N.E.W.F.A. HORACE WYNNE CUP QUARTER FINAL

GRESFORD ATH 0 BRICKFIELD 0 AET

GRESFORD WIN 4-2 ON PENS

By gosh we make life hard for ourselves and it certainly was not vintage Gresford at Costa Clappers Lane where we all basked in 20 degrees heat.

We have all enjoyed the heaps of praise the side have had in recent weeks but this display was nothing short of bloody awful and I remain convinced there would not be one player willing to put up their hand and say ”Not me Guv, I played OK”.

There were two exceptions and they were Pricey and Cap'n Courageous Paul Chaloner but even he lack the normal spring in the step.

I will be bold enough to suggest that Robbie, The Cargo-Keeno Twins and GPJ are the best midfield in the league but they were all out of sorts together and rarely troubled a young and talented Brickfield with Gaz and Rob spending more time in our half than theirs.

It would be too easy to say we had too many players missing because stand in's Craig Trow at centre back and Birko at fullback did OK.

I think Frank from the Plough could have played in goal for both sides and have kept a clean sheet and there was barely a shot on goal in 90 mins.

In extra time though Mikey Platt did pull off a finger tip save from Chris Hughes and Keeno should have done better with a close range header.

In the penalty shoot out that followed enter centre stage Mike “The Cat” Price. He saved from Darren Jones and Paddy Partington and then converted one himself. Credit must go to Rob, Broady and Sooty who did make penalty taking look easy which makes up for last season's pantomime penalty shoot out against Corwen.

So yes – we live to fight another day and I will concede even teams at the very highest of levels have their off days !!!

TWA Tea Award Paul Chaloner

Team: 1. Mike Price (8) 2. Huw Birkhead (6) 3. Paul Chaloner (7) 4. Graham Sutcliffe (6) 5. Craig Trow (6) 6. Rob Jones (6) 7. Paul Jones (6) 8. Gaz Pugh Jones (6) 9. Richie Carr (6) 10. Owen Roberts (6) 11. Chris Broadirst (6) SUBS: 12. Chris Hughes (6) 14. Ady Roberts – 15.Ant McAlister (6)

MOM MIKE PRICE