It was a typical Autumn afternoon with sunshine and showers, which made the pitch very testing for both sides. The game got underway and the Wellmen had the better of the early possession which resulted in the first chance of the game falling the Wellmen’s way with a few minutes on the clock. Town broke down the left and a good cross by Haci Ozlu forced the keeper to punch clear with Dave Forbes ready to challenge for the ball, then moments later Danny Andrews had an effort which was blocked by the Chirk defender. Town continued to pile on the pressure, Luke Wiltshire having an effort from outside the box fly inches wide of Mark Richards’ post, then the Home side have their first effort on the Wellmen’s goal. A quick ball from the back released Dale Davies, he found himself on his own with just Keighan Jones to beat but he miskicked his shot and Jones easily gathered the ball and the chance had gone.
Town continued to press forward and Andrews was again unlucky as his shot was blocked after a good ball by Forbes, then it was Forbes’ turn to test the Chirk defence, a good cross saw him head the ball goalwards but Richards saved well. Another effort by Andrews saw the ball partially cleared by the defender but only as far as Ilan ap Gareth, but his shot was blocked for a corner. From the resulting corner, Town come closest to breaking the deadlock, as Danny Sullivan rose and his header smashed against the crossbar before being cleared to safety.
With all the possession and pressure put on the Chirk goal, it was only a matter of time before the Wellmen finally took the lead. A great ball through for Dave Forbes to chase saw the defender slip giving Forbes the chance to pick up the ball and he slams it past the keeper to give Town the lead, and no more than they deserved.
The home side looked for an instant response, breaking well and Louie Middlehurst had his effort saved well by Jones before the ball was cleared, then Rhys Edwards had an effort blocked by Kai Edwards. The Wellmen doubled their lead with a few minutes of the half remaining. Town won a free kick and Danny Andrews kick into the box was only partially cleared and Danny Sullivan is on hand to poke the ball home to grab Town’s second goal of the afternoon, which saw the Wellmen lead at the break.
The second half began with both sides looking to get control of the game, Town pressed but were unable to create as many chances as they had in the first half, but the home side also had more possession and themselves had a couple of half chances which they should have done better with. Town’s best chances early on saw Sullivan having a shot blocked, before Tom Bibby saw his shot saved well by Mark Richards. Town then went close again, Danny Andrews free kick is cleared but falls to Bibby, but his shot goes wide of the goal.
Chirk then have their best chance of the game, they win a free kick midway inside the Wellmen’s half, the ball is crossed into the box is flicked on and Jones does well and pulls off a great save, before Luke Wiltshire picks up the loose ball and calmly wrong foots the striker and is able to clear the ball to safety. The last chance of the game fell to the home side, but the effort, deep into injury time, is easily saved by Jones.
The referee blew for full time and the Wellmen were victorious and also, today’s victory meant the Wellmen had won 10 league games on the bounce and also the victory means the Wellmen remain joint top of the JD Cymru League North with Colwyn Bay.
(Many thanks and credit to EADO Photography for the picture)