Corwen made the trip to Berriew Recreation Ground on a chilly Friday evening to take on Berriew for the second time this season, with the reverse of this game providing a 5-4 thriller with Corwen winning thanks to the odd goal in nine. Corwen’s last visit to this ground was on the opening day of the 2019/20 season when they ran out 2-0 winners in the Nathaniel MG Cup.

In the eleventh minute Corwen goalkeeper Nathan Aldridge came sprinting off his line to defend his goal and won with the ball after a sliding challenge. The ball went into the path of Berriew player, who looped the ball back into the danger area, where Nathan was scrambling back towards his line and had the misfortune of slipping; however he recovered well to push a shot from Edward Baker wide of the post.

Nathan was in the thick of the action again when the ball was lifted into the penalty area, where Richard Davies got a shot away; however Nathan was able to make a save.

The home side found the back of the net in the twenty second minute as Corwen gave the ball away, leading to Joe Haycock slotting the ball away; however the goal was disallowed as the offside flag was raised.

Goal

With thirty-four minutes on the clock a free kick was played into the Corwen box, which Nathan came out to collect; however he was unable keep hold of it as it slipped from his grasp and bounced into the path of Joe Haycock who had a tap in to break the deadlock.

Goal

In the closing stages of the half the visitors failed to clear their lines, allowing their hosts to hit them on the break, with Steffan Rogers running down the wing and when he got into position he played the ball across the box and into the path of Edward Baker, who made no mistake at the far post to double his sides advantage.

Half Time

The away side made a couple of changes during the break in a bid to get back into the game, as Tomos Hughes and Owen Cordiner entered the field of play.

Corwen had a positive start to the second period, as Owen Cordiner ran with the ball before playing it back to James Davies, who unleashed a shot at goal from distance, which went narrowly wide of the target.

Goal

A few minutes later the Corwen players were screaming for a foul; however the referee was not of the same opinion, allowing Berriew to attack a stretched Corwen defence with Richard Davies playing in Steffan Rogers, who firstly took on Adam Haywood and after seeing of his challenge he was met by Nathan Aldridge, and after getting around him he slotted the ball into an unguarded net. The goal was a real sucker punch for the men in red and black, who had looked more competitive in the early stages of the second half.

Jonathan Jones had an audacious attempt at the Corwen goal as he tried his luck from way out; however Nathan was on hand to tip the ball over the bar and he was called upon again from the corner as he made another good save.

Goal

Just before the hour mark Joe Haycock played the ball across the Corwen box to his strike partner Richard Davies, who was standing in space at the far post where he diverted the ball into the back of the net for his side’s fourth goal of the evening.

The away side went in search of a consolation goal as Owen Cordiner shot at goal; however he could only bring a good save out of Ryan Edkins.

A few minutes later the ball was played across to Tomos Hughes, but he could only send his shot narrow over the bar.

Goal

With quarter of an hour to goal the men in blue attacked their counterparts down the wing and one of their players played the ball across the box, where it hit a Corwen defender and went in off the post for the home side’s fifth goal.

Goal

Despite the healthy lead the home side did not take their foot off the accelerator and Steffan Rogers played the ball through the middle, where it was collected by Joe Haycock, who was able to put the ball just inside the post.

Goal

Joe Haycock was able to complete his hat-trick as he collected the ball from Norton Collins and played the ball home for his side’s seventh goal of the day.

In the closing stages Ryan Billington was able to collect a cross and his shot was heading for the bottom corner; however Ryan Edkins was able to pull off a good save.

Gavin Billington

Match preview

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Competition

League position