Reports from Nathaniel MG Cup – wins for Holywell, Prestatyn, Airbus and Gresford

NATHANIEL MG CUP ROUND ONE REPORTS

Llangefni Town 1 (Gari Owen 80)
Prestatyn Town 2 (Ian Kearney 46, Ashley Ruane 68)

497 days later!

Competitive football was back at Cae Bob Parry and coincidentally Saturday’s opponent Prestatyn Town were the last team Llangefni played on 6 March 2020. In the scorching heat, it took some time for both teams to get going.

Steve Sinclair in Cefni’s goal dealt with Jamie Reed’s header and Mason Blackwell-Jones fired over the bar early on.

On 22 minutes, Llangefni had their best chance of the half. Good inter-changing play down the right saw a cross from Steffan Jones find Leon Buckland inside the area. His half-volley forced a fantastic save from Niki-Lee Bulmer.

Prestatyn edged ahead a minute into the second half when a free kick was whipped in from just outside the area for Ian Kearney to head in.

It was 2-0 on 68 minutes. Charlie Mann delivered another free kick and Ashley Ruane rose highest to double the lead.

Llangefni came to life with 20 minutes to go due to a change of formation which posed a more attacking threat.

This paid off on 80 minutes, Gari Owen smashing the ball in from a tight angle following a fine run down the right.

The hosts pushed on in search of an equaliser, Jack Smith’s shot forcing Bulmer into the save of the match and Dylan Summers-Jones effort going agonisingly wide of the post.

It wasn’t to be for Cefni, Prestatyn advancing to the next round.

Holywell Town 2 (Danny Sullivan 69, Danny Andrews 74)
Colwyn Bay 1 (Sam Downey 22)

Holywell fought back from a goal down to knock Colwyn Bay out of the Nathaniel MG Cup at Halkyn Road.

The visitors took the lead midway through the first half through Sam Downey, who headed home a corner.

Despite having chances, the Wellmen went in at the break a goal behind.

The second half started with Town pressing for the equaliser.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men after 65 minutes when Cai Owen was sent off for violent conduct then a few minutes later Holywell were level, Danny Sullivan heading home from a corner.

Barely five minutes later Johnny Haseldin’s men were in front. A great delivery saw Danny Andrews chase, reach the ball before the onrushing keeper and chip home to score against his old club.

Airbus Broughton UK 1 (Steve Tomassen 42)
Guilsfield 1 (Adam Jenkins 88)
Airbus won 6-5 on pens

Penalty shoot out drama at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium where Airbus trailed 2-0 on spot-kicks before eventually prevailing 6-5.

The tie itself finished one-apiece after 90 minutes.

The Wingmakers had the better of the first half, but were unable to make the breakthrough until the 42nd minute.

Joe Palmer’s free-kick found captain Steve Tomassen, who rose highest to make it 1-0.

Guilsfield raised their game after the break, former New Saints goal machine Greg Draper threatening early before Jamie Hine was twice denied by Rhys Williams.

The home keeper seemed to have the answer to everything until in the 88th minute Adam Jenkins fired the visitors level.

In a nervy shoot-out Guilsfield converted their first two penalties and the hosts missed twice.

However, Williams then became the hero saving the Guils next three penalties including Draper’s, whilst Callum Humphries and Oli Lanceley scored to take it to sudden death.

Both sides put away their next three, new signing Gaz Edwards, Finn Savage and Iwan Jones all scoring for the hosts.

At 5-5, Williams pulled off an amazing save, before club legend Ryan Edwards stepped up to put away the winning kick for the Wingmakers.

Llanidloes Town 2 (Ashley Owen 10, Drew Reynolds 75)
Gresford Athletic 3 (Joe Chaplin 28, Matthew Worrall 56, Sam Molyneux 90)

Sam Molyneux’s late decider made it a great day for Eddie Maurice-Jones’ Gresford site.

Llanidloes were fastest out the blocks and took a 10th minute lead through Ashley Owen.

Athletic responded well, Joe Chaplin levelling in the 28th minute from a Simon Smith cross.

Matthew Worrall put the visitors in front in the 56th minute, Chaplin with the assist.

However, Drew Reynolds made it all-square in the 75th minute.

Nonetheless, the Wrexham area side snatched it when Aaron Hassall’s cross set up Molyneux for the decider.