Match Report
Corwen 2 V Gresford Athletic 1
N.E.W.F.A Challenge Cup Quarterfinal - 09/02/08
Man of the match: Iwan Jones
This Quarterfinal was the first teams third meeting with higher league opposition this season. It was also the third time that they had met the previous years finalists or holders in a cup completion, after meeting League cup holders Cefn United and Welsh trophy finalist Glan Conwy earlier in the season.
Nathan returned between the posts for the first time this year, after Paul Williams had stood in for him in the previous 3 matches. The playing conditions were good, as it was a sunny day, and their was a cool breeze, and the pitch, although a little bobbly, was in good condition, allowing both sides to play good football throughout the game.
Corwen started the game well, and took the lead within 3 minutes, after a brilliant pass to Gethin, who was in acres of space, and beat the keeper in a one on one. The home side continued to create chances, and went close to adding to their lead on a few occasions. But it was Iwan who gave Corwen a deserved two-goal lead, scoring his 9th goal of the season, and his 3rd in as many games.
Things could have been very different though, as before Iwan scored Gresford managed to get the ball into the back of the net. After being awarded a free kick, the away side cleverly put together a number of short passes instead of going straight for the goal. However their clever play was not rewarded with a goal, as the player who had the final touch was judged to be offside.
The second half saw an improved display from Gresford, as much of the play was in and around Corwen’s penalty area, but a strong defensive display limited the away side to only a few clear chances.
Gresford pulled a goal back when a scramble in the box resulted in Paul Jones knocking the ball into his own net. This lead to a nervy last 20 minutes for the home side, with Gresford’s often creating chances from long throws. Luckily for Corwen the rec is quite a big pitch, as it is easy to imagine that the long throws would cause havoc in Gresford’s oppositions defence on a smaller pitch. The away side came closest to scoring when Nathan tipped the ball onto the crossbar, only for the ball to rebound onto the head of an attacker, and sailed over the bar.
Referee Martin Collaby had a good game, as he only reached into his pocket once. Another ref may have got their cards out on a number of occasions, as a number of players were left on the ground after being on the receiving end of a tough tackle, and a mini brawl erupted between a few of the players. The only booking came shortly after Gresford scored; as a frustrated Richard Bodden timed his tackle so poorly he was almost in a different time zone to his opponent.
Richie is likely to be having a word with lads though, as despite beating higher league opposition, they only managed to score two goals for the second game in a row.
The win books Corwen’s place in a second semi-final of the season, the furthest the side have gone in this completion, and they will be hoping to make it three out of four with victory over Bonymaen colts, which would be their 11th victory in a row should they be successful.
Gavin Billington
