BRYMBO 2
CORWEN 2
(Corwen won 4-3 on penalties)
SPOT-ON Corwen are just a couple of wins away from securing a spot of silverware.
Last season’s runners-up are through to the semi-finals of the Wrexham Area League Premier Division Cup on the back of a thrilling last-eight triumph at Brymbo.
The strong wind was a big feature of the tie.
Early on, Craig Griffiths’ free kick for Brymbo from the edge of the centre circle caught the breeze and forced Corwen keeper Nathan Aldridge to tip it over.
Corwen were forced into an early substitution, as James Davies was replaced by Tomos Hughes after he suffered a rib injury.
The change proved to be a master stroke as Hughes gave Corwen the lead, netting from close range after Andrew Roberts played in a quality cross.
Corwen could have made it 2-0 before the break, but Ryan Billington’s strike was cleared off the line by Stewart Parry.
The tie was back in the balance in the second period when Gareth Roberts netted
Corwen’s hopes of progress were further hit when they were reduced to 10 men after Tom Matischok received two bookings in the space of seven minutes.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Corwen were the next to strike through Wil Roberts, following good work by Tom Hughes.
It was 10-against-10 when Brymbo had a player sent off.
Gareth Roberts picked up his second yellow card for pushing a Corwen player.
Both sides created further chances, but Brymbo were handed a golden opportunity to level the tie in the last minute.
Corwen felt that Elystan Hughes won the ball in a challenge on Craig Griffiths, however the official decided otherwise and pointed to the spot.
Rene Pinard scored the penalty, but there was still time for another chance in normal time, only for Andrew Roberts to fire wide.
Chances were few and far between in extra time, although Tom Hughes did go close to clinching it for the visitors.
The penalty shootout was a dramatic affair, which appeared to be going one way and then the other.
Successful efforts from Ryan Billington, Elfyn Roberts and Aled Roberts had Corwen on the cusp of victory, but Tom Hughes saw his vital fifth spot kick saved as the shootout went into sudden death.
Goalkeeper Dan Billington took Brymbo’s sixth penalty, only for Nathan Aldridge to make a brilliant stop to keep it out.
There was a bit of an argument between Aldridge and Elystan Hughes over who was going to take the next spot kick.
It was Hughes who took the ball and drove the winning penalty into the bottom corner of the net.