Ardal Northern reports: Cup wins for Corwen, Saltney and Rhostyllen, Nantlle Vale go nap

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTHERN LEAGUE CUP REPORTS – SEPTEMBER 11

Corwen 2 (A Roberts 74, Pooler 84)
Chirk AAA 2 (Thomas 24, Edwards 71)
(Corwen won 6-5 on pens)

Report: Gavin Billington

Corwen fought back from two goals down to force a penalty shoot-out which they won to settle an epic League Cup tie.

This was Chirk AAA’s third visit to the War Memorial Park already this season and they had won the previous two, but it was to be third time lucky for the hosts.

The first talking point of the tie came as early as the 36th SECOND as one of the former Corwen players in the Colliers line-up, Matthew Williams, was shown a straight red for a challenge on Callum Cross.

Despite the numerical disadvantage the away side took the lead in the 24th minute as they hit the hosts on the break.

Ex-Corwen player Liam Sklenar crossed to Mathew Thomas, who fired home from the edge of the box.

A minute later home keeper David Walsh saved a shot with his feet.

With four minutes of the half to play, Corwen’s James Davies played a long ball to Owen Cordiner, who saw his shot saved by goalkeeper Josh Newell. The ball went out to Scott Evans, whose effort was blocked.

Half-time: 0-1

Chances occurred at either end after the break before Chirk doubled their advantage in the 71st minute, as they hit their hosts with a quick counter attack, which resulted in Jack Edwards slotting home.

The second goal seemed to spark Corwen into life, as two minutes later they attacked the Chirk goal and the ball fell at the feet of veteran substitute, 42-year-old Andrew Roberts, who rolled back the years by firing into the top-corner.

With six to go Corwen were awarded a free kick. Scott Evans went straight for goal, where, under pressure from Harry Pooler, goalkeeper Newell let the ball go through his hands, meaning the scores were level.

Shootout

Corwen’s Scott Evans scored
Chirk’s Adam Williams equalised
Harry Pooler blasted the ball home for Corwen
Ashton Williams levelled
Oliver Crimp restored Corwen’s lead when he found the bottom corner
Jake Ellison made it 3-3 when he sent David Walsh the wrong way.
Owen Cordiner sent the ball straight down the middle and into the back of the net
Ryan Davies made the shootout score 4-4 using the same method
Kevin Day put away Corwen’s fifth.
Ex-Corwen player Dale Davies made it five-apiece
Andrew Roberts took the first sudden death penalty for Corwen and scored
Chirk’s Harry Jones went for the corner, but Walsh saved, sparking mass celebrations by the Corwen players as they booked a place in the second round.

Rhostyllen 5 Brymbo 3

After the nightmare of a 17-1 Welsh Cup defeat at Bala Town the previous weekend, Brymbo were involved in a much-closer tie at Rhostyllen, but still ended up the losing team.

Will Nevitt, Warren Duckett, Olie Allman and Tom Douglas (2) shared the home goals, Ricky Evans, Mamadie Sheriff and Nathan Conlan replying for the Steelmen.

Saltney Town 2 Blaenau Amateurs 1

The Bordermen made it nine games unbeaten but had to settle for a narrow League Cup triumph over battling Blaenau.

Ben Evans put the hosts ahead on 10 minutes, but Gethin Roberts made it all-square again after 19.

Ryan McCleary scored the winner after 55 minutes with his ninth goal in six matches.

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH EAST

Carno 3 Dolgellau 4

Substitute Owain Williams struck twice – including an 89th minute winner – for Dolgellau.

Joe Ephraim and David Edwards were also on the mark for the visitors, Joshua Matthews (2) and Adam Biggs running Carno close.

Penparcau 2 Rhos Aelwyd 0

Michael Gornall and Andrew Gittins notched the first-half goals which mattered for winners Penparcau.

Penycae 3 Llanfair United 3

All square at Afoneitha Road, where Harry Edwards, Thomas Edwards and Gary Evans supplied the home goals, while Joshua Astley and Ben Jones (2) replied to earn the visitors a point.

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST

Nantlle Vale 5 Rhydymwyn 0

A resounding win for Nantlle Vale with Daniel Evans on target twice.

Jamie Jones, Osian Tudur and Aeron Williams added a goal apiece.

Llanuwchllyn 1 St Asaph City 0

Bottom of the table St Asaph, without a win in seven attempts, battled hard to limit Llanuwchllyn to a single-goal victory.

Joe Williams scored the winner in the 23rd minute, Tom Jones providing the assist.