North East Wales League: It’s Park v Rhostyllen in Horace Wynne Final, Mynydd Isa back on top
NORTH EAST WALES FOOTBALL LEAGUE REPORTS – MARCH 15
Horace Wynne Cup semi-finals
Lex XI 0 FC Queen’s Park 3
Two second half goals from Corey Smart clinched Queen’s Park their place in the Horace Wynne Cup final where a meeting with keen rivals Rhostyllen awaits.
A crowd of nearly 400 witnessed two teams go toe-to-toe for 90 minutes at Stansty Park, and it was the Park who came away with the victory, the difference being their superior ruthlessness with the ball in the final third.
Lex had a nightmare start with Nicky Williams having his tough attacking style rewarded as he shrugged off defenders to cross for 18-year-old Ryan Jakovlevs to expertly flick the ball into the net after two minutes.
The Lawmen had more of the first period, but for all their possession struggled to break down the Park and got hit with a sucker punch after half time when the excellent Smart converted as the hosts failed to clear their lines.
Added time was being played when with Lex pushing up to try and get a goal back, a long clearance again put the Law’s short-handed defence under pressure, giving away a free kick which Smart excellently converted to put the game to bed.
An excellent advert for tier 4, great crowd but Queen’s Park’s day.
Penyffordd Lions 1 Rhostyllen 1 (Rhostyllen won on penalties)
Happy birthday Rhostyllen manager Simon Sedgwick – Tuesday, March 18!
The celebrations came early for the popular Sedge when his team Rhostyllen reached the Horace Wynne Cup final on Saturday via a penalty shootout at Ysgol Penyffordd.
In the final, Rhostyllen will renew rivalries with Queen’s Park, who they beat 3-2 in the NEWFL Premier Cup semis on March 1.
Saturday’s tie saw Paul Messham’s 32nd minute penalty hand Penyffordd a half-time lead, but Adam Williams’ equaliser on the 90 forced an eventual spot-kicks showdown.
The Village converted all five of their kicks to reach their second final of the season.
Winning boss Sedgwick said: “We got there in the end and fully deserved our win. They were the better team first half and started the game with a fast direct approach that we were expecting.
“Penyffordd had a couple of chances to take the lead before they were awarded a soft penalty. “Second half we were finally rewarded with another late goal from Adam, who we threw up front to try and get us back in the game. After a great ball by Tom Wills, Adam put it away like a striker.
“If I’m being honest there was only one team in it second half, and I think we had 15 corners from our dominant play. Into extra time and again we were by far the better team, our play and fitness levels had us in control but we couldn’t get the winner.
“Penalties are a lottery for any team and I have to say all of ours were excellent and we got there in the end.
“Super proud of the players who battled away to get us into another final.”
NORTH EAST WALES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
Mynydd Isa 4 CPD Gronant 0
Mynydd Isa returned to the Premier summit in style with a comfortable win over Gronant.
Kieran Jones made the breakthrough on 42 minutes and that goal was all that separated the teams at the break.
Early in the second half, captain Sam Wainwright gave the hosts breathing space with his 22nd goal of the campaign, Dylan Roberts delivering his second assist of the game.
Ste Chiocchi made it three on 56, Braden Lavin with the assist, and a fourth was added by Nathan Mendoza – his 19th of the season.
CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION
Acton 6 Brymbo 2
Sean Price was the star of the show for Acton with a four-goal haul which included two penalties.
Price has now netted 12 goals in as many appearances in the Championship this season.
Thomas Edwards and Michael Pugh were also on target for the hosts, Toby Hughes (pen) and Matthew Bithell replying for the Steelmen.
Aston Park Rangers 0 Rhydymwyn 4
Nathan Williams (2) and Tomos Cummings were among the scorers for Rhydymwyn in this convincing away success.
CPD Cei Connah 0 Broughton United 8
A big win for the leaders against a well-spirited CPD Cei Connah side.
Lewis Wright opened the scoring with a cross that found the back of the net.
Jayden Evans and Luke Muia also struck to make it 3-0 at half time.
Broughton came out strongly for the second half, Evans notching his 40th goal of the season and Muia also on target.
Jimmy Ratcliffe, Ryan Pearce and Jake Jones all added to the Broughton tally before the end.
Goalkeeper Lewis Thornton claimed his 11th league clean sheet.
Lewis Wright was named MOM. An engine in midfield all game, whilst also claiming a goal and two assists
Deeside United P Johnstown YFC P
Overton Recreation 5 Skippy 1
Alex Williams (2), Mark Matthews, Nathan Tombs and sub Peter Thedens shared the goals in this Overton triumph.
Matthews’ own goal handed Skippy their consolation.
CPD Yr Wyddgrug 16 Bellevue 0
Lewis James scored five goals and provided five assists in a stunning individual display for Yr Wyddgrug.
James is now up to 35 goals for the season from just 25 matches.
Henry Jones added four for the hosts, while Leon Sumner and Alun Wilson pocketed hat-tricks and sub Sam Moxley completed the rout.
RESERVE DIVISION GROUP A
Saltney Town Reserves 1 Mynydd Isa Reserves 6
Sub Jack Casey was a hat-trick star for victorious Mynydd Isa.
Cameron Anderson, Oliver Howarth (pen) and Michael Whales added singles for the visitors, Leon Whitley on the mark for the Bordermen.
RESERVE DIVISION GROUP B THIRD ROUND
Brymbo Reserves 2 Castell Alun Colts Reserves 4
Ben Williams (pen), Nathan Davies, Robert Parcesepe and Kacper Wojciech all made the scoresheet in this Casty win, Darren Mbele on target for Brymbo.
Connah’s Quay Town XI 0 Greenfield Reserves 3
Great win for Greenfield in this battle of the top two, Bailey Roberts, captain Jack Gilmore and Jack Stevens with the all-important goals.
FC Queen’s Park Reserves 4 Coedpoeth United Reserves 4
All-square in an eight-goal thriller, Kieran Jarvis, Daniel Roberts (2, 1 pen) and Liam Lawrence splitting the Park’s tally, Josh Partington and skipper Kevin Breeze with two apiece for the visitors.