WELSH CUP GIANT-KILLING 2: Hopwood is the hero as underdogs Broughton stun Corwen

JD WELSH CUP QUALIFYING ROUND TWO – AUGUST 23, 2025

Broughton United 1 (Hopwood 89) Corwen 0

What a day for one of North Wales football’s newest clubs!

In just their second season in senior football, Broughton United advanced to the first round proper of the Welsh Cup after defeating distinguished Tier 3 campaigners Corwen.

Having walloped fellow T4 side Penrhyndeudraeth 5-1 in the first qualifying round before seeing off Corwen, Steve Wright and Gary Evans’ giant-killers can now look forward to the prospect of a tie with another of the ‘big boys’ in Thursday’s draw.

Winners of the North East Wales League Championship Division title in their debut season after scoring 172 goals in 28 games, Broughton have risen to Division 1 this term and have now progressed through two rounds of the Welsh Cup in their first campaign of entering the national knockout.

Ardal North East outfit Corwen, who had eliminated Prestatyn Town in the previous round, began as strong favourites for Saturday’s tie at the North Street Pitch, but the romance of the cup struck once again.

The two sides had met in a pre-season friendly, with Corwen coming out 3-1 winners.

Although the team in the higher tier had taken the victory on the day, there were clear signs that Broughton could compete.

The draw for the second qualifying round of the Welsh Cup gave them another chance to prove that.

The first half was an even affair as both combatants sussed each other out. Corwen were kept at bay for the most part, whilst Broughton had good chances to go in ahead which they couldn’t take.

The hosts began to turn the screw in the second half, and as time went on, more and more chances went begging.

Although they were keeping Corwen at arm’s length, they knew the danger they possessed should a chance present itself. In the closing stages,

Then in the 89th minute the tie was decided.

James Rutter got free and had an effort saved by Dan Clark, but 62nd minute substitute Lewis Hopwood was on hand to follow up and bundle home to secure a famous victory.

BROUGHTON UNITED

Liam Tarran, Thomas Beacher, Ricky Wilson, Cameron Jones, Nathan Swann-Jones, Lewis Jones, Rhys Baines, James Rutter, Jayden Evans, Elliott Evans (c), Luke Muia.

SUBS USED: Connor Calby, Lewis Hopwood.

CORWEN

Dan Clark, Dafydd Evans, Tom Weyman, Mackenzie Stark, Luke Jones, Calyn Spencer, Calum Butler, Henry Evans, Tom Williams, Oli Crimp, Joe Ephraim.

SUBS USED: Pat Hinchcliffe, Harley Bennion, Thomas Mann.

Wimpole’s Welsh Cup fact

Match-winner Lewis Hopwood scored 23 goals for Broughton last season – including seven in one game!