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Return to Fixtures and Results GRESFORD ATHLETIC RESERVES 2 PENYFFORD 1 Horace Wynne Challenge Cup Well what is the most important thing in Cup football ? Even the most honest of pundits would confirm it is the result first and then and only then, how it was achieved. Taking the second part first and the first part second, this wasn't Gresford at our best but yes, we are through to the next round of the Horace Wynne Cup and we have stretched our unbeaten record to 5 games. Competition rules forced us to make several changes, the Jones Bros Huw and Wyn plus Matt Davies and Luke Peate were all ineligible so back came Owen Roberts, Robbie, Sooty, Gaz Pugh Jones and Huw Birkdale in a reshuffled side. The first 20 minutes was real cat and mouse stuff, Broady and Robbie were not 100% fit and it showed, Daz took an early knock and Keeno was caught on the ankle making a last ditch interception and when Chal was grounded with a crunching tackle we really did know it was game on. Not that Penyfford were a dirty side, far from it but we all knew we had been in a game. There was a touch of luck about our opening goal on 32 minutes and some very poor defending let in Owen Roberts who finished like a true veteran and he made a difficult job look easy. Richie and Keeno were bossing the midfield but we created just a handful of half chances prior to the break when the visitors levelled with the last kick of the half and it was an excellent piece of finishing from Chris Jones when he converted from close range a high lofted cross from the right. Darren had limped off by then and was replaced by Gareth Pugh Jones and Robbie had a reoccurrence of his groin strain and gave his shirt to Hughesy on the hour mark who made an immediate impression “he is spraying the ball around like David Beckham” I heard Bernie Simon quip. It was great to see Hughsey bag the winning goal but he obviously is not used to scoring as he had forgotten how to celebrate but gladly he had a smile on him as big as Broad Street . Pick of the bunch was Craig in goal and he made several important saves at crucial moments. Haggis defended well again, Matt's distribution is far beyond Division One standard and Keeno and Rich caught the eye. In the post match exclusive interview Ady was incredibly upbeat. “Cup football is a great leveller, just look at the other results today. We have kept our discipline, showed much resolve and come away with a result that books us a Round 2 passage. I think Trowie just shaded the vote for man of the match, his handling was excellent again, his kicking was long and accurate and three brave saves in particular were real class.” MOM Craig Trow TWA – Tea Award Chris Hughes You had to be in the changing rooms to understand why the voting went this way but his bad taste is Welsh Boxer shorts did have something to do with it. Team: 1. Craig Trow (9) 2. Matt Williams (7) 3. Steve Sutcliffe (7) 4. Steve Halliwell (7) 5. Paul Chaloner (7) 6. Robbie Jones (7) 7. Richie Carr (8) 8. Paul Jones (8) 9. Darren Jones (7) 10. Chris Broadhurst (7) 11. Owen Roberts (7) SUBS:- 12. Chris Hughes (7) 14. Gaz Pugh-Jones (7) 15. Huw Birkdale (7)
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