Following on from the last round Gresford travelled to Corwen knowing that this NEWFA Challenge Cup tie was never going to be an easy trip and the home side certainly proved that to be correct when they took the lead in the 3rd minute through Gethin Edwards following Corwen being gifted the ball following a mistake in the Gresford midfield. Ian Matthias looked certain to put the visitors back on level terms in the 18th minute when following a foul on Tom Hughes, Alan William's well delivered free kick was collected by him only for the linesman to adjudge him offside. Things only got worse in the 23rd minute when Corwen doubled their lead through Iwan Jones following some poor Gresford defending on all accounts which left keeper Gareth Rowland's stranded. Max Peate took a nasty knock on his ankle in the 25th minute and Gresford were unable to make any headway into Corwens lead and it was they who finished the half the brighter with the score still at 2 - 0 Following no doubt some harsh words at half time Gresford started the second half looking a different side with Darren Jones, Owen Roberts and Rob Rondell all coming close to reducing the home side lead in the first 15 minutes and a goal mouth scramble in the 67th minute saw Tom Hughes reducing the deficit however despite some good opportunity's they were were unable to reduce the Corwen lead further and the final whistle saw the home side being the team going into the hat for the semi final draw for the first team in their Club history. An all round better second half display but a lot of lessons could be learnt from the determination of the Corwen players! |
