Queen’s Park lift first silverware of the season

Mike Latham (left) of Queen’s Park receives the President’s Cup

FC Queen’s Park lifted the first trophy of the season with a 1-0 victory over Cefn Albion to land the Welsh National League President’s Cup.

The annual clash between the Premier Division champions and the Premier Cup winners saw Mike Latham’s 70th minute penalty settle the contest.

League champions and match hosts Park took on an Albion outfit which also added the FAW Trophy to their Premier Cup success last term.

Both teams have made rapid progress in recent seasons having been previous champions of the North East Wales League and WNL Division One.

Wrexham side Park started brilliantly, Latham with an audacious chip from 30 yards that crashed against the crossbar. The rebound was then scrambled clear.

As the half grew, Park became frustrated that they hadn’t been able to break the deadlock and this allowed Cefn to gain a foothold in the game.

The second half started in a similar fashion with Park pushing high to stop Cefn playing their normal free -flowing football from the back. The champions’ defence was rock solid all game.

Park had a big chance when in a two-on-one situation and a great delivery left Aled Powell with the goal gaping in front of him, but a wicked bobble as he struck the ball saw it bounce just wide.

Andrew Elms then rattled the post for the hosts.

The key moment happened in the 70th minute as Latham found himself running towards goal and appeared to be clipped by a Cefn defender.

A penalty was awarded and man of the match Latham converted.

Late pressure from a lively Cefn brought no reward and the Wrexham lads held on for the win in a game watched by a crowd of 283.