Holywell Town 2-1 Buckley Town

Holywell Town 2-1 Buckley Town
Attendance: 306

The Wellmen welcomed the Stags to Halkyn Road in the first round of the Word Cup. The first chance of the match fell to Buckley and a long ball over the top for Lee Davey to chase but his first touch was poor and the chance had gone, before Tony Roebuck had Town’s first shot which went wide of Ben Jones’ goal.

A free kick for the visitors near the halfway line saw the ball float into the Holywell Town penalty area but Mike Platt was out to gather the high ball before a dangerous Tony Roebuck cross was only inches away from touching the boot of the oncoming Steve Thomas. Buckley’s best chance of the half fell on 20 minutes when Lee Reynolds had a shot which hit Mike Platt on the chest but the loose ball was safely gathered by Platt.

Ross Ankers, who was having another good game down the left passed the ball to Steve Lewis who in turn lay the ball off to Graeme Williams but his shot was weak and gathered by Ben Jones. The Wellmen then won a free kick after Tony Roebuck was fouled but Josh Roberts’ free kick failed to trouble the keeper. Buckley Town then won a free kick just outside the box after Dafydd Griffith fouled Adam Eden, but Kyle Reid’s free kick hit Graeme Williams and was cleared to safety.

Stuart Hayes then went on a run and beats Ben Nash his marker and his low cross is blocked and heading goalwards but is blocked on the line by Jack Jones and cleared, before Buckley’s Jack Leamy fired a free kick high and wide after being fouled by Steve Lewis. On the stroke of half time, Holywell’s best chance of the half fell to Ryan Davies, as his shot after a corner, from a tight angle flew across goal and inches wide of the far post.

The second half begun and started badly for the Wellmen as Buckley took the lead, Lee Reynolds firing home from the edge of the box. The goal shook the Wellmen and they went out looking for the equaliser. Steve Thomas was having a great game and his dangerous run saw him cross the ball but it was a little too hard for the onrushing Stuart Hayes. The Wellmen equalised shortly afterwards when a poor ball out of the Penalty area saw the ball land at Steve Lewis’ feet, and his run saw him beat a couple of markers before rounding the keeper and saw him fire the ball home to the delight of the home supporters. The goal lifted the Wellmen and Josh Roberts was only inches wide of putting the Wellmen into the lead. Steve Lewis then shot wide before Buckley saw a shot saved by Mike Platt after a defelction took the zip out of the shot.

The Wellmen didn’t have long to wait for their second goal. Ryan Davies was fouled in the area and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Up stepped Tom McElmeel to take the penalty and fired the ball home to give the Wellmen a deserved lead. With a quarter of an hour to go, Lewis went on another run at the defence and he passed the ball to Tony Roebuck who’s cross saw the ball fall to Graeme Williams but his flick on went past the post. Steve Thomas then had a free kick on the left hand side and he crossed the ball into the box but Ben Jones punched the ball clear, but only as far as McElmeel and he headed the ball goalwards, but Jones was able to tip the ball over for another corner

Thomas then got Lewis in again and his lay off to Graeme Williams saw him take the shot but the ball deflected past the post for a corner, before Dafydd Griffith had an effort go over the bar from a Steve Thomas cross. Danny Drasduskas then got Lewis in again, but his shot on the turn was saved by Jones before the last chance of the match fell to Buckley Town as a cross by sub Eddie Jebb was cleared by Tom McElmeel. The Referee blew for full time and it is Holywell’s name still in the hat for the 2nd round after the 2-1 win. It was a good performance by the Wellmen, especially second half and all eyes now wait for the second round draw.