Match of the Day 1: FAW Trophy – Rhyl All Stars progress on penalties after draw at Holywell

FAW TROPHY ROUND TWO

Holywell United 2 (Marley 33, Riley-Jones 38)
Rhyl All Stars 2 (Lloyd 57, Bradshaw pen 63)
(Rhyl All Stars won 4-3 on penalties)

Robert Cunnah’s Rhyl All Stars fought back from 2-0 down to win on penalties at the Mostyn Community Centre ground and reach the FAW Amateur Trophy third round.

The game kicked off in very wet conditions, Holywell starting well and bossing the majority of early possession.

The greens did not quite look themselves, very slow off the mark and struggling to get a hold on the game.

Holywell were making ground in the final third, but couldn’t quite undo the Rhyl defence.

The visitors had a few opportunities on the counter with balls in behind to Sam Lloyd and Kyle Lally.

Around the 30-minute mark, Elliot Maitland-Price struck a long range effort just over the bar.

In the 33rd minute, Holywell won a free kick around 25 yards out. A shot was struck hard and low, flicking off a home player in the area, and ending up in the back of the net. The goal was credited to Lewis Marley.

Holywell used the momentum from their goal to punish their opponents again only 5 minutes later. After a good passage of play, Jac Riley-Jones made it 2-0.

At half time, the All Stars brought Thomas Inns off and put Callum White on.

After a poor first half from the greens, they knew they had to up their game substantially in order to get back into the tie.

And they did just that, going straight on the attack and applying pressure to the Holywell back-line.

In the 57th minute, a near post corner by Lewis Evans was headed home by Sam Lloyd.

All the momentum was now with the All Stars, and in the 63rd minute, Lloyd was taken down inside the area, resulting in a penalty being given. Luke Bradshaw stepped up and calmly slotted the ball home.

Maitland-Price continued to make life difficult for Holywell in the final third, with the hosts unable to win the ball.

Holywell had a very good chance to regain the lead, but were denied by a great save from goalkeeper Liam Curzon.

The Rhyl side had some chances late on, but the home keeper was in good form.

Changes were made by the visitors, Ebin George, Paul Ham and Carl Howard coming on for Lloyd, Michael Williams and Lee Pearce.

The game went to penalties and Bradshaw, Maitland-Price, Joshua Lally and Ham scored for All Stars.

Curzon saved two Holywell kicks to ensure his team went through.

Winning manager Cunnah said: “Huge credit to the lads today, and a great feeling to be going into the next round.

“We started the game very poorly, the first half was well off the pace, and the scoreline reflected it.

“I gave the lads a firm talking to at half time, and their reaction in the second half was incredible. That second half performance was just brilliant, they did everything I asked.

“Overall we deserved to go through, and I couldn’t be happier.”

RHYL ALL STARS

Liam Curzon
Michael Williams
Lee Pearce
Joshua Lally
Lewis Evans
Kyle Lally
Sam Lloyd
Logan West
Luke Bradshaw
Elliot Maitland-Price
Tom Inns
SUBS USED
Ebin George
Callum White
Paul Ham
Carl Howard