Match Report
Corwen 2 V Bonymaen Colts 2 AET (Corwen won 4-3 on penalties)
FAW Welsh Trophy Quarter Final 16/02/08
Man of the match: Richard Bodden
Corwen’s South Walien opponents have a great fashion sense, as not only did they play in an identical red kit to the first teams (The rulebook for the Welsh Trophy states that the home side must change colours when there is a kit clash), they also had tracksuits of the exact same design as those being used by many of Corwen’s players and committee members.
A P.A. system was set up for the game, which enabled the lads to walk out to Men of Harlech (much to Andy’s disappointment, as he wanted to walk out to ACDC’s Thunderstruck). Unfortunately due to a mix up the teams came out separately, as the initial plan was for them to walk out together.
Corwen had scored 14 goals in the previous 3 rounds of this competition, while Bonymaen had scored 17, so it wasn’t surprising when Eilir opened the scoring within the opening 10 minutes with his 13th goal of the season. An equaliser wasn’t long in coming either, as Bonymaen were awarded a free kick near the edge of the box. The ball was placed into the path of one of Bonymaen’s strikers, who placed the ball into the back of the net.
Both side’s played good counterattacking football throughout the game, enabling both teams to create several chances. However neither side was able to add to their goals tally in normal time.
Corwen got off to the best possible start in extra time, as Andy scored from pretty much the first attack. Andy placed a clever shot just beyond the keepers’ reach for his 18th gaol in 22 games, which sparked a mass celebration just outside the away side’s box, involving every member of the home side apart from goalkeeper Nathan.
However Bonymaen striker Lee Johnson ensured Corwen’s celebrations were short lived, as he equalised before the end of the first half of extra time.
Both side’s managed to create chances in the second half of extra time, and Corwen may have scored on the counterattack, as Bonymaen threw a lot of players forward for a free kick, but one of the remaining defenders took out the Corwen attacker, with no attempt to get the ball, and received a deserved booking.
With neither side scoring again it went to the lottery of penalties. Bonymaen opted to take the first penalty, and sent Nathan the wrong way. Player manger Richie took Corwen’s first, and left the keeper with no chance. Bonymaen’s next penalty taker also sent Nathan the wrong way, but Mark equalised with his penalty, which again left the Bonymaen keeper with no chance of saving it. The away side’s third penalty was a poor attempt, and Nathan easily saved it. Eilir then gave the home side the lead with another good penalty, only for the lead to be pegged back again by Bonymaen’s next attempt. James restored Corwen’s lead with another perfectly taken penalty, but it was Nathan who emerged as the hero of the shootout again, as he saved another poorly taken penalty to send the first team into their third semi-final of the season.
Gavin Billington
