DRUID SPORTS & LEISURE WELSH NATIONAL
DIVISION ONE LEAGUE CUP FINAL

CHIRK AAA RES 1 GRESFORD ATHLETIC RESERVES 3
(after extra time)

What a terrific end to our season we are having and the 3-1 league cup final success we achieved against Chirk AAA's Reserves at the Bont eclipsed anything the Reserves have achieved in over a decade.

It was a case of bouncing back to winning ways after the midweek debacle against Rhos Aelwyd and despite needing extra time to clinch the tie, the win was worth waiting for and savoured by the largest crowd we have played in front for some considerable time and in the case of Richard Carr, the celebrations went on to 4:30am on Sunday morning.

There was much pondering about team selection but when you walk away with the silverware, Ady and Big Sam not little Sam got it just about right and must be applauded for making some brave decisions. 

Gresford bossed the early exchanges and took a deserved 12 th minute lead. Gaz Pugh-Jones fed Broady who beat two defenders to rifle home a fiercely struck low shot past the diving Carl Parish. The goal seemed to stun Chirk, and they offered very little in response with Pricey merely a spectator for the remainder of the half. 

Mark Holmes did rally his Chirk troops after the break and they had two good chances to get back on level terms first through Ian Baker and then closely followed by striker Jason Lightwood.

Parrish had to deny Matt Davies's dipping shot and Huw Jones who had come on for a tiring Darren Jones also went close.

Tempers flared around the 70 minute mark, with Chirk's Ian Richards receiving a straight red after an off the ball incident involving himself and Steve Halliwell.

Ady went on to make two more subs with Owen Roberts coming on for Matt and then he pushed Robbie into attack in replace of Broady enabling Sooty to come in at fullback.

Seconds after asking the linesman how long to go, Chris Evans much against the run of play beat Pricey on 81 minutes and came back off the crossbar and a flat footed defence watched the ball falling at the feet of the in-rushing Stu Bellingham who fired home from six yards out against his former club.  Despite being down to 10 men, Chirk finished the stronger and we were happy to hear the full time whistle. 

In the first period of extra time,  Hugh Jones was given oceans of room to restore our advantage following some slack marking he drilled the ball past Parrish from a full 25 yards. Minutes later, Hughie notched again in a carbon copy of his first goal, firing home a low drive after making the opening himself.

Chirk were drained and had no answer and the double salvo from Hugh gave us a great lift as we just played out time but in the dying seconds, Keano hit the upright and also fired wide with Parrish stranded.

It was an all round great team display but with several players worth singling out, all of our defenders were in tip top form, Rob raided the right flank well, Haggis and Luke were immaculate and Chal once again was as brave as a lion.

Broady's opener was another touch of class and Matt as always ran himself to the ground.

Man of the match for an extremely mature performance was Steve Halliwell.

Team:- Mike Price (7) 2. Rob Jones (8) 3. Paul Chaloner (7) 4. Steve Halliwell (9) 5. Luke Peate (8) 6. Gaz Pugh-Jones (7) 7. Richie Carr (7) 8. Paul Jones (7) 9. Darren Jones (7) 10. Chris Broadhirst (8) 11. Matt Davies (7) Subs:- 12. Graham Sutcliffe (7) 14. Hugh Jones (8) 15. Owen Roberts (7)