Report: Shaun Best
Saltney saw off a spirited Aston Park Rangers 2-0 in the NEWFA Challenge Cup.
The match was played at the Dragon Steel Stadium after concerns over the state of the pitch at Aston Park led to the game being switched at the last minute.
Aston were quick to settle and Saltney had goalkeeper Oliver Smith to thank when he stuck out a foot to block Adam Randles’s effort.
The Aston frontman had beaten the offside trap to go through on goal, but Smith kept a cool head. That miss proved to be costly.
Saltney heeded the warning, came into the game and won a penalty. Aston’s young shot stopper Jake Bennion guessed right to keep out Jay Thelwell’s effort, but he ended up picking the ball out of the net just two minutes later.
Saltney’s Dami Salami chested the ball down to create space for himself in the box, before picking his spot to fire the Bordermen in front.
The Tier 4 side then made it 2-0 midway through the second half. Carl Pleavin rode a tackle on the byline, before his precise pull back was slotted in by Jordan Hensel from close range.
Smith’s feet came to Saltney’s rescue once again when they thwarted Ryan Edge’s effort. Aston remained in the game, but simply couldn’t get any change out of a resolute Saltney rearguard.
Six of the best from the Park, James Gregory 9 minutes, Jordan Williams pen 25, Ethan Simpson 31, Bazza Torrence 64, Ryan Jakovlevs 80 and Jack Mitchell 82 sharing the goals.
Rhyd fought back from two-down to win Saturday’s local derby.
Leon Sumner and Aaron North struck on 26 and 34 minutes respectively to hand Yr Wyddgrug a commanding interval lead, but Connor Whelan bagged a second half brace on 59 (pen) and 80 for the visitors before Joel Griffiths knocked in the decider after 84.
Close one at Caerwys, but Casty edged it with goals from Luca Nardo, Daniel Woosey and Nathan Davies, Ryan Carrington and Ruari Wood replying for the hosts,
All the goals came in the second half.
Conner Kendrick 53 and 56, Cameron Thomas 75 and 90+4, plus a Polat Ciftci strike on 85 won it for Rovers, Shea Harding replying on the hour for United.
Played at Saltney Town – report above
Matthew Bithell and Marcus Davies netted in the first half for Penyffordd, Jack Pennington hitting back for Greenfield in the second period, but the visitors advanced.
Connahs Quay Town XI 4 (Lewis Harris 2, 60, Charlie Cavanagh 19, Liam Murphy 90 – Sam Fairclough & Liam Wellings sent off 86 for violent conduct) Corwen Reserves 1 (Lewis Wills 56 – Kian Harrison sent off 87 for violent conduct)
Llangollen Town Reserves 1 (Simon Williams 68) – Thomas Williams sent off 21 for deliberate handball CPD Rhos Aelwyd Reserves 5 (Jack White 30, Edward Neale 40, Luke Williams 54, Theodore Williams 71, James Haynes 84)
Penycae Reserves 1 (Joshua Rush 40) Brickfield Rangers Reserves 0
FC Queen’s Park Reserves 1 (Sean Humphreys 31) Greenfield Reserves 1 (Dylan Radcliffe pen 58)
Castell Alun Colts Reserves 1 (Jarrod Christopher 41) Broughton United Reserves 4 (Jayden Evans 9, Harry Wood 29, 64, Evan Davies 45 +3)
Coedpoeth United Development Team P-P CPD Sychdyn United Reserves
Deeside Dragons Reserves 3 (Giovanni Futia 22, 32, Keiye Williams 79) Ruthin Town Colts 5 (Ian Williams 20, 40, Huw Lloyd 56, Seth Evans 57, Sam Evans 84)
Holywell United Reserves 1 (Isaac Haimes pen 26) Cefn Albion Reserves 1 (Charlie Gorham 12) – Richard Hughes sent off 70 for deliberate handball
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