Report: Cup glory secured in extra time by Mynydd Isa Reserves

NORTH EAST WALES FOOTBALL LEAGUE THE RESERVE CUP FINAL

Coedpoeth United Reserves 2 (Breeze 61, Massey 77)
Mynydd Isa Reserves 4 (Liptrot 41, Howarth 69, Davies 104 & 108)
(after extra time)

Two extra time goals from substitute Liam Davies secured the win which delivered Mynydd Isa their first piece of silverware this season.

Isa Reserves triumphed 4-2 against Coedpoeth United Reserves in rollercoaster of a NEWFL Reserve Cup final at The Crick, Brymbo.

A large crowd was present for an end to end battle between two committed sides.

Coedpoeth started the better, but Isa created the first chance as Joe Liptrot was released in behind. He advanced into the area but was forced wide by the recovering defender and his left foot effort struck the side netting.

The windy conditions made it tough for both sides, with Isa struggling to get out facing the gusts and Coedpoeth continuing to maintain possession but not finding that final pass to test goalkeeper Tom Roberts.

With half time approaching, staying on level terms was imperative for Isa having put in a lot of hard work against the horrendous conditions.

However, a loose Coedy pass at the back allowed Lewis Knight to nip in and send Liptrot through once again. He managed to manoeuvre the ball past a defender and calmly slot high into the roof of the net to make it 1-0 to Mynydd at rhe break.

Into the second half, Coedpoeth continued to play on the front foot and penned Isa in. They finally got their reward when a smart move down the left allowed the impressive Jack Massey to cut the ball back for the evergreen Kevin Breeze to squeeze the ball over the line to make it 1-1.

The goal sparked Isa into life with the introductions of Jordan Foster and Harry Lambert forcing a spell of pressure. A resulting corner into the Coedpoeth box was half cleared only as far as Ollie Howarth. He unleashed a stunning 20-yard half volley into the far corner.

The goal didn’t affect the young United team’s resolve and they continued to knock at the door and make this final a classic.

Despite Isa being in the ascendancy, a counter attack down the left allowed dangerman Massey to cut inside and he unleashed an unbelievable effort from 30 yards which left Roberts in the Isa goal with no chance – 2-2 and game on!

With the game heading towards extra time, Isa had one last opportunity before the final whistle. A Charlie Ferguson corner was stood up high into the Coedpoeth box. A sea of yellow and green and navy blue bodies scrambled desperately and somehow no one could apply the finishing touch.

Extra time

The first period was a cautious affair with both sides’ energy levels zapped after that thrilling 90 minutes.

Just before half time, Foster took possession down the right hand side and played a ball in behind for Liam Davies. The ball held up in the windy conditions and a misunderstanding at the back allowed Davies to nip in around goalkeeper Rhys Jones and calmly slot into the back of the net.

The second period was all about Isa managing the game and the young United side throwing everything they had at it.

Isa chose the right time to show some control and had their best spell of possession all game. The cherry on the icing on top of the cake was sealed minutes before the end when substitutes Lambert and Davies combined to allow the striker to run at the Coedpoeth defence one last time.

Davies turned left and right with step overs before bamboozling the defender and advancing into the box one on one. He finished with aplomb on his left foot past the advancing Jones with a goal fit to win any cup final. Shirt off, the yellow and black army bouncing and Chris Evans’ side winning the Reserve Cup for the second time.

A great occasion and a day to remember for Mynydd Isa.

TEAMS

COEDPOETH UNITED RESERVES

Rhys Jones
James Willis
Jack Massey
Lee McBurney
Aled Thomas
Joe Colley
Ben Griffiths (Nick McCormick 90+1)
N/A (Rylan Davies 94)
Kevin Breeze (c – Eryk Osinski 82)
Ross Hardy-Partington
Aaron Taylor (Josh Partngton 50)

MYNYDD ISA RESERVES

Tom Roberts
George Jones (Robert Jones 57)
Iwan Jack Mitchell (c)
Jacob Williams (Jack Casey 80)
Michael Fleetwood
George Davies
Lewis Knight (Liam Davies 57)
Cory Pygott (Harry Lambert 65)
Joe Liptrot (Jordan Foster 65)
Ollie Howarth
Charlie Ferguson