Football: Glan Conwy FC handed home draw in last eight

Nov 25 2010

THE draw for the quarter- finals of the FAW Welsh Trophy has thrown up a chance of possible revenge for holders Glan Conwy.

The Welsh Alliance villagers have landed a home tie against either Cardiff Hibernian or Ragged School, the four-time Trophy winners who knocked Glan out of the competition at the same stage in 2008/09 after a penalty shoot out (8-7).

With the Trophy being down to the last eight teams, Monday’s draw in Cardiff was open but all four North Wales sides remaining in the tournament secured home advantage.

Conwy United will host Swansea Dockers at Y Morfa, Holywell Town entertain New Inn or Carnetown and Llanfairpwll will welcome either Pontyclun or Ton and Gelli.

All ties are due to take place on February 12.

"At this stage we’re just glad to get a home draw," said Glan Conwy secretary Barry Thomas.

"We won’t know until the weekend which team we’ll play, but we do owe Ragged School one after they beat us at this stage two years ago in a penalty shootout at Cae Ffwt."

Saturday saw Glan make it through to the quarter-finals for the third year running by beating Welsh National League (Wrexham area) battlers Coedpoeth United 4-3 after extra time.

Glan’s bright start was ruined on eight minutes by an own goal, but the hosts fought back and were denied several times by visiting keeper Neil Griffiths.

Gaz Davies also hit the bar, then Andy Booker headed wide from a good position, followed by Nathan Jones having his close range effort ruled out for offside.

Jonathan Turner was unlucky not to be given a penalty when he was brought down, but at the other end Aaron Peel twice denied the impressive Kevin Breeze in one-on-one situations.

Trailing 1-0 at the interval, Glan knew they needed a strong start to the second stanza and on 51 minutes Tom Rooney made a good break from defence and his fine cross was headed home by Booker at the far post.

Just five minutes later, with Glan Conwy looking for the linesman’s flag to go up, Matthew Thomas slotted home to put Coedpoeth ahead again, but back came the hosts and on 71 minutes Booker levelled from the edge of the area.

Booker had a penalty opportunity to clinch the match but saw it saved by Griffiths, so it was 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes.

Into extra time, and on 104 minutes Glan captain Shaun Shannon rifled home from a goalmouth scramble to give his team the lead for the first time in the match.

Shannon was then was just wide with a 30-yard effort, James Hobson had a volley well saved and Nathan Jones had another goal disallowed before a stunning 30-yard strike from hat- trick hero Booker made it 4-2.

With just six minutes left the visitors’ keeper Griffiths went up for a corner and scored with a header to reduce the arrears.

This made for a tense last few minutes, which saw Coedpoeth have two players sent off, and a couple of dubious offside decisions by the linesman costing Glan more goals.

Secretary Thomas hailed a fine display from Glan which came on the back of disappointing league defeats to neighbours Conwy United and Llandudno Junction.

"It was a very good performance, with plenty of passion and commitment that wasn’t evident in the two previous games," he added.