FLASHBACK – 10 years ago: Holywell Town march on in the FAW Amateur Trophy

FAW Trophy round 4 – November 22, 2014

Tywyn Bryncrug 1 (Jones 30)
Holywell Town 4 (Tyson 20, McElmeel 40 pen, Lloyd 51, 69)

Report: Steve Roberts

The season after Holywell made history by becoming the first tier 3 side ever to reach the Welsh Cup semi-finals, they lifted the national FAW Trophy as part of a magnificent treble.

Town were on a remarkable run of 16 straight victories from the start of 2014-15 before travelling to Mid-Wales League side Tywyn Bryncrug in the Trophy fourth round 10 years ago this week.

The visitors had the first effort at Cae Chwarae when Luke Tyson’s shot was blocked by the legs of Tywyn keeper George Richards.

Tyson was in action again a minute or so later, but his effort this time went wide of the post.

Soon after, Phil Lloyd’s shot cannoned back out off the post and Tywyn breathed again.

The hosts weathered the early storm and in their first real attack, went close as Mark Edmondson found himself through on goal with only Michael Platt to beat, but dragged his shot inches wide.

The Welsh Alliance League visitors opened the scoring on 20 minutes. A great move down the left saw Matty Roberts thread the ball through to Paul Williams, who ran into the box and his low cross was tapped in by Tyson at the far post.

Tyson was denied by Richards before disaster struck when the home side equalised.

A Tywyn corner was only partially cleared and the ball fell to Matthew Jones who shot from outside the area. The ball took a deflection and fell to Aled Jones, who it seemed was in an offside position, but the referee allowed play to continue and he fired past Platt to draw the teams level.

The goal lifted Tywyn Bryncrug and a few minutes later, they should have taken the lead as Edmondson found himself in a one on one with Platt, but the keeper got down quickly to brilliantly save before the ball was cleared to safety.

This was a big let off for the Wellmen and five minutes later Johnny Haseldin’s men had regained the lead.

Tywyn’s Paul Grant handled in the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Tom McElmeel converted and made it 2-1 at half time.

Early in the second half, Lloyd went close twice before making it third time lucky on 51 minutes.

Thomas’ cross beat the Tywyn defender and the ball was met by the unmarked Lloyd, who netted to give Town a 3-1 lead.

A minute later, Tywyn nearly pulled one back as Aled Jones’ shot was saved by Platt.

Paul Williams then had a shot from outside the area which hit the crossbar and bounced down. It seemed over the line before spinning back into play, but the referee decided otherwise.

Town’s Paul Williams watched as his shot was saved by Richards before sub John Leonard fired over after a good move involving Thomas and Paul Williams.

Graeme Williams then burst into the box and his low cross found Thomas, but his shot was again thwarted by the hosts number 1.

Holywell wrapped the tie up on 69 minutes when Lloyd found himself through on goal, tapped the ball past the onrushing keeper and it crept into the bottom corner to give Town a 4-1 lead.

HAPPY ENDING

Town went on to lift the FAW Trophy, scoring 26 goals in seven ties, including netting four on five occasions, as well as a five and a one in the semi.

Phil Lloyd was the tournament’s top scorer with 9 goals in seven matches. The Trophy was won at Maesdu Park, Llandudno, the Wellmen beating Penrhyndeudraeth 4-2 in the final.

That season also saw Holywell lift the Welsh Alliance League title and Mawddach Cup. They also reached the Cookson Cup final and the last 16 of the Welsh Cup, losing on penalties to Welsh Premier Aberystwyth, who defeated them at the semi-final stage in 2013-14.

Holywell Town

Michael Platt, Matthew Harvey, Matty Roberts (John Leonard 60), Tom McElmeel, Dafydd Griffith, Graeme Williams, Paul Williams (Danny Sim 75), Tony Roebuck, Phil Lloyd, Luke Tyson (Sion McHugh 60), Steve Thomas. Sub not used: Johnny Haseldin.

FAW TROPHY RUN TO GLORY 2014-15

ROUND TWO – Sep 21, 2014: Amlwch Town (away) 4-0 (J Leonard, G Williams, P Williams, P Lloyd)
ROUND THREE – Oct 25, 2014: Nantlle Vale (home) 4-0 (P Williams 2, ,J D’arcy, J Haseldin)
ROUND FOUR – Nov 22, 2014: Tywyn Bryncrug (away) 4-1 (L Tyson, T McElmeel pen, P Lloyd 2)
ROUND FIVE – Jan 31, 2015: Gresford Athletic (away) 5-1 (T Roebuck, P Lloyd 2, T McElmeel, G Williams)
QUARTER-FINAL – Feb 21, 2015: Hakin United (away) 4-3 (P Lloyd 2, M Harvey, J D’arcy)
SEMI-FINAL – Mar 21, 2015: Abergavenny Town (away) 1-0 (T McElmeel)
FINAL – Apr 18, 2015: Penrhyndeudraeth (N) 4-2 (P Lloyd 2, S Thomas, S Jones pen)