Football: Late Trophy final heartbreak for Conwy United FC

Apr 21 2011

CONWY UNITED 2 HOLYWELL TOWN 3

HAS a cup final ever had a more heartbreaking ending than the one Conwy United suffered in Saturday’s FAW Welsh Trophy showpiece at Rhyl?

Leading 2-0 going into the 90th minute at Belle Vue, the Musselmen looked absolute certs to win a cup they had last lifted in 1982, but Holywell produced the most stunning of comebacks by converting two penalties and then adding a winner in the fourth minute of injury time.

Two former League of Wales clubs who now ply their trade in Welsh Alliance Division One came into Saturday’s final in fine form.

United took the lead on 17 minutes. Town conceded a free-kick just outside the area and 40-goal top scorer Toby Jones was stood behind it.

Everyone expected him to shoot, but he drove the ball along the deck and centre-back Chris Quinn was first to react and beat Wellmen keeper David Walsh.

Holywell’s John Haseldin was unfortunate not to level as he had three efforts cleared off the line in a goalmouth scramble before the break.

After the interval Tangerines keeper Danny Stanton came into his own, producing a series of fine stops.

Wayne Edwards thought he had beaten Conwy’s custodian, but somehow the experienced glovesman managed to knock the ball round the post with an outstretched hand.

United’s shot-stopper was called into impressive action again from a Steve Thomas free-kick.

Paul Cassidy went close to doubling Conwy’s lead as his chip was only a fraction too high before Thomas again found Stanton on top form.

With Holywell pressing for the equaliser, Conwy grabbed what they thought was a decisive second goal five minutes from time.

Cassidy broke free and even though he took a blow to his face, stayed on his feet and his cross was turned into his own net by Tony Hogan.

What happened in the next few minutes defied belief. Holywell kept the pressure on and a shot from just inside the area was going in until Conwy’s Mark Orme handled on the line and was sent off by referee Mike Jones.

Thomas stepped up to take the spot- kick and shot past Stanton to put the Wellmen back in it.

The assistant referee displayed there would be five minutes of added time and Holywell were then given a second penalty after Quinn was adjudged to have pushed Sam Jones.

Thomas went straight down the middle to give Stanton no chance.

With four minutes of the five played, Conwy were dealt the most gut- wrenching of blows as a goalmouth scramble saw Hogan turn from villain to hero to poke the ball home for the winner.