The game was barely 5 minutes old when the visitors took the lead, Adam Eden picking up the ball and his shot beat Mike Platt’s dive in the Wellmen’s goal. It wasn’t the start Holywell Town wanted and 10 minutes or so later, Druids went close to doubling their lead Jordan Harper shot went over Platt’s cross bar.
Town’s first real effort on goal came in the 19th minute as Ryan Davidson’s shot was saved by Michael Jones in the Druids goal, then a few minutes later Sam Jones cut inside the Druids defender but his shot was easily saved by Jones. Minutes later, Jones was through again but hesitated his shot and Druids Naim Arsan was able to track back to clear the danger.
Town were getting back into the game now and creating chances but were dealt a hammer blow on 31 minutes. Arsan’s throw in was only partially cleared by the Holywell defence, and the ball fell to Corey Roper who controlled before shooting and the ball nestled into the net via the post to double Druids’ lead. Town looked to get back into the game and Graeme Williams burst into the box but over kicked the ball before being able to cross into the danger area, and Matty Harvey made a great run down the left, beating a couple of defenders but his low cross across the penalty area was cleared before Luke Wandless was able to get a touch to the ball. Wandless then had a shot blocked and from a Holywell Town attack, the visitors picked up the ball and broke quickly, Fisnik Hajdari’s pass through the middle released Ashley Ruane and his shot beat the outcoming Mike Platt to give the visitors a 3 goal cushion. Ruane then had a shot go over the crossbar after being put through on goal and in the final bit of action in the first half, Theodorakis Chrisokhou headed over from a free kick from the right.
The Wellmen had a mountain to climb in the second half and knew it would be difficult against the Welsh Premier side but Town came out and started positively. A few minutes into the half, Sam Jones burst clear down the left before cutting into the box, he shot cross face of goal after the keeper had closed down the angle but Jones’ shot went agonisingly wide of Jones’ far post. Ruane shot over a few minutes later before Town made a substitution bringing on Connor Littler in place of Luke Wandless. Mike Platt was forced into action on 56 minutes, saving Fisnik Hajdari’s shot, then Town were back in it courtesy of sub Littler. Sam Jones picked up the ball on the edge of the area, and his powerful shot swerved in the air and keeper Jones was only able to parry the ball, and it fell infront of Littler who prodded the ball past Jones to make it 1-3.
The goal spurred the Wellmen on and they went looking for another. From a free kick, Graeme Williams headed the ball back over towards the far post but was a little too hard for the oncoming Littler before Littler stung the hands of keeper Jones with a shot which Jones took two attempts to gather then Druids struck again to make it 4-1. Keeper Mike Platt first touch let him down and the ball fell kindly to Steve Blenkinsop to run in and took the ball off Platt to roll the ball into the empty net. This was tough on the Wellmen, but a couple of minutes later, the home side won another penalty. Connor Littler’s shot was saved, and as the ball was loose, Chrisokhou held back Sam Jones and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Littler to take the spot kick and his kick beat Jones to make the score 4-2.
Littler, who was proving to be a handful to the defenders, got in a tussle for possession with the centre back, and unfortunately for Town, the ball ran to goalkeeper Jones who was able to gather to safety. Druids went up the other end, and Sub Mike Pritchard saw his effort take a deflection and dipped just past Platt’s post. Pritchard did get on the scoresheet with Druids next attack. Eden ran down the left and cut inside before crossing low into the box and Pritchard was on hand to steer the ball home to make it 5-2 to the visitors.
Town again never gave up and battled to try to get something from the game, and in the final minutes, Littler completed his hat trick with his second penalty of the game. Littler battled through the defence and his shot was cleared by Partridge, but the assistant referee spotted that keeper Mike Jones had caught Littler after he had taken his shot and the referee pointed to the spot. Littler got up and took the kick himself and his penalty, almost identical to his earlier penalty, and beat Jones to make it 5-3. The crowd urged Town on, thinking that they could get more goals, and with minutes remaining, Littler nearly got a 4th, Steve Thomas’ cross from the left found Jones, but his lay off found Littler but his shot went wide.
The referee soon blew for full time in what had been a thrilling cup tie, and Town were disappointed that conceding 3 goals in the first half cost them. There were positives to take from the second half display and it was a great hat trick for Littler. Town look to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they make the journey to Caersws for a Huws Gray Alliance League clash.