Holywell Town 0-2 Cefn Druids

Holywell Town 0-2 Cefn Druids

The Wellmen faced newly promoted Cefn Druids in the NEWFA Challenge Cup final at The Hollingsworth Group Stadium as the Wellmen looked to finish off the season with a trophy for the cabinet.

The game started well for Druids who seemed to have the better of the play, and Mike Platt was forced to punch clear a good cross to safety by Druids’ Naim Arsan as early as the 3rd minute. Shortly afterwards, Dafydd Griffith was on hand to block a good shot by Mark Winslade before Town’s first effort on goal as Connor Littler won a free kick, and Steve Thomas’ inswinging cross missed everyone and fell inches wide of Louis Mackin’s right post.

Druids looked dangerous and on 12 minutes, Mike Pritchard shot over when in a good position, then Town’s Graeme Williams watched as his free kick on the edge of the area flew over Mackin’s crossbar. Shortly afterwards, another Free kick in a dangerous position saw Williams trick the Druids defence by playing it short to Brady McGilloway who was on the overlap, and his low cross was blocked then cleared.

Druids broke clear from Town’s attack and the ball was switched wide left to Naim Arsan, and his shot took a wicked deflection over Mike Platt to give Druids the lead. A few minutes later, Town’s Ryan Davidson had a shot go inches wide, then Brady McGilloway’s free kick went over the bar after Graeme Williams was brought down after good play by Steve Thomas. Then another Town corner saw Mackin punch clear as Town searched for the equaliser. Druids were still dangerous on the counter attack and Town were nearly punished for this as Matty Holt’s curling effort sailed inches over Platt’s crossbar.
The score remained 1-0 to Druids at the break and the second half got underway and Town pressed looking for the equaliser. Paul D Williams had a shot deflected wide for a corner, and from the resulting corner, the ball was cleared but only as far as Ryan Davidson who’s shot came back out into play off the post. Town were dangerous and taking the game to Druids, and Phil Lloyd was unlucky as a ball over the top fell to him, but the advancing keeper was alert and able to clear the ball away from Lloyd. Still Town pressed and 10 minutes in to the half, Town yet again hit the woodwork, as Connor Littler watched as his turn and shot rattled the crossbar.

A few moments later, Phil Lloyd broke clear down the left and his cross was dropped by goalkeeper Mackin, and the ball fell to Paul D Williams but his fierce shot was blocked on the line. Another Steve Thomas fk found Dafydd Griffith in the area, but his header was easily gathered by the keeper. As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Phil Lloyd had the ball in the back of the net, but linesmen deemed him to be in an offside position and the goal was disallowed,

With a few minutes left on the clock, Druids won a free kick in a dangerous position, and Ryan Kershaw’s free kick was oushed onto the bar by the diving Mike Platt, but unfortunately, the ball rebounded back off the post and hit Platt’s back before falling into the goal to make it 2-0 for the Ancients. There was still time for McGilloway to get a shot in on goal which was blocked, and Ryan Kershaw again went close as his free kick saw Mike Platt tip the ball over before the referee blew his whistle to end the game.
The scoreline didn’t truly reflect the game and the club can take a lot of heart from Town’s second half performance.