Penycae Football Club C.I.C.

The quarter final draw pitted first v second in the league as we headed to top of the table Holywell Town. The squad was down to the bare bones, so much that manager Gavin Bowen had to dust the boots off and make an appearance at right back!

The character of the team made sure nobody was effected by the limited numbers, but we struggled to get into any rhythm in the opening exchanges before falling behind to a penalty on 14 minutes, which Ben Darlington in goal got a hand to but was unable to keep it out.

After a frantic start when we could keep possession we started to get control in midfield and the impressive Morgan Daykin and Tom Edwards caused problems with their pace. The chances started to come with Edwards seeing his effort go agonisingly over before Kian Davies latched on to a front post cross and his effort trickled wide. A few chances followed but we went in the break 1-0 down.

Second half and it only took a few minutes before we drew level as Josh Mazzarella pinged a pass wide for Morgan Daykin who out muscled the Holywell centre half before drilling his shot under the keeper. Having the bit between our teeth now we took the game to Holywell and within seven minutes we went ahead as Ben Richards set Kian Davies free down the right as he rounded the full back to square the ball for Tom Edwards to tap home.

The tide had turned now and on we extended our lead 62 minutes as a perfectly delivered corner by Harry Bowen was met at the back post by Aaron Jones. The remaining 30 minutes was managed superbly by the team as we restricted Holywell to nothing more than shots from distance as we launched counter attacks and had it not been for some dubious offsides we could have extended our lead.

The challenge was to be in the next round by 17:00 and that's what the boys delivered. Even with a 38 year old full back the average age of the squad was 19 and with lads returning from injury and other commitments after xmas the league should heat up as we try and claw the five points difference back on Holywell.