MATCH OF THE DAY 2: Former Cymru Premier title winner and Euro hero Roberts emerges as unlikely hero in stunning Buckley win

JD CYMRU NORTH – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Holywell Town 0
Buckley Town 1 (Bellis 68)

It was the best part of 15 years ago that defender Chris Roberts was winning Cymru Premier League titles and playing his part in European victories.

Now aged 40, the celebrated full-back is a hero all over again – as a goalkeeper!

Roberts admits he had never played in goal until his current club Buckley Town asked him to stand in as an emergency keeper for a crucial clash against Cymru North current leaders Llandudno at The Globe a fortnight ago.

Regular glovesman Josh Tibbetts pulled out at the 11th hour due to sickness and Roberts did not hesitate in volunteering to deputise.

Although the Bucks lost 3-2, Roberts played superbly between the sticks so the management had no qualms about asking him to fill in against for the daunting visit to unbeaten Holywell Town on Saturday.

This time the result was even better as the first team coach produced a fantastic display with Asa Hamilton’s side claiming a magnificent 1-0 victory at Bartons North Wales Stadium.

After the game, Roberts said he has no intention of challenging Tibbetts for the number 1 jersey.

“I haven’t played in goal before competitively apart from 2 weeks ago against Llandudno, but I’ll always give it 100%. I’m just deputising for injuries and sickness.

“Hopefully, I can hang up the gloves after today!”

Left-back Roberts began his career with Buckley before spells at Colwyn Bay and Cefn Druids led to a transfer to John Hulse’s Rhyl FC side in November 2006.

He was part of the star-studded Lilywhites squad which won the Welsh Premier League title in 2008-09 under Allan Bickerstaff and Osian Roberts before Nev Powell signed him for Bangor City

Roberts went on to lift the Welsh Premier League championship with the Citizens in 2010-11, as well as the Welsh Cup.

He eventually moved on to Buckley in 2016, later turning out for Flint Town United and Mold Alex prior to a return to The Globe 2019.

Roberts has been with the Bucks ever since, both as a player and coach.

In Europe, he represented Rhyl in a famous 3-1 Europa League victory against Haka of Finland in 2007/08 and was in the Bangor side which knocked out Finns Honka Espoo over two legs in the same competition in 2010/11.

He also represented Rhyl against Bohemian of Ireland in the 2009 Intertoto Cup and wore the colours of Bangor in the Europa League against Honka in 2090/10, Portugal team Maritimo in 2010/11, HJK Helsinki in the Champions League (2011/12), then Zimbru Chisinau (Moldova) in 2013 and Icelandic outfit Stjarnan (2015).

MATCH REPORT

HOLYWELL TOWN 0
BUCKLEY TOWN 1

What a stunning result from the Bartons North Wales Stadium as Holywell lost their unbeaten record to a Buckley side whose stand-in keeper Chris Roberts produced a magnificent performance.

The three points were sealed through a superb header from Aled Bellis in the 68th minute which keeps the Bucks firmly entrenched in the top six.

It was the keeper at the other end, John Danby, who shone first, producing a superb ninth-minute stop to deny the visitors the lead.

Roberts then came into his own, making a fine block to thwart Craig Lindfield before pushing a fierce Jack Sconce strike onto the crossbar.

While pressing hard for the opener, the Wellmen were finding it difficult to create chances in the final third. Half-time 0-0.

Ieuan Hewitt went close with a free kick before Jake Cooke had a shot blocked as the hosts began the second half on top.

However, the situation changed on 68 minutes when Nick Grogan crossed and Bellis’ fine header beat Danby to make it 1-0.

Roberts continued to work wonders to keep out Holywell efforts, while the Bucks defence never lacked courage to put bodies on the line.

And there was no more scoring, meaning Holywell slumped to a very rare home league defeat.

If this turns out to be Chris Roberts’ last senior appearance, what a way to sign off!