Magnificent seven sends Penmaenmawr Phoenix Reserves into league cup semi-final

NWCFA RESERVE DIVISION LEAGUE CUP

Bontnewydd Reserves 1 (Owen)
Penmaenmawr Phoenix Reserves 7 (Daniel Williams 2, 1 pen, Joe Williams 3, Benjamin, Hughes)

Having not played for seven weeks since winning the NWCFA Reserve Division title, Phoenix showed no ring rust as they hit a magnificent seven to move into the League Cup semi-finals.

Pen were facing a young Bontnewydd side who because of the rules could field nine regular first team players and not face any repercussions.

It was a fast start with both sides looking to get the ball down and play football.

Harry Benjamin was causing problems for Bont early on and after a skillful run he was brought down inside the area in the 8th minute.

Up stepped Daniel Williams who fired the resulting penalty into the top corner to put the Phoenix 1-0 up.

Bontnewydd continued to play good football but it was Joe Williams from Penmaenmawr who decided to turn the tie on its head with a first half hat-trick.

Veteran chairman Peter Williams found Joe Williams inside the area with a delightful flick in the 17th minute. Joe Williams made no mistake, firing home with his first attempt on goal,

In the 39th minute it was Daniel Williams this time who picked out Joe Williams inside the box and the striker netted his second.

On 44 minutes, after another fine run, winger Benjamin picked out Joe Williams once again at the back post to tap in his third. Half-time: 4-0.

Bontnewydd made a couple of substitutions at the break and changed their formation to an all-out attack.

The Penmaenmawr defence of Darren Hughes, Scott Hall, Neil Picton and Lewis Roberts stood tall and dealt with the threat.

It was more a case of game management in the second half for Penmaenmawr.

In the 65th minute experienced midfielder Morgan Roberts played a fantastic through ball for Benjamin.

The pacey winger latched onto it and cutting in from the right hand side somehow managed to lob Bont’s keeper from the edge of the area.

Daniel Williams made it 6-0 in the 67th minute with a great finish from 30 yards.

A mix up between Pen’s Mike Williams and Picton in the 78th minute allowed Bont’s Cai Owen to nip in and pull one back.

After six weeks out with a knee injury young Ben Hughes made his return from the bench and finished the cup tie with a fine strike in the 81st minute when he beat his man at the edge of the area and curled the ball into the top corner.

Winning manager Aaron Keating said: “It was a difficult week getting the squad back together and having to make sure we didn’t fall foul of the first team player rule.

“After a long season we find ourselves in a situation of having to leave regular reserve players out of cup games because they have helped the first team throughout the year. We now look forward to a semi-final this week away to Pwllheli.”