In-depth Welsh Cup quarter-final preview: Penybont v Holywell Town – Sunday, February 5 (12.45 pm)
JD WELSH CUP QUARTER-FINAL PREVIEW
Penybont v Holywell Town
Sunday 12.45 pm – LIVE ON S4C
Holywell have a special relationship with the Welsh Cup.
Back in 2013-14, the Wellmen became the first third-tier team ever to reach the semi-finals of Wales’ premier knockout competition.
At the time competing in the former Welsh Alliance League Division One, Town knocked out Welsh Premier Newtown, plus Penrhyncoch, Penycae and Porthmadog of the Cymru Alliance en route to the last four, where they eventually went out to top flight Aberystwyth Town 3-1, having taken the lead.
It was a highly memorable episode in North Wales football which is unlikely to be repeated.
The Holywell manager in 2013-14 was Johnny Haseldin and the same man has led the side to the 2022-23 quarters, with the Wellmen now a tier 2 Cymru North outfit.
Hosting the Flintshire hopefuls this Sunday will be Penybont, a Cymru Premier side who reached their first Welsh Cup Final last season, losing 3-2 to The New Saints.
The South Wales club, managed by the Cymru Premier’s second-highest all-time goalscorer Rhys Griffiths, are a strong proposition, having finished third in phase one of their league this season.
However, Holywell are in stunning form. After failing to win in their first three league games of the current campaign, they have gone unbeaten since, winning 15 on the bounce and sitting second in the table.
In 27 games across all competitions, Haseldin’s heroes have won 22, drawn 2 and lost 3.
Their 2022-23 Welsh Cup run to date reads:
Round two: Llanuwchllyn (a) 5-0
Round three: Hakin United (a) 5-1
Round four: Guilsfield (a) 2-1
HOLYWELL TOWN – KEY PLAYERS
When you ask who are the danger men in the Holywell side it is tantamount to the proverbial question – how long is a piece of string? The depth of quality is a credit to the club and their management.
In Keighan Jones, the Wellmen possess a phenomenal shot-stopper and one of the ‘meanest’ keepers in the league with only 17 goals conceded in 18 matches.
At the back there are star brothers Kai Edwards and Zebb Edwards, both with Welsh Premier experience.
Kai is a former Wrexham first team player who has won a number of top prizes in Welsh football with the likes of The New Saints.
Ex-Airbus, Llandudno and Prestatyn Town star Zebb can also operate in central-midfield and grab goals.
Right wing-back Jake Cooke has come through the ranks and developed into one of the team’s most dynamic performers. His speed and delivery is a major asset to the side.
Danny Sullivan has been one of the stand-out players in the Cymru North this season. As well as his attributes as a centre half, the former Flint Town United, Caernarfon Town and Rhyl man has been very much in the goals, bagging 10 in 17 league outings.
Technically-gifted Ilan Ap Gareth can shine at number 10 or in centre-mid and often delivers vital goals, while all-round midfielder Tom Bibby has been a superb addition to the squad this season.
Experienced striker Dave Forbes has been exceptional in 2022-23, pocketing 20 goals in all competitions.
Outstanding captain, one-time Colwyn Bay star Danny Andrews, has netted 11 times and is always a player defences should be wary of.
Versatile Myles Hart can do a great job at centre-back or midfield. He has always played at a good level for the likes of Airbus and Prestatyn Town.
Another top attacking talent is Morgan Murray, a tricky, fast, fit player who represented Prestatyn Town, Llandudno and Conwy Borough before joining the Wellmen.
Several other quality players complete the squad, including: Brady McGilloway, Luke Wiltshire, Jay Norbury, Mark Winslade, Ryan Roberts, Oliver Buckley, Aidan Farren, Michael Platt, Kai Wallis, Elliot Lloyd, Arron Dotse-Pomeyie, Damien Ketley.
One of Holywell Town’s biggest inspirations are their amazing fans. Many players who join the club say the supporters were a major draw in getting them to sign.
MANAGER – JOHNNY HASELDIN
Johnny, 41, spent much of his senior playing career at Holywell Town and is in his 10th season as manager (he resigned at the end of 2017-18 but returned early the following season).
LEAGUE RECORD AS HOLYWELL TOWN MANAGER SEASON-BY-SEASON
(key: season – won – drawn – lost – goals for – goals against)
2012-13: 18-7-3 98-38 – WELSH ALLIANCE DIVISION ONE 3RD
2013/14: 20-5-3 103-23 – WAL DIV 1 2ND
2014/15: 23-2-1 119-19 – WAL DIV 1 1ST
2015/16: 15-7-8 55-34 – CYMRU ALLIANCE LEAGUE 5TH
2016/17: 14-8-8 52-45 – CAL 5TH
2017/18: 14-8-6 75-37 – CAL 5TH
(resigned as manager)
2018/19: 6-4-12 29-44 – CAL 14TH (relegated – returned as manager Sep 28, 2018)
2019/20: 13-3-1 62-8 – WNL PREM 1ST (champions on unweighted points per game method in shortened season due to coronavirus pandemic)
2020/21: Cancelled due to pandemic
2021/22: 15-5-8-58-36 – CYMRU NORTH 4th
2022/23: 15-1-2-39-17 – CN 2ND (up to and including 3-0 win at Llanidloes – Jan 28, 2023. Season still in progress)
Overall league record: Played 255 Won 153 Drawn 50 Lost 52 Goals For 690 Goals Against 301 – WIN PERCENTAGE IN LEAGUE = 60%
CUP RECORD AS HOLYWELL TOWN MANAGER
(Season – won – drawn – lost – goals for – goals against)
2012/13: 12-0-4 38-19
2013/14: 12-0-3 56-23
2014/15: 18-0-2 64-17
2015/16: 7-0-4 27-21
2016/17: 2-0-4 19-10
2017/18: 5-0-4 18-15
2018/19: 0-0-1 2-3
2019/20: 4-0-3 41-12
2020/21: Cancelled
2021-22: 4-0-3 14-15
2022-23: 7-0-2 27-8 (up to and including 2-1 win at Guilsfield in Welsh Cup – Jan 14, 2023)
Overall cup record: Played 101 Won 71 Lost 30 Goals For 306 Goals Against 143 – WIN PERCENTAGE IN CUPS – 70.30%
JOHNNY HASELDIN COMPLETE RECORD AS HOLYWELL MANAGER IN COMPETITIVE GAMES (from 2012-13 up to and including January 28, 2023)
Played 356
Won 224 – 63% WIN PERCENTAGE
Drawn 50
Lost 82
Goals For 996
Goals Against 444
