Holywell Town lift the NEWFA Challenge Cup for first time
North East Wales FA Challenge Cup Final 2022-23 – May 20
Holywell Town 3 (Bibby 2, K Edwards)
Gresford Athletic 1 (Deacon)
If ever a team deserved some silverware from this season it was Holywell Town.
Runners-up in the Cymru North to an exceptional Colwyn Bay, despite a 25-match winning run, and defeated by Cymru Premier Penybont in the Welsh Cup quarter-finals.
The last chance of a trophy in 2022-23 for Johnny Haseldin’s side lay in the NEWFA Challenge Cup.
And the Wellmen delivered the goods, fighting back from a goal down to beat fellow Cymru North outfit Gresford Athletic in Saturday’s final at Ruthin Town.
It was the first time Holywell had won this competition and there was an unlikely goal hero at the centre of their success.
Despite being an outstanding midfield force this season, TOM BIBBY had not scored a single first-team goal in 40 appearances.
But what is it they say about buses?
On Saturday, Bibby netted twice in his team’s tremendous victory.
After a lively start, Gresford took the lead with 21 minutes on the clock, Dominic Deacon tapping in at the far post from an Alex Buxton cross.
Holywell pushed hard for the equaliser, James Graham’s header being cleared off the line by Buxton.
The equaliser came on 35 minutes, Jake Cooke laying the ball off to Bibby, whose deflected effort beat keeper Matt Busby.
Stefan Gittins would have restored Gresford’s lead before the break only for a great save from Keighan Jones.
After the break both sides had their chances. Holywell thought they had scored when Brady McGilloway’s free kick found its way into the net, but play was called back for a foul on an Athletic defender.
Then on 73 minutes Town did make it 2-1 – and again the goal was from a not so frequent source.
Dave Forbes crossed to the far stick and there was defender Kai Edwards to finish.
Forbes rattled the bar before the game was sealed in added time, Luke Wiltshire’s centre finding Bibby, who controlled and blasted into the top corner.
NEWFA CHALLENGE CUP LIST OF WINNERS
1969-70 Brymbo SW
1970-71 Brymbo SW
1971-72 Bala Town
1972-73 Gresford Athletic
1973-74 Llangollen
1974-75 Buckley Rovers
1975-76 Rhosddu
1976-77 Llay Welfare
1977-78 Cefn Albion
1978-79 Sunblest United
1979-80 Buckley Town
1980-81 Buckley Town
1981-82 Brymbo SW
1982-83 Brymbo SW
1983-84 Llay R.B.L.
1984-85 Brymbo SW
1985-86 Mold Alex
1986-87 Mold Alex
1987-88 Mold Alex
1988-89 Lex Xl
1989-90 Llay RBL
1990-91 Lex Xl
1991-92 Gresford Athletic
1992-93 Cefn Druids
1993-94 Wrexham AFC
1994-95 Wrexham AFC
1995-96 Brymbo
1996-97 Rhostyllen Villa
1997-98 Wrexham AFC
1998-99 Flexsys Cefn Druids
1999-2000 Oswestry Town
2000-01 Buckley Town
2001-02 Buckley Town
2002-03 Buckley Town
2003-04 Bala Town
2004-05 Buckley Town
2005-06 Buckley Town
2006-07 Bala Town
2007-08 Bala Town
2008-09 Lex Xl
2009-10 Buckley Town
2010-11 Rhos Aelwyd
2011-12 Cefn Druids
2012-13 Buckley Town
2013-14 Cefn Druids
2014-15 Mold Alexandra
2015-16 Cefn Druids
2016-17 Gresford Athletic
2017-18 Ruthin Town
2018-19 Cefn Druids
2019-20 Competition incomplete (Covid-19)
2020-21 Competition cancelled (Covid-19)
2021-22 Ruthin Town
2022-23 Holywell Town
TOTAL WINS
9 – Buckley Town
6 – Brymbo, Cefn Druids
4 – Bala Town, Mold Alexandra
3 – Wrexham, Lex XI, Gresford Athletic
2 – Ruthin Town, Llay RBL
1 – Rhos Aelwyd, Llangollen, Llay Welfare, Buckley Rovers, Rhosddu, Cefn Albion, Sunblest United, Rhostyllen Villa, Oswestry Town, Holywell Town