threw everything at Town and Chris Bennion was put through and only a great tackled clearance by Barry Calder prevented him from running into the box with only Stanton to beat. Steve Thomas then crossed for Gunther who shot wide before Chirk Substitute Arron Blackwell had a shot saved well by Stanton.
With a few minutes remaining on the clock, John Haseldin headed forward a Steve Thomas free kick and his header found Barry Calder at the far post but his effort went over the bar. IN teh dying minutes, Matty Holmes was through on goal but Danny Stanton saved well, pushing the ball past the post for a corner.

The referee blew for full time and Town were glad to still being in the FAW Trophy competition and are one step nearer from reclaiming the Trophy they won in 2010/11.