Welsh Cup classics No 11: Caernarfon Town v Holyhead Hotspur (2003-04)

Caernarfon Town 3 (Williams 78, Brandreth 87, Davies 89)
Holyhead Hotspur 2 (C Jones 40, Moore 41)
Welsh Cup round three – November 8, 2003

Quite a journey back in time for this one, and not too many details available, but the story is still well worth recording.

Outsiders Hotspur were 2-0 up with 12 minutes left, but Caernarfon dramatically turned the tables with three late goals.

Adie Jones’s Canaries were sitting nicely in mid-table of the League of Wales, while visiting underdogs Holyhead occupied a mid to lower position in the Cymru Alliance, a level below the Canaries.

The first half saw the Holy Islanders ship plenty of pressure, but they managed not to concede and just before the break they delivered a shock double blow.

In the 40th minute creative midfielder Casey Jones put Hotspur a goal up and in no time the prolific Nigel Moore had added a second for the travellers.

The interval arrived with Town having plenty of cause for concern.

After the turnaround, the Cofis’ wastefulness in front of goal continued and entering the 78th minute they were facing the exit door.

Finally, Leigh Williams managed to close the gap and the closing minutes were all about the yellow and greens.

Substitute defender Tim Brandreth ventured upfield to fire a precious equaliser, then Calvin Davies poached the 89th minute goal that provided a story-book finish.

Also on this day….

Welsh Alliance side Bodedern pushed Connah’s Quay Nomads of the Welsh Premier all the way before the Deesiders eventually ran out 2-1 victors.

Tommy Mutton edged Nomads in front on 19 minutes, but soon after the hosts levelled through a Gareth Wyn Roberts penalty.

It remained 1-1 until the 73rd minute when the prolific Mutton netted the decider.

Rhyl, who would eventually win the cup that season, triumphed 4-1 at Llanfairpwll, but it was a better day for Anglesey in the shape of Glantraeth, who celebrated a 3-0 success at Flint Town United.