Flashback – 5 years ago: Holywell advance to the NEWFA Challenge Cup semi finals

Holywell Town 3 (T Rowlands 12 & 17; P Lloyd 31)
FC Queen’s Park 1 (Roberts 70)
NEWFA Challenge Cup semi-finals – March 22, 2016

Three first half goals set up Holywell for a place in the semi-finals of the NEWFA Challenge Cup.

On this date five years ago, Wrexham side Queen’s Park of the Welsh National League Premier Division, were the visitors to Halkyn Road aiming for a giant-killing over their Cymru Alliance hosts.

The first chance fell to the home side. Town won a free kick just inside the Park half, Steve Thomas took it and the ball fell to Phil Lloyd, who could only head wide of keeper Thomas Belton’s post.

A few minutes later, Belton miss-kicked a back pass which came to Graeme Williams, but his snapshot rolled past the post.

Soon after, however, the Wellmen took the lead. A great through ball from midfield by Williams saw Tom Rowlands collect and fire through the legs of onrushing stopper Belton.

Williams then broke clear and only had the keeper to beat, but Belton produced a great block with his legs.

Queen’s Park’s first real chance fell on 16 minutes, when Jamie Roberts had an effort on goal which Mike Platt had to tip over for a corner.

The hosts doubled their lead a minute or so later, when Rowlands grabbed his second of the tie.

Brady McGilloway went on a run down the left and beat his marker to get to the byline. McGilloway looked up and passed to the racing in Rowlands who made no mistake.

Tony Roebuck then had a powerful shot zip inches wide. Williams was once again in on goal, but got caught in two minds and instead of shooting decided to pass towards the oncoming McGilloway, but the ball ran out of play for a goal kick.

Town grabbed a third with just over half an hour on the clock, Williams laying the ball off for Lloyd to fire home.

Half-time: Holywell Town 3 Queen’s Park 0

The second half started brightly for the Wellmen and after five minutes both Lloyd and Roebuck were denied by Belton.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men shortly afterwards, after it was spotted that Dannee Pickup had elbowed a Town player in an off-the-ball incident.

As the game wore on, despite being a man short the Park got more and more possession and pulled a goal back with 20 minutes remaining.

Andrew Torrence hit a fierce free kick against the crossbar, and despite Platt getting a touch to it, the ball fell to Jamie Roberts who tapped home.

The final 10 minutes were nervy for the Wellmen, but there were no further goals.

Match report and photo: Steve Roberts of Holywell Town – many thanks Steve