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Welsh Cup Round One
Chirk AAA Vs. Gresford Athletic
Saturday 25th. September

The game finally goy under way three weeks after the original conference date. Gresford started brightly and almost took the lead after two minutes, Danny Purdie and Phil Jones combining only to see the home keeper save Jones shot. Jones should have put Gresford in front two minutes later when he fired wide from a great Dave Lloyd cross. Gresford did take the lead in the sixth minute. Dave Lloyd and Simon Holloway creating a chance for Danny Purdie which he fired home from the edge of the box. Gresford were well on top at this point and Chirk were very fortunate that they were not reduced to ten men when there keeper went full length to handle outside the penalty area to stop Danny Purdie in full flight. Out of the blue Chirk equalized, a poor header by Wyn Jones leading to the goal. Gareth Rowland in the Gresford goal then prevented Chirk taking the lead with a fine smothering save on thirty minutes. Three minutes later Gresford went ahead again, Phil Jones firing a free kick home from thirty yards. A short corner by Gresford almost produced another goal but Hugh Jones shot found the side netting.

Half time: Chirk AAA 1 Gresford Athletic 2

Half time: Chirk AAA 1 Gresford Athletic 2
The second half started even with both sides creating half chances. Chirk equalized on eighty minutes after slack marking in the Gresford defence. This seemed to spur an inapt Gresford into life and Phil Jones almost put them ahead again with a header from a great Shaun Williams ball. Jon Ratcliffe then tested the Chirk keeper after being set up by substitute Alan Williams but the Chirk keeper was well placed to save. Gresford almost sealed the game in the last minute, another fine Shaun Williamd ball headed goalwards by Jon Ratcliffe only for the Chirk keeper to go full length to turn the ball round the post.

FULL TIME: CHIRK AAA 2 GRESFORD ATHLETIC 2

Gresford looked the stronger of the two teams at the start of extra time with Chirk fitness fading. Jon Ratcliffe came nearest to breaking the deadlock when he won the ball in the Chirk area but his cross shot hit the outside of the post. Six minutes into the extra period Gresford went ahead, a long ball upfield by keeper Rowland found Phil Jones who lobbed the advancing keeper. Three minutes Gresford killed the tie off with fourth goal created by Jon Ratcliffe and scored by Andy Hughes. Wyn Jones then almost scored the goal of the season beating five players in a mazy run but instead of shooting his passed to brother Hugh who fired wide.

HALF TIME EXTRA TIME: CHIRK AAA 2 GRESFORD ATHLETIC 4

Gresford's superior fitness was now very evident and they created and missed at least six chances in the second period of extra time with Phil Jones missing the chance to come away with a well deserved hat trick. Rowland in the Gresford goal still had to make a double save in the last minute to prevent Chirk reducing the deficit.

Not the best of performances but as the saying goes “its results that count”

FINAL SCORE: CHIRK AAA 2 GRESFORD ATHLETIC 4


TEAM: 1. Gareth Rowland (7) 2. Hugh Jones (6) 3. Dave Lloyd (6) 4. Wyn Jones (6) 5. Mike Gronnow (7) 6. Carl Andrews (6) 7. Jon Ratcliffe (8) 8. Simon Holloway (6) 9. Danny Purdie (8) 10. Phil Jones (6) 11. Shaun Williams (7) 12. Andy Hughes (for Simon Holloway) 14. Luke Peate (for Jon Ratcliffe) 15. Alan Williams (for Danny Purdie)

MOM. DANNY PURDIE