10 years on: Remembering Holywell Town’s record-breaking Welsh Cup run of 2013-14

It is 10 years since Holywell Town made a piece of Welsh Cup history that might never be equalled.

Johnny Haseldin’s Welsh Alliance League heroes became the first Tier 3 team ever to reach the semi-finals of the national knockout, which began in 1877-78..

The 2013-14 campaign saw the Wellmen single-handedly revive the magic of a tournament which was still badly missing the inclusion of the Football League exiles who were barred from the competition 20 years earlier.

In their golden run, Town knocked out three Huws Gray Alliance clubs and a Welsh Premier team before losing 3-1 to Aberystwyth in the last four.

Holywell, whose best performance since that glorious season was reaching the quarter-finals in 2022-23 as a Tier 2 club, will embark on their latest Welsh Cup venture this Saturday at home to fellow Cymru North outfit Ruthin Town.

HERE IS A LOOK BACK TO HOLYWELL’S WELSH CUP DREAM ADVENTURE OF 2013-14

Holywell Town 8 Llannerchymedd 1 (Qualifying Round Two)

The Wellmen had this tie wrapped up by half time, at which stage they were 6-0 in front.

Graeme Williams 2, Steve Thomas, Luke Tyson, Graham Boylan, Paul Williams, Mark Orme and Josh Roberts shared the goals.

Holywell Town 3 Penrhyncoch 0 (Round One)

The giant-killing heroics began as three late goals saw off Huws Gray Alliance visitors Penrhyncoch at Halkyn Road.

Tony Roebuck, Paul Williams and Steve Thomas all found the net.

Holywell Town 3 Penycae 0 (Round Two)

Penycae were the next HGA side to perish to the Welsh Alliance heroes.

Sam Jones and Graham Boylan netted in the first half, then a Tim Manuel own goal completed the job after the break.

Llandrindod Wells 1 Holywell Town 3 (Round Three)

Llandrindod were a Spar Mid-Wales League side when they welcomed the Wellmen to Powys in the last 32.

Town trailed to a Connor Bird goal at half time, but in the second period Graham Boylan, Paul Williams and Paul D Williams (penalty) turned the contest in the visitors’ favour.

Holywell Town 3 Newtown 2 (Round Four)

After three postponements this tie was switched to Halkyn Road and was the game which really put Holywell on the map as they dumped out Welsh Premier opposition.

Paul Williams, Sam Jones and Steve Thomas made it 3-0 at the break for the Wellmen against the Robins, whose keeper Mike Platt went on to join Holywell.

Newtown piled on the pressure after the turnaround, hitting back through Tom Goodwin and Matthew Hearsey, but the underdogs held on for an amazing victory.

Holywell Town 2 Porthmadog 1 (Quarter-Finals)

Holywell entered the record books when they became the first third-tier club ever to reach the Welsh Cup semi-finals courtesy of a win over HGA side Porthmadog.

Sam Jones put the Wellmen ahead, Leon Newell equalised before the interval, but Dafydd Griffith plundered a late winner for Town.

Aberystwyth Town 3 Holywell Town 1 (Semi-Finals)

An unforgettable afternoon at Latham Park, Newtown, saw rank outsiders Holywell take a shock lead against Welsh Premier favourites Aber when Tom McElmeel fired them in front.

Craig Williams equalised before the break, but it needed late goals from Chris Venables and Geoff Kellaway to see the Blacks and Greens into the final and end Holywell’s remarkable adventure.