Llanrug United celebrated the greatest day in their history this week seven years ago as they lifted the FAW Trophy after a thrilling final at Rhyl’s Belle Vue Stadium.
Kevin Lloyd was the chief United hero with two goals, but it was a tremendous all-round team effort from Aled Owen’s warriors.
Lloyd, who has played for Bangor City, Caernarfon Town and Llangefni Town in the Welsh Premier, also netted twice in the 2-0 Trophy semi-final victory against Penrhyndeudraeth and showed his class again in the final.
The first half was a very tight affair which ended goalless with defences on top.
Llanrug created some early half-chances, Dylan Owen seeing a shot deflected wide before Lloyd failed to connect with a Darren Phillips cross.
David Noel Williams’s free kick flew straight at keeper Ryan Roberts, then Terry Jones headed wide from a corner.
Chirk midfielder Andy Morris unfortunately had to leave the field on a stretcher after 26 minutes.
The Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) champions failed to trouble the ‘Rug goal in the first half, Nicky Williams’ shot which was comfortably held by keeper Dylan Roberts their only on-target effort.
Llanrug began the second half the better, and on 52 minutes came the best chance so far when David Noel Williams lofted a great cross with the outside of his right boot into Lloyd, who blasted over from close range.
However, in the 56th minute the deadlock was broken when Dan Pyrs’ cross from the right clipped the bar and David Noel Williams was on hand to head home.
On the hour United went two up when Carl Griffiths made a superb run into the box down the left and squared to Lloyd, who netted with a fantastic finish.
Chirk pulled one back two minutes later when defender and captain Phil Pearce headed in a Williams corner.
The Colliers now finally began to show why they had scored 15 goals in their previous two Trophy ties as they pushed hard for the equaliser.
Llanrug responded when Roberts saved well from Griffiths, then at the other end substitute Shaun Morris drilled inches wide following a fine pass from Jason Williams.
Chirk brought on Khos Jones and Ben Jones in a bid to liven up their attack, but the Welsh Alliance League side then found their second wind.
Roberts was forced into a double save to deny Pyrs and Jon Peris Jones before ‘Rug made it 3-1 in the 80th minute.
Griffiths delivered from the right and Lloyd’s bullet header proved too powerful for Roberts to keep out.
Chirk gave themselves late hope in the second of four added minutes when Jamie Foulkes headed in after Jamie Jones’ attempt came back off the bar, but Llanrug held on to lift the Trophy for the first time.
LLANRUG UNITED
Dylan Roberts (GK), Darren Phillips (Andrew Garlick 85), Matthew Phillips, Terry Jones, Eifion Williams ©, Dylan Owen, Rhys Roberts (Jonathan Peris Jones 77), David Noel Williams, Marvin Pritchard (Dan Pyrs 34), Kevin Lloyd, Carl Griffiths
Unused substitutes: Neil Perkins (GK), Thomas Williams
CHIRK AAA
Ryan Roberts (GK), Jamie Foulkes, Jamie Jones, Jason Williams, Phil Pearce ©, Andy Morris (Shaun Morris 27), Nicky Williams, Chris Bennion, Aaron Blackwell (Ben Jones 72), Nic Jones (Khos Jones 72), Adam Jones
Unused substitutes: Sean Jones, Anthony Jones
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