Welsh Cup 3rd Round
Llandrindod Wells 1-3 Holywell Town

Holywell Town travelled to Llandrindod Wells for the Welsh Cup match and knew it would be a close affair as Llandrindod Wells were also undefeated in the league, and with their forwards already scoring over 40 goals between them, we knew it would be a difficult game to win.

Town opened the brightest of both teams and Sam Jones and Paul Williams both had efforts go over the bar in the early stages of the game. Town were putting together some good moves and a great move involving Sam Jones, Graeme Willaims and Steve Thomas saw Thomas fire over when in a good position. Llandrindod’s first real effort fell on 17 minutes as Richard Powell took a shot which Danny Stanton saved easily.

Matty Roberts made a great run down the left and he beat a couple of defenders before crossing over to Steve Thomas but his shot went wide. A few minutes later, Graham Boylan was desperately unlucky not to get a touch to the ball into the net after a neat fliock on by Steve Thomas before Town broke from midfield and good movement and passing between Sam Jones and Steve Thomas saw a Llandrindod defender clearing just before Thomas could pull the trigger. Boylan, who was having a good game flicked the ball over towards Paul Williams but he was just a touch away from putting the ball into the net.

The Wellmen were getting frustrated as the Referee didn’t give Town a penalty on the half hour mark as Boylan was knocked off the ball and Sam Jones received an elbow to the face but Town pressed on and a few minutes later, Sam Jones was running at goal and Llandrindod’s captain Chris Murphy put in a great block to see the ball go out for a corner. Steve Thomas then had a shot saved well by Mark Truelove in the Llandrindod goal before Sam Jones saw his dangerous free kick into the box flicked out to safety by the head of Daryl Nicholls.

The hosts, who were dangerous on the break took the lead against the run of play on 37 minutes. the ball fell kindly to Connor Bird and he broke clear of the Town defence, and he slotted the ball past Danny Stanton in the Wellmens goal. Town piled on the pressure to get an equaliser before the break but the closest we came was a Steve Thomas shot which went over the bar.

The Second half saw Town kick up the hill and the first real chance fell to Holywell. Graeme Williams broke from midfield and he passed the ball across to Sam Jones, and his lay off saw Paul Williams shoot towards goal but it went over the bar before Sam Jones also had an effort go over the bar. Llandrindod Wells then had a chance as Robbie Nichols was put through but he miskicked the ball when going to shoot and the ball ended up going out to safety. More pressure saw Danny Stanton save well from Richard Powell and the rebound fell to Jonny Williams but his effort went wide. Robbie Nicholls then put in a great ball for the strikers to attack but Tom McElmeel headed clear.

Graham Boylan then had a long range shot dip just over the bar but he didn’t have to wait long to get on the scoresheet. On 73 minutes, Sub Sion Mchugh crossed the ball towards Boylan and he controlled the ball before turning and shooting to see the ball hit the roof of the net. Town were back in it and fancied their chances to get a winner. But it was the hosts who had the next chance, Richard Powell broke clear and Danny Stanton got the slightest of touches to his shot and the ball hit the post and went out for a corner.
That miss proved costly for Llandrindod Wells as a few minutes later, the Wellmen took the lead. Paul Williams broke clear and rode the challenge of a defender, before shooting at TrueLove in the hosts goal but he managed to block the shot but Williams was first toe the rebound and he hit the ball into the back of the net to give Town a deserved lead. Town still looked for more goals and Steve Thomas broke clear but he was brought down by Shaun Nicholls to win the Wellmen a penalty.

Paul D Williams stepped up and made no mistake to fire the ball home past Truelove to start wild scenes of joy both on and off the pitch!
Robbie Nicholls then had a chance at the end of the match but Stanton was able to get a touch to the ball and forced Nicholls to run the ball out for a corner, which was cleared to safety.

The referee blew for full time and the Wellmen celebrated a brilliant comeback and the reward for the victory is a trip to Welsh Premier side Newtown in the next round. It was a brilliant performance by the Wellmen and our attitude and belief saw us through to the next round.