Holywell Town 3-2 Llanrug United.

Mawddach Cup Final
Holywell Town 3-2 Llanrug United.

Town travelled to Bangor FC for the final of the Mawddach Cup Final looking to do the treble to end a marvellous season, but first, we had to get past Llanrug United who had already beaten us in the Cookson Cup Final a few weeks earlier.

The first chance of the half fell to Holywell Town, Steve Thomas pickng out Tom McElmeel, but hs shot was saved by Dylan Roberts in the Llanrug goal. Next it was Llanrug’s chance, as David Noel Williams had a shot which was saved by Town’s Mike Platt. Steve Thomas then sent over a great free kick which found Matty Harvey but the referee thought Harvey had fouled the keeper in the process.

Llanrug won a corner and the ball fell to Dylan Owen, but his shot flew high and wide, then action at the other end as Sam Jones took a free kick straight into the danger area, and the keeper seemed to have it under control but dropped it at the far post and the ball was cleared to safety. Then there was heartache for Town as Llanrug took the lead through Jonathon Peris Jones, who’s shot from the left beat Mike Platt to give Llanrug the lead. Town looked to get back into the game, and Steve Thomas beat Dylan Owen to cross the ball into the penalty area, where the ball seemed to bounce past Darren Phillips and hit the unaware Sam Jones’ knee and went out for a goal kick.

The referee blew for half time shortly afterwards and Town knew they had it all to do in the second half to keep their dreams of the treble alive!

The second half got underway, and after a minute, the ball fell to Steve Thomas and not realising he had more time to control the ball, his shot flew over Dylan Roberts’ crossbar. A few minutes later, Paul Williams crossed the ball to Thomas but his effort went inches wide. Llanrug’s Kevin Lloyd then put in a great cross, but Jonathon Peris Jones’ shot was deflected out for a corner which came to nothing. A few minutes later, Sam Jones saw his effort deflected out before Town grabbed a deserved equaliser. Steve Thomas won a free kick a few yards outside the penalty area, and Sam Jones took the kick and his cross into the box met the head of Matty Harvey, and the ball flew to give the keeper no chance and Town were back in it.

Llanrug’s Kevin Lloyd then broke well down the left and his cross was met by Carl Griffith but his shot went wide of Platt’s post. Stuart Hayes then done well down the right and passed the ball to Sam Jones who skipped past a couple of challenges but shot wide. Carl Griffths was doing well for Llanrug by now and broke clear again before crossing towards Kevin Lloyd, but Jack D’arcy got his challenge in before him and cleared the ball to safety. Phil Lloyds then shot into the side netting before Phil Lloyd put in a great cross towards Stuart Hayes but he lost his balance and fell over before being able to get a touch to the ball.

Both teams looked for a last gasp winner, and as the game went into the final 5 minutes, Hayes done well again down the right, and his great cross was met by Sam Jones and his shot was well saved by Roberts in Llanrug’s goal before Kevin Lloyd had a shot well saved by Mike Platt who tipped the ball over for a corner. Town then brought on Luke Tyson for Stuart Hayes before Llanrug went close again, but Carl Griffiths headed wide before Graeme Williams had a turn and shot effort saved before the last chance of the 90 fell to Matty Harvey but his header flew wide.

After a quick teamtalk on the pitch, the 1st period of extra time begun and a couple of minutes in, Phil Lloyd broke clear from the halfway line, he skipped past the challenge of the centre back and raced forward into the penalty area. He unleashed a fierce shot which flew past Roberts but hit the crossbar and dropped down over the line before coming back out onto the field of play. The linesman indicated straight away it was a goal and after a couple of seconds of uncertainty, once the referee indicated it was a goal, the players ran off to celebrate Lloyd’s goal.

With the Wellmen’s supporters still celebrating and in full voice, Llanrug won a free kick close to the corner flag, and the ball was played into the penalty area and despite getting a touch to it, the ball fell kindly to Llanrug’s sub Gethin Phillips who fired home through a crowded box. The remainder of the half was a close tight affair with no further chances of note falling to either team.
Both teams knew they had to score to prevent the game going into the dreaded penalties, and a good Steve Thomas cross found the head of Matty Harvey but his header flew wide. Llanrug then broke clear through Carl Griffiths and he crossed the ball looking for Kevin Lloyd, but Dafydd Grffith was on hand to clear the ball. The game was entering the final 10 minutes, and both teams knew they had to score to stop the game being decided on penalties.

Fortunately for Town, there was a winning goal, and it was Luke Tyson who’s name will be talked about for years in Town. Steve Thomas broke well down the left again, and he skipped passed the challenge of the Llanrug right back before drilling a low hard cross into the penalty area, and Luke Tyson managed to get a touch on it and the ball, which seemed to take an eternity, rolled forward and went into the net via the post to put the Wellmen back in the lead, which was no more than the Wellmen deserved.

As the game entered the final 5 minutes, Llanrug had an effort fly high over Mike Platt’s goal, before Phil Lloyd broke clear and with the keeper to beat, his effort was gathered well by Dylan Roberts. Sam Jones had a shot saved before the ref blew for full time and the Wellmen were Mawddach Cup Champions, which ended a great season for the Wellmen who do the treble!! The players receive the trophy infront of a large number of their supporters who have made the journey and the players celebrated long into the night. Well done all!!!