10 years ago: the greatest day in Llanrug United’s proud history

Llanrug United 3 (David Noel Williams 56, Kevin Lloyd 60 & 82)
Chirk AAA 2 (Phil Pearce 62, Jamie Foulkes 90)
FAW Trophy final – April 12, 2014

Llanrug United celebrated the greatest day in their history on this date 10 years ago as they lifted the FAW Trophy after a thrilling final at Rhyl’s Belle Vue Stadium.

Welsh Alliance Division One met Welsh National League Premier Division in a cracking Tier 3 encounter.

Both clubs brought a large support and the atmosphere inside BV was passionate and noisy.

The first half was a very tight affair which ended goalless with defences on top.

Llanrug began the second half the better, and on 52 minutes came the best chance so far when David Noel Williams lofted a great cross with the outside of his right boot into Kevin Lloyd, who blasted over from close range.

However, in the 56th minute the deadlock was broken when Dan Pyrs’ cross from the right clipped the bar and David Noel Williams was on hand to head home.

On the hour United went two up when Carl Griffiths made a superb run into the box down the left and squared to Lloyd, who netted with a fantastic finish.

Chirk pulled one back two minutes later when defender and captain Phil Pearce headed in a Williams corner.

The Colliers now finally began to show why they had scored 15 goals in their previous two Trophy ties as they pushed hard for the equaliser.

However, the red and whites rode the storm and Ryan Roberts was forced into a double save to deny Pyrs and Jon Peris Jones before ‘Rug made it 3-1 in the 80th minute.

Griffiths delivered from the right and Lloyd’s bullet header proved too powerful for Roberts to keep out.

Chirk gave themselves late hope in the second of four added minutes when Jamie Foulkes headed in after Jamie Jones’ attempt came back off the bar, but Llanrug held on to lift the Trophy for the first time.

LLANRUG UNITED

Dylan Roberts (GK), Darren Phillips (Andrew Garlick 85), Matthew Phillips, Terry Jones, Eifion Williams ©, Dylan Owen, Rhys Roberts (Jonathan Peris Jones 77), David Noel Williams, Marvin Pritchard (Dan Pyrs 34), Kevin Lloyd, Carl Griffiths
Unused substitutes: Neil Perkins (GK), Thomas Williams

CHIRK AAA

Ryan Roberts (GK), Jamie Foulkes, Jamie Jones, Jason Williams, Phil Pearce ©, Andy Morris (Shaun Morris 27), Nicky Williams, Chris Bennion, Aaron Blackwell (Ben Jones 72), Nic Jones (Khos Jones 72), Adam Jones
Unused substitutes: Sean Jones, Anthony Jones