TNS 7-1 Holywell Town

TNS 7-1 Holywell Town

After defeating Buckley Town in the previous round of the Word Cup, Town’s prize was a trip to Park Hall to face Word Cup holders and Welsh Premier League Champions TNS.

The match started and the first chance fell to Steve Evans who’s header flew over Mike Platt’s cross bar before Town’s first attack saw a great move involving Tom McElmeel and Graeme Williams feed the ball through to Ryan Davidson and his cross found the head of Ross Ankers but the ball flew inches wide of Chris Mullock’s post. Then Evans headed the ball back into the danger area from a deep corner and Alex Darlington fired over the bar, before a long ball over the top by James Jones saw the ball fall again to Darlington but he shot wide of Mike Platt’s post.

A few minutes later however, Ankers put the Wellmen ahead. A ball up from midfield towards the TNS goal saw the defender slip to allow Graeme Williams to steal the ball, he beat a challenge before crossing into the box where Ross Ankers was there to fire the ball home past Mullock to give the Wellmen the lead, much to the delight of the large contiginent of Wellmen supporters who had made the journey.

The lead lasted until the 25th minute before TNS equalised thorugh Greg Draper, after a good cross in by ex Wrexham player Adrian Cieslewicz. A great ball over the top for Phil Lloyd to chase saw the Striker’s pace beat his marker and as he ran in on goal, the ball seemed to run away from Lloyd and the advancing Mullock was able to save the ball with his legs. Greg Draper then had a shot saved by Platt before Alex Darlington put the home side ahead, firing home after Dafydd Griffith’s clearance fell kindly to him. Disaster struck for the Wellmen on the stroke of half time as Draper’s shot beat Platt t give his side a 3-1 lead at the break.

The second half begun with TNS having the majority of the play. A couple of half chances fell to the home side but Town’s first attack of the half wasn’t until nearly an hour on the clock, as a great run by Davidson saw him cross the ball into the danger area towards Phil Lloyd but Mullock was down well to gather the cross, before McElmeel was only inches wide heading past the post from a Steve Thomas free kick. A few minutes later, the game was over as TNS scored their 4th goal of the game, with possibly the goal of the night as Draper completed his hat trick, flicking the ball up then volleying home to give Platt no chance. A couple of minutes later it was 5-1, as Draper’s shot took a deflection to wrong foot Mike Platt and the ball ended up in the bottom corner.

Entering the last 20 minutes, Phil Lloyd had a shot saved before TNS increased their lead to make it 6-1 through Greg Draper, as his shot was partially saved by Platt’s legs, but the ball had enough power to creep over the line. With 5 minutes remaining, a slip by Peter Hoy saw Ryan Edwards through on goal, but with only Mike Platt to beat, Edwards fired past the post to let the Wellmen off. Chris Marriott then saw his free kick hit Mike Platt’s post before Tony Roebuck had a shot saved by Mullock. TNS completed the scoring deep into injury time as sub Scott Quigley fired home to give the Welsh Premier Champions their ticket into the next round.

It was a spirited performance by the Wellmen who were far from disgraced and all eyes now focus on Saturday’s Welsh Cup tie against Ruthin Town at Ruthin. Well done lads........