Match Report
Ragged School 3 V Corwen 3 AET (Corwen won 3-2 on penalties)
FAW Welsh Trophy Semi Final 15/03/08
Man of the match: Dewi Edwards
The first team faced South Walien opponents for the second time this season in their first of 3 semi finals. The venue for this match was Leauge of Wales side Newtown’s Lantham Park. There was always likely to be plenty of goals in this encounter, as the two side’s had scored 46 goal between them so far in the competition.
Corwen dominated the first half, playing some great football on a heavy pitch. They created a number of great chances, but failed to find the back of the net, as they were often frustrated by Ragged keeper Richard Evans, who put on a great display in goal.
Things could have been different though, as Gethin honestly attempted a shot on goal while being brought down in the box, had he gone straight down Corwen could have been awarded a penalty. Andy was also clean through on goal, but was Adamant that he wasn’t offside. However Ragged School were also centimetres away from being awarded a penalty themselves, as Paul brought the defender down, but the Ref, after checking the markings on the pitch, judged that the contact was just outside the box.
It looked like it could have been one of those days for Corwen, as they continued to create chances at the start of the second half, but found themselves behind, as a Ragged forward flicked the ball from a long throw onto the head of another Ragged player, leaving Nathan with no chance of making a save. However Corwen found themselves level 2 minutes later as they were awarded a penalty, and Eilir made no mistake from 12 yards out.
Ragged school could have been reduced to ten men, as James was head butted, but the officials missed the incident, and James was booked for his reaction to the offence. However the player in question was eventually given his marching orders, as he received his second booking for pulling back a Corwen player.
Corwen eventually took a deserved lead, as Andy, who has a knack of scoring key goals for Corwen, buried his first clear-cut chance of the game into the top corner of the net. However Corwen continued to put their supporters through a roller coaster of emotions, as James, who about to be substituted, gave away a penalty. The Ragged school striker left Nathan with absolutely no chance, as he hit a brilliant penalty.
The first period of extra time started with a fairly negative display from Corwen, with much of the play taking place in and around their box, but Ragged school failed to create any real goal scoring opportunities. Corwen grew stronger as the half went on, but failed to take advantage of their extra man.
Corwen were the stronger team in the second half too, as they kept Ragged’s chances to a minimum, and created a number themselves. They took the lead from the corner, as Ioan chose a great time to score his first Corwen goal. With only 3 minutes left on the clock it looked as if Corwen had booked their place in the final, but a mix up in the box led to a Ragged school equaliser.
Things didn’t look good for Corwen, as they the players were likely to have their heads down going into the shootout. Eilir didn’t help matters, as he sent his spot kick over the bar, and Ragged scored their first pen. However Mark kept his perfect shoot out record for the season going, only for Ragged to take the lead again.
Things looked grim as Richard Evans saved Ryan’s penalty, but the South walien side failed to take advantage with their pen. It was Déjà vu as Elfyn missed his pen, only for Ragged to miss again, with Nathan appearing to have hurt his hand in making the save. Fortunately Iwan made no mistake with his attempt, but things didn’t looked good for Corwen, as Ragged’s penalty scorer from Normal time stood up, but he ensured Eilir wasn’t the only player to score a pen in the game and miss in the shootout, and sent the shootout into sudden death.
Andy bravely stepped up to take the next pen, and left the keeper with no chance as he sent his shot into the top corner.
Nathan proved to be the hero again, as he saved the next penalty, making it the third the third time this season his save had won Corwen a shootout. Corwen will now face fellow Welsh National League side Rhos Aelwyd in the final on April the 12th at a venue that is yet to be decided.
Gavin Billington
