The last Saturday in January saw the last two winners of the Welsh National League Premier Division go head to head. The previous meeting of the side’s was at Buckley in N.E.W.F.A. Cup earlier this season, with three goals in a mad four minutes at the end of the first half contributing towards a four-nil win for the hosts.

The Corwen starting line-up included a number of new faces as well as one old one, as Sam Tyrer, Gwydion Ifan and Keighan Jones all made their debuts and 2018/19 top scorer Sam Henry was making his first appearance since completing his transfer back form Blacon Youth.

Early on in the game Corwen’s Dale Davies was busting a gut as he ran down the wing with the ball to get into a position to cross the ball across the eighteen yard box, where Sam Henry ran to get his toe to the ball, which pulled a good save out of keeper Josef Makaruk. The rebound fell into the path of Gwydion Ifan, who could only send his shot wide of the target.

At the Corwen end Samuel Spridgeon was able to get past Adam Williams with the ball and bend his run to take him to the edge of the D, where he curled a shot at goal, but he could only pull a save out of Keighan Jones.

Goal

The deadlock was broken in the fourteenth minute, when Keighan Jones came off his line to meet a back pass, but he made a mess of the clearance under pressure from Samuel Spridgeon, who was able to get round Keighan with the ball and fire it into an unguarded net.

The home side went in search of an equaliser as Gwydion Ifan looped the ball forward, which Sam Henry was able to run onto as just about managed to stay onside, but he could only force a great save out of oncoming goalkeeper Josef Makaruk.

Aron Williams looked to double his side’s advantage as he collected the ball in space on the edge of the D, but he pinged his shot wide of the D.

Five minutes before the break a corner was played into the Buckley Town box, where it was met by the head of Ryan Billington, who could only send his effort narrowly wide of the target.

Half Time

In the second half Aron Williams sprinted at goal with the ball, but he sent his powerful shot over the bar.

Gwydion Ifan looked to get a debut goal as he run at Rhys Hewitt with the ball before unlashing a shot at goal, which went wide of the far post.

The home side had a penalty shout when Dale Davies was brought down in the penalty area, but despite the Corwen players being adamant that he was fouled the referee waved away the penalty claims.

Goal

As the game entered the final five minutes a great ball was played forward to Sam Henry, who ran on to it and found the top corner of the net with a brilliant quick fire finish from the eighteen yard line.

The home side went in search of a winner as a cross was played into the Buckley box, but Josef Makaruk was able to win the aerial battle with Ioz Jones.

In the second minute of stoppage the away side were awarded a free kick in line with the corner of the box, which Jake Roberts was given the responsibility of taking and his effort went beyond the reach of Keighan Jones, but smashed against the far post. After hitting the post the rebound was headed at goal by another Buckley player; however Keighan Jones was able catch the ball.

In ninety-sixth minute Jake Roberts took another free kick, which this time clipped the wall and went out for a corner. From the corner the ball Lewis Hone was able to get his head to the ball, but Keighan Jones pulled off a brilliant fingertip save to ensure the spoils were shared.

Gavin Billington

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