NEWFA Challenge Cup: holders Holywell crash out to first-time finalists Flint Mountain
NEWFA CHALLENGE CUP SEMI FINAL
Flint Mountain 2 (Sconce 26, Spencer 56)
Holywell Town 0
Flint Mountain of Tier 3 have reached their first NEWFA Challenge Cup Final after inflicting a two-goal defeat on holders and Cymru North title contenders Holywell at Airbus tonight.
Goals from Jack Sconce and Calyn Spencer secured the win for Aden Shannon’s side, who are favourites to lift the Ardal North West championship and join the Wellmen in Tier 2 next season.
With a key home game against Llanidloes Town coming up on Wednesday, from which Johnny Haseldin’s side needs a point to be crowned Cymru North champions, Holywell made 10 changes this evening from the team which won 3-0 at Porthmadog on Friday.
Numerous key players were rested with what lies 48 hours ahead in mind, but this was still a memorable success for the men from the Essity.
Wellmen keeper Tyler French experienced a busy start, keeping out two early efforts before being forced into a great stop to deny Spencer.
On 20 minutes French excelled again to thwart a Joe Holt effort.
Mark Winsdale headed over for the visitors before Mountain made the breakthrough on 26 minutes, Sconce firing past French from the edge of the box.
Holywell responded positively with Beau Cornish, the only player on call tonight who started against Porthmadog, foiled by a superb tip over from Jamie King before 17-year-old prospect Luka Graham rattled the crossbar.
King did well again to keep out a Morgan Murray attempt before half time.
Sam Ashworth was the latest to test King early in the second half before Flint went two-up on 56 minutes, Spencer lashing home.
Spencer almost made it three only to bring the best out of French close to the hour.
Town rallied, Cornish and Jack Pennington both seeing efforts cleared off the line. Cornish found the net on 86 but was ruled offside.
That was the last chance for the holders who will not be repeating last season’s success.
In the final, Mountain will face Gresford Athletic, Mold Alex or Rhostyllen.
Flint Mountain
Jamie King
Taylor Edwards
Tom Ruffer
Jack Sconce
Aaron Hassall
Mike Hayes
Calyn Spencer
Joe Holt (c)
Ryan Kershaw
Lloyd Ellams
Corey Smart (Ben Lawrence 69)
Holywell Town
Tyler French
Jack Baines-Hughes (David Forbes 78)
Sam Kersh
Myles Hart
Luka Graham
Jack Pennington (Ryan Edwards 79)
Beau Cornish
Ilan Ap Gareth Jones
Mark Winslade
Sam Ainsworth (Brady McGilloway 60)
Morgan Murray