NEWFA Trophy: Chirk make winning start with victory over Druids

Chirk (red) and Druids compete from a corner. Pictures: BRIAN PRYDDEN – many thanks

NEWFA Trophy – August 7

Chirk AAA 3 (Ed Rogers 4, Tristan Lloyd 55, Louis Morris 84)

Cefn Druids 0

Attendance: 140 (headcount)

Report: Shaun Best

Chirk AAA made a winning start in the NEWFA Trophy at the expense of Cefn Druids to continue their positive start to the season.

Tom Freeman had a hand in all of his side’s three goals and will be one to watch throughout the season as the Colliers navigate Tier 5.

An extended League format of this season’s Trophy competition has seen a number of reserve sides enter the fray. Having scored victories in both the Welsh Cup and Amateur Trophy in the last fortnight, the hosts used their sharpness to put a fresh Druids side to the sword.

Freeman got on the end of a square ball in the box early on and struck the post. In truth, he should have scored and Druids goalkeeper Jake Mellor did well to block a follow up and send the ball out of play. Freeman floated the resulting corner onto the head of teammate Ed Rogers to nod Chirk in front.

Druids almost hit back shortly after. However, new Portuguese signing Joise Fernandes overran a through ball and clattered into Chirk goalkeeper Callum Taylor. Thankfully, both were able to continue after receiving treatment.

Freeman continued to cause the visitors problems, latching onto a poor goal kick and leaving Druids with Mellor to thank when his outstretched leg prevented a second goal.

Druids wasted a golden opportunity to equalise just before the break. A Chad Humphreys corner caused chaos in the Chirk box, with the ball striking the woodwork then pinballing around the box before being cleared to safety.

A Mellor blooper almost cost his side a second goal. The shot stopper fumbled an easy catch from a free kick to leave an open goal at the mercy of Daniel Evans, but he somehow shot the ball directly into a relieved Mellor’s path. Evans quickly made amends when he picked up Freeman’s pass and laid off for Tristan Lloyd to place a low effort beyond Mellor’s gloves.

Tom Freeman on the attack for Chirk

It took a robust shoulder tackle by Druids defender Jardel Tavares to prevent Freeman from netting a third goal. The Chirk man tried to turn provider again, but Tommy McArdle sent his header towards the neighbouring cricket pitch.

Mellor got down well to expertly turn a Sam Nash effort away from danger, but was powerless to prevent the net rippling again a few moments later. Freeman burst down the flank and his teasing ball across the box was smashed in by substitute Louis Morris.

With the bit between his teeth, Freeman ran onto a route one clearance and saw one final effort fly inches over the bar. The Holyhead Road faithful finally have reason to cheer following three relegation plagued seasons.