Glantraeth 0-4 Holywell Town

Cookson Cup Round 2
Glantraeth 0-4 Holywell Town

Holywell Town travelled to Glantraeth looking to book their place in the semi final of the Cookson Cup and be a step nearer regaining the trophy they won last season.

The game started brightly for Town and Sam Jones brought a save out of home keeper Ben Heald in the 3rd minute. A few minutes later, the Referee waived away Town’s claims for a penalty after Ryan Davies had brought down Sam Jones then shortly afterwards, Jones floated a free kick into the box and Heald saved well from Luke Tyson’s header.

Town were involved in a great move and Shaun Pritchard lay the ball off for Jones and he passed it back to Pritchard but his effort was saved before the home side had their first real chance on goal. A great free kick taken by Glantraeth’s Richard Owen saw Michael Platt having to tip the ball over the goal before the home side had a goal disallowed after the referee adjudged a Glantraeth had pushed Town’s Tom McElmeel before the ball crossed the line.

Roebuck had an effort go wide before Graeme Williams had a shot also go wide after a Matty Roberts Free kick was cleared by the home side’s defence and the ball came out to Williams who’s shot was wide of the target.

Glantraeth’s Ryan Davies had a header go over Platt’s crossbar then Luke Tyson thread the ball through for Sam Jones to chase but his cross from the byeline was cleared with Pritchard waiting to pounce. Paul Williams came very close to giving Town a late first half lead but his shot went over the bar and shortly afterwards, the referee drew the half to a close with the game goalless.
Town came out for the second half knowing they would have to break the Glantraeth defence down to grab a victory and with only a couple of minutes played of the second half, Tony Roebuck saw his effort from outside the box fly against the cross bar before being cleared to safety then the home team went close themselves as Sion Kyle broke clear and he passed the ball to Guto Hughes but his shot was saved. Town didn’t have to wait too long to break the deadlock as Shaun Pritchard fed the ball through to Luke Tyson who beat Heald in the Glantraeth goal to give Town a deserved lead. 10 minutes later, Town should have doubled their lead as Sam Jones burst through beating the offside trap but the keeper raced out towards him and narrowed the angle and Jones’ shot hit the side netting.
Shortly before an hour was on the clock, Glantraeth’s Sion Kyle shot wide then the ball went the other end of the field and Town were awarded a Penalty. Shaun Pritchard raced clear into the right hand side of the box and he was challenged by the home side’s Ryan Davies and both fell to the floor. The linesman indicated a penalty and it was awarded by referee Tony Moore who cautioned Davies for the foul. Up stepped Sam Jones to fire the ball home to double Town’s lead and to make it an even more difficult task for the home side.

The goal spurred Town on and Jones again found himself through on goal but this time, keeper Heald made a great save to deny Jones grabbing his second of the afternoon. Luke Tyson then broke the offside trap and raced on goal but again, Heald produced a great save in a one on one position with Tyson. Glantraeth then had a couple of chances as Sub Mark Drescott should have done better in the position he was in other than fire over from a few yards out before Neil Hughes cut inside well on the left to beat the challenge of Matty Roberts before seeing his shot come back out off the post. A few minutes later, Drescott had another effort go wide but despite the pressure that Glantraeth had put Town under over the past few minutes, The Wellmen’s back four held firm to keep the homeside’s efforts at bay.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Town increased their lead and killed the game off. A free kick was passed to Sam Jones who’s run into the box saw him cross the ball low into the centre and Luke Tyson beat his man before connecting with the ball with a cheeky back heel which crept in past Heald, much to the delight of himself and his team mates. As the Glantraeth supporters started to make their exit, Town rounded off the afternoon with a 4th goal through Paul Williams, who picked up the ball from a great run in by Phil Lloyd, and from ouside the box, Williams sent the ball flying into the top corner and even though a desperate dive by Heald in the Glantraeth’s goal, he was unable to force the ball out and the ball flew into the top corner to round off the win for the Wellmen.

It was another great result by the Wellmen and the win see’s it being 19 wins out of 19 games for the Wellmen. Roll on next week’s League encounter against Pwllheli, with the Wellmen looking to make it 20 wins