Queens Park 5 - 3 Rhos Aelwyd (After Extra Time)

What can only be described as a thriller of a Welsh Trophy cup tie, Rhos were very unfortunate to go out to Welsh National League Premier division league leaders Queens Park
As expected Queens Park did have a lot of the ball for the opening stage of the game but Rhos Aelwyd were in tremendous form, they competed for every ball and put their bodies on the line for every shot and every 50/50. Rhos began to settle in the game and had their fair share of the ball and it became a tight affair with QP becoming frustrated.
it was Rhos who had the opening goal with 3 quick passes which opened the QP defence and put Josh Rush through on goal and he calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner. 1-0
It was soon to be 2-0 when James Haynes free kick was superbly executed over the wall and into the top corner leaving the keeper with no chance. It will surely be contender for Rhos goal of the season.
With 5 minutes to go tho the end of the half QP got back into the game when they were awarded a penalty for a foul in the box. The penalty taker smashed it down the middle of the goal. HT 2-1
It was more of the same from Rhos they worked so hard for one another to stop QP as they pressed for another goal. Unfortunately they did equalise when the QP player curled it into the corner of the goal, leaving Stephen with no chance. 2-2
With QP equalising it would have been easy for Rhos to put their heads down and crumble but Rhos knew that they would have chances in the game and when Josh Rush crossed the ball for Josh Griffiths he smashed the ball leaving the keeper no chance to react. 3-2.
There was 25 minutes remaining and QP changed things and played with 4 up front which Rhos adapted to well. Rhos coped with everything that QP threw at them. It naturally became cagey with 5 minutes remaining with QP hitting the post twice but Rhos cleared. Normal time was up and the referee called 3 1/2 minutes of additional time, but deep into the 4th minute of additional time QP scored a header from a cross. QP were ecstatic and had played their 'Get out of Jail card'. FT 3-3
In extra-time Rhos were deflated and exhausted and it was a class goal from the QP striker beating two Rhos defenders to make it 4-3. In the second period QP made it 5-3 when Stephen had saved from the initial stop but their midfielder followed in to tap the ball into the goal.
Rhos can take so much from this game. their effort, desire and teamwork was outstanding. QP have been beating teams in their league for fun and we might not have won overall in the tie but over 90 mins QP were unable to beat us. We must take the same performance to Rhostyllen next week and ensure we get the win.
All players played out of their skin today and many were contenders for MOTM but the management opted for Jake Simms for his non-stop running and pressing throughout the game.