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Penrhyncoch started the brighter of the two sides and with the advantage of the slope took the game to Gresford from the start. The forced a series of early corners and hit the post with a close range header. Gresford weathered the storm and gradually got into the game. On twenty minutes Gresford has a strong appeal for a penalty turned down, Phil Jones cut in from the right and his shot appeared to be blocked by a Penrhyncoch defenders raised arm. Penrhyncoch then broke down the right and a good cross was headed over the bar with Matt Williams doing well to challenge the Penrhyncoch striker. Williams could have been dismissed in the next Penrhyn attack as he was adjudged to have fouled their striker when he was the last player. In Gresford next attack they almost took the lead a good ball from Alan Williams found Simon Holloway and played the ball on to Phil Jones who's goal bound shot was deflected for a corner. From the corner the ball was played from Jon Ratcliffe to Alan Williams and his shot bought a good save from the home keeper. Shaun Williams had to be alert to thwart the next Penrhyncoch attack as he headed clear when under pressure. Five minutes later the home side went ahead . A good passing move saw their striker race into the Gresford penalty area and he beat the advancing Rowland in the Gresford goal. The remainder of the half was cat and mouse with both sides making and missing chances. A great run and cross down the right by Chris Newman almost produced a deserved equaliser with Simon Holloway and Phil Jones both seeing their goal bound shots blocked. Gresford bossed the last ten minutes of the half and efforts by Dave Lloyd (a header saved) and Hugh Jones (twenty five yarder over the bar) almost brought a deserved equaliser.
HALF TIME: PENRHYNCOCH 1 GRESFORD ATHLETIC 0 Gresford started the second half on the attack but could not penetrate a stubborn home defence. A Hugh Jones Free kick almost brought the equaliser. Penrhyncoch came nearest to a goal when Gareth Rowland in the Gresford goal was forced to turn the ball round the post. In the next Gresford attack a long kick by Rowland put Simon Holloway in the clear but he could only force a corner which came to nothing. Shaun Williams made a timely interception in the next Penrhycoch attack. Penrhyncoch went two up in their next attack when a ball into the Gresford area found an unmarked striker who volleyed home from twelve yards. Gresford game then fell apart for ten minutes as they failed to keep the ball and reverted to playing long balls which were over hit and did not give the Penrhyncoch defence any problems. Hugh Jones let his frustration get the better of him as be was booked for a late tackle and could have got a second within minutes if the referee had adjudged his next tackle to be a bookable offence. He was replaced by Paul Chaloner before he did received a second yellow card with Shaun Williams moving into midfield. Danny Purdie also replaced Dave Lloyd with Phil Jones reverting to the left plank as Gresford went looking for the goal to get them back into the game. Purdie almost created that goal with a pass to Holloway that beat the Penrhyn off side trap, Holloway rounded the home keeper but instead of firing home hesitated and allowed a defender to get back and block his shot on the line. With Gresford taking risks at the back to try and get back into the game Gareth Rowland in the Gresford goal twice had to pull off smothering saves to prevent Penrhyn going three up. Jon Ratcliffe was the next to almost create a deserved Gresford goal, his run down the right and square ball was intercepted by a home defender when a goal looked odds on. With time running out Ratcliffe then tried his luck from Twenty five yards but his effort was well over the bar. FINAL SCORE: PENRHYNCOCH 2 GRESFORD ATHLETIC 0 TEAM: 1. Gareth Rowland (7) 2. Shaun Williams (2) 3. Chris Newman (7) 4. Matt Williams (7) 5. MIKE GRONNOW (8) 6. Alan Williams (6) 7. Simon Holloway (6) 8. Phil Jones (6) 9. Hugh Jones (6) 10. Jon Ratcliffe (7) 11. Dave Lloyd (6) Subs: 12. Danny Purdie (for Dave Lloyd) 14. Paul Chaloner (for Hugh Jones) 15. Kevin Todd MOM MIKE GRONNOW |
