Rhos Aelwyd 1-4 Conwy Borough

Match Report by Daniel Heald of Leader Sport

Rhos Aelwyd boss Huw Rowlands insisted his side could 'hold their heads high' following a 4-1Welsh Trophy final defeat to Conwy Borough in Broughton.

Some clinical Borough finishing in a 15-minute second half spell turned the momentum of the game after Rhos had taken a merited lead through James Haynes.

The loss ended a superb run in this year's competition for the Welsh National League Division One leaders, who must now regroup and steel themselves for their promotion bid.

Rowlands was effusive in his praise of his defeated young squad and insisted Borough's superior firepower had proved the difference on the day.

He said: "I have to say I'm hugely proud of the performance and everything the lads have given, I really am. I didn't think in my wildest dreams that we'd get this far but we have and the lads can hold their heads up high.

"In the first half I thought we edged it and at 1-0 we looked pretty comfortable. We had a chance just before the goal too and if that had gone in it's a different game.

"They score just before half-time - and then I think Conway turned the screw in the second half and they were deserved winners.

"The scoreline was maybe a bit flattering but I think they deserved to win in the end.

"The league has always been the priority for us this season, but the further you get in a cup, the more you think 'we've got a chance of winning this'. It wasn't to be, but I'm so proud of all of them.

"That's the first game we've lost since August, which is quite impressive. But all good things to end.

"We have a game on Wednesday now and I think that's good. The sooner the game the better as far as we're concerned so we can get going again and put in another great performance and get back to winning ways."

A famous upset had looked likely after an encouraging first half display from Rhos, who enjoyed the best of the first 45 minutes before the class of Welsh Alliance pacesetters Borough came to the fore.

Saturday morning's heavy rain subsided soon after kick-off, with both sides making a tentative start on the 3G playing surface at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium.

But Rhos quickly imposed themselves on the game, pressing Borough high up the pitch by restricting space and limiting time on the ball in midfield.

The first opening fell for Borough on 15 minutes when Rhos keeper Steffan Parry's smart reflex save repelled a goalbound header from Anthony Williams.

Borough's latent attacking threat was well contained by an industrious Rhos midfield, with several full-blooded challenges on prolific Borough marksman Corrig McGonigle typifying their approach.

Rhos were almost gifted an opener minutes later when Borough keeper Ben Heald's miscued clearance eluded Williams in midfield and allowed forward Jamie Rogers a free run on goal, but Heald got down quickly to block the shot and atone for his error.

Borough full-back Matty Hughes then tried his luck from the edge of the box, but his left footed effort sailed well over the bar.

Rhos continued to dominate the midfield, but struggled to establish any fluency in the final third.

But on 30 minutes they went close when an unmarked Haynes was inches away from connecting with a flick-on from defender Ryan Jenkins.

The Tangerines replied in kind and quickly worked the ball upfield to find the lively Jamie Roberts in space on the edge of the box and his dipping effort looked destined for the bottom corner but clipped the upright and bounced wide.

Buoyed by that reprieve, Rhos went on the attack and Haynes profited on a loose ball and cut inside before composing himself and slotting calmly into the far corner.

Rhos looked solid for the remainder of the half and seemed on course to preserve their lead, but some neat Borough interplay on the edge of the box culminated in Leigh Craven firing into the net from 10 yards out.

Gareth Thomas' men were fortunate to be level at half-time, but emerged after the break with renewed purpose and attacking vigour.

Their lead came in fortuitous fashion on 51 minutes when Brendun Hogan's speculative free-kick from a wide position was inadvertently punched into the net by Parry who was under pressure from McGonigle.

Rhos almost levelled just minutes later but Jake Simms skewed his left footed effort wide from 12 yards out.

That miss proved costly as Borough broke quickly and McGonigle latched onto a flick-on inside the Rhos box and prodded home to make it 3-1.

The two-goal margin imbued the Tangerines with even more confidence and Rhos' cup dreams were ended on 67 minutes when Tommy Creamer gathered possession on the edge of the box, dropped his shoulder to beat two Rhos defenders, before firing low and hard into the net.

To their credit, Rhos kept battling but were unable to find a way back into the contest as Borough comfortably close the game out to lift the trophy.