Flashback – 5 years ago: Holywell hit seven in NEWFA Challenge Cup

Holywell Town 7 (G Williams 12 & 55, Maldon 25 pen, Littler 43 & 66, McGilloway 80, Roebuck 82)
Ruthin Town 0
NEWFA Challenge Cup – January 6, 2016

In this week five years ago Holywell Town progressed into the next round of the NEWFA Challenge Cup by hitting a magnificent seven past Ruthin at a cold Halkyn Road ground.

A great crowd of 145 turned up despite the lateness of the game being arranged and those there witnessed a great performance by the Wellmen.

Graeme Williams opened the scoring on 12 minutes before Josh Maldon netted his first goal for the club with a well-taken penalty.

On the stroke of half time, Connor Littler increased Town’s lead to give the Wellmen a three-goal cushion at the break.

The visitors had a mountain to climb in the second half and any chance they may have had to get back into the game was dashed on 55 minutes when Williams notched his second goal of the evening.

On 66 minutes, Littler also made it a personal double before Brady McGilloway and Tony Roebuck completed the scoring.

Ruthin, who were at this time a level below Holywell in the Welsh National League Premier Division, found themselves outclassed on this evening. It had been a different story in a Welsh Cup clash between the teams earlier in the season, the Wellmen winning just 1-0 on that occasion.

Holywell made it all the way to the 2015-16 NEWFA Challenge Cup final, but lost 2-0 against Cefn Druids.

The following 2016-17 season, Ruthin were back in the Cymru Alliance and got revenge by beating Holywell 2-1 at home in the league. In the reverse fixture at Halkyn Road, Holywell triumphed 4-3.

Ruthin and Holywell met again in the NEWFA Challenge Cup final of 2017-18. This time Ruthin were the winners by a 2-1 scoreline.

Many thanks to Steve Roberts of Holywell for report and photo