NEWFA Veterans Cup: Holders Hawarden made to work hard in victory over Llay

NORTH EAST WALES FOOTBALL LEAGUE VETERANS CUP

Hawarden Rangers Vets 3 Llay Welfare Vets 2

Cup winners for the past two seasons, Hawarden maintained their long unbeaten record with a hard-fought victory over Llay.

All the goals came in the second half, with Rangers’ Matthew Phillips breaking the deadlock on the hour before Steve Evans levelled after 75.

Alan Dawson for Hawarden and the Welly’s Gareth Williams exchanged goals to set up a thrilling finish.

And it was Rangers record marksman Dawson who bagged the winner with 85 gone.

Connah’s Quay Nomads Vets 4 Denbigh Wanderers 0

Nomads progressed to the semi-finals with a comfortable win over the Wanderers.

Darren Jones and Lee Cousins struck in the first half to give the Deesiders a two-goal interval lead.

And after the break, team leading marksman Leon Bowen (62 minutes) and Steven Blair (72) made sure of a home victory.

NORTH EAST WALES VETERANS LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION

Penmaenmawr Phoenix Vets 5 Mochdre Vets 3

An eight-goal thriller remained in the balance for a long time.

It was 2-2 at half time, Richard Roberts netting on three and Stephen Roberts after 24 for Pen, while a Luke O’Mahoney double after 14 and 17 minutes ensured Mochdre were level at half time.

Bleddyn Jones nudged Phoenix back in front on 51 and when Peter Williams made it 4-2 to the hosts after 87 it looked all over.

However, five minutes into added time, O’Mahoney completed his hat-trick to cut the deficit to one goal with time still remaining.

Pen were relieved when David Williams made it 5-3 in the 97th minute – and that ended the scoring.