Late, late goal from Atkinson wins Reserve Cup for Mynydd Isa Spartans

NORTH EAST WALES FOOTBALL LEAGUE – THE 2021-22 RESERVE CUP FINAL

Hawarden Rangers Reserves 0
Mynydd Isa Spartans Reserves 1 (Mark Atkinson 120+2)

Spartans made up for missing out on the league title to Hawarden by beating the champions in Sunday’s Reserve Cup Final at Flint.

Isa had only lost a single game in the league all season – a 2-0 reverse at title-winners Hawarden, who they had earlier drawn at home with, so revenge was on the minds of the Argoed side entering the cup final.

There was no separating the sides in normal or extra time until in the 122nd minute of play Mark Atkinson grabbed the all-important goal for Spartans with virtually the last kick of the game.

Man of the Match Atkinson was involved in everything all afternoon and showed his quality time and time again.

Spartans manager Chris Evans said: “I’m so proud of the lads as from minute one pre-season they gave us everything they had right until the end.

“One loss all season and still not winning the league is gutting, so these boys deserve this cup.”

A highly competitive final saw Adam Woosey sent off for Spartans after receiving a second yellow card on 48 minutes.

The numbers were evened up when Hawarden’s Stephen Wilson was shown a red on the hour.

Bench substitute Thomas Williams became the second Rangers player to receive his marching orders in stoppage time at the end of the 120.

Mynydd Isa Spartans Reserves

George Phillips, Rhys Ellis, Iwan Mitchell, Mark Atkinson, Michael Fleetwood, Harvey Hammersley, Liam Prytherch (Harri Jones 72), Harri Mitchell, Adam Woosey, Reece Jones (Jamie Connah 68), Jay Wiles (Kobie Betts 55).

Hawarden Rangers Reserves

Aidan Johnson, Owen Ashton, Nathan Pierce (Liam Hett 45), Jordan Lomas, Stephen Wilson, Louis Anglesea, Damon Bradley (Aaron North 68), Daniel Jones (Joshua Edwards 74), Eric Thomas, Alun Wilson, Luis Rowland,