Cookson Cup Final
Holywell Town 1-2 Llanrug United.

Holywell Town were looking to defend the Cookson Cup they won 12 months earlier, incidentally against last years’ runners up team and The Wellmen went in to the game on the back of Saturday’s FAW Trophy victory over Abergavenny. Backed and cheered on by a large number of supporters, Town started the game well, winning a couple of free kicks and the balls into the box were cleared well by the Llanrug rearguard. Town had a glorious chance to take the lead with 9 minutes on the clock. The ball breaks in the area and first to pick up the loose ball is Tom McElmeel and he skips past the challenges of two defenders before forcing a great save out of Dylan Roberts, the Llanrugh United keeper.

The Wellmen were playing well and another free kick taken by Sam Jones into the box saw Matty Harvey rise well but his header flew wide of Roberts’ post. A few minutes later, a great move by the Wellmen saw Ryan Davies pass the ball to Phil Lloyd, he runs with the ball and skips past the challenges of a couple of defenders before crossing low into the box but the cross was slightly too fast for the on rushing Sam Jones to slide in.

Then, very much against the run of play, Llanrug took the lead. Llanrug broke quickly down the right and a decent cross into the box found the head of John Peris Williams who headed home despite Mike Platt getting a touch to the ball. The Wellmen were shocked and pressed forward looking for a quick equaliser. Sam Jones and Phil Lloyd having efforts go close before disaster struck for the Wellmen as Llanrug doubled their lead. A loose ball in midfield was picked up by Llanrug who broke clear and Carl Griffiths slotted the ball home into the bottom corner to give Llanrug a two goal lead. Sam Jones went close for the Wellmen a few minutes before half time but as the referee blew for half time, it was Llanrug who held the advantage.

The Second half started and the first real chance of the half fell to Llanrug. Mike Platt was forced into a good save off Griffiths’ shot then Terry Jones blasted the follow up over the bar. Town pulled one back on the hour mark through Paul Williams, scoring after a slip by the Llanrug United keeper and Williams made no mistake slotting the ball home. Tom Mcelmeel then had a shot go over the bar before Ryan Davies broke clear down the left and skipped past a couple of defenders before his shot was well saved again by Roberts.
Town piled on more pressure and Williams crossed a dangerous looking ball into the area towards Lloyd and Sam Jones but Roberts rose and punched the ball clear; Roberts was taking a long time to take goal kicks, much to the annoyance of the Wellmen Supporters behind the goal, and it was made worse by the referee who only asked on a couple of occasions for him to hurry up.

Manager John Haseldin then made a double substitution sending on Tony Roebuck and Stuart Hayes in a bid to get the equaliser. As we entered the final 10 minutes of the game, Town very nearly scored a late equaliser. A great sliding tackle by Tony Roebuck prevented the Llanrug attacker to break clear, and his ball over to Phil Lloyd was flicked on towards Stuart Hayes, but his shot flew over the upright and out for a goal kick. Again Roberts was called into action, punching the ball clear from yet another dangerous cross by Williams before Town had 2 blatant penalties for Handball turned down within a few minutes of each other.

The referee blew for full time and the Llanrug Players celebrated winning the Cookson Cup. It was a disappointing night for the Wellmen who played really well and got nothing out of the game. Roll on Saturday.....