Town win The Battle of Chirk in North East Wales Challenge Cup epic

Nicky Williams scores a stunning goal for Chirk Town. Picture: BRIAN PRYDDEN

NORTH EAST WALES FA CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER-FINAL

CHIRK AAA 1 (Middlehurst 37)
CHIRK TOWN 2 (Lloyd 10, N Williams 26)

The underdogs came out on top as the warriors of Chirk clashed for the first time in a highly anticipated North East Wales Challenge Cup quarter-final.

Chirk AAA, high flyers in the tier 3 Ardal North East welcomed Chirk Town, leaders of the T4 North East Wales Premier Division.

Both sides have started the 2021-22 season in great form, so a bumper crowd was in attendance at Holyhead Road.

Football new boys Town, formed as recently as 2019, started brightly and had a goal chalked off for offside as Nicky Williams’ shot rebounded off the post for Aaron Davies to prod home,

However, the Taverners went 1-0 up on 10 minutes through a well-taken Tristan Lloyd free kick that flew into the top corner,

AAA had a couple of half chances as they tried to find a way back into the game but the Tav back 4 of Matthew Cooke, Caleb Davies, Steve Roberts and Jonathan Mitchell-Conlan were up for the battle,

In the 26th minute, a cross from Lloyd was superbly dispatched by Nicky Williams with another overhead kick – that’s four in his last five games. It was also the prolific marksman’s 34th goal of the campaign.

Chirk AAA, founded in 1876, got themselves back into the contest when Louie Middlehurst scored before half time.

Half-time: 1-2

The second half was played in typical derby fashion with some strong challenges from both teams.

AAA were reduced to 10 men on 68 minutes when Adam Williams was shown a second yellow.

Despite this setback, the hosts tried and tried to break down their opponents, but had the door shut by the battling Town rearguard.

The late dismissal of Nicky Williams for a second yellow could not take the gloss off a great day for the Tav.

Town joined FC Queen’s Park and Buckley Town in the semi-finals, with the Mold Alexandra v Ruthin Town quarter still to be played.

TEAMS

Chirk AAA
Zac Bebbington, Adam Williams, Ryan Williams, Jake Ellison, Matty Williams, Ryan Davies, Jake Jones, Ashton Williams, Liam Sklenar, Louie Middlehurst, Jack Edwards.

Chirk Town
Nikki Lee Williams, Jonathan Mitchell-Conlon, Matthew Cooke, Caleb Davies (N/A 34), Steve Roberts, Tristan Lloyd, Tom Freeman, Jordan Dooley (Brian Wood 48), Joseph Doyle-Davies, Nicky Davies, Aaron Davies. Subs also used: Jay James.