The NEWFA Under 14 Cup Final
played at BRYMBO SPORTS COMPLEX on Friday 7th May
On another typically "un-tropical" Brymbo evening, it was Ruthin Town who travelled back home the happiest after securing the Arthur Cherrett Memorial Cup as winners of this competition. The sun may have been shining but there was a definite chill in the temperature at The Crick, and this game failed to warm up too - until extra time that is. It was 12 months to the day since Borras Park Rangers won this Cup against - you've guessed it, Ruthin Town!!
We were hoping for a footballing treat from two teams who normally like to get the ball down and play, unfortunately the first half turned into a game of chess as both defences were dominant, and chances were at a premium. Borras certainly enjoyed far more possession in that first period, without really getting beyond a defence that was superbly marshalled by the Ruthin skipper, Jacob Williams.
The second half started in much the same vain, but as tiredness set in, chances were created and the constant probing of Josh Carney and Llyr Morris of Ruthin looked as though a breakthrough was imminent. On the other side Ryan Kershaw and Lewis Edwards did their utmost to break free of their shackles too. I reckon most of the spectators had decided that extra-time was the only obvious outcome, and that proved to be the case. What those spectators had not reckoned on was one team scoring three goals in the extra period. The breakthrough came in the 6th minute of the first extra period and it was a goal to grace any final. Ryan Jones picked up the ball on the right and cut inside past two defenders and finished brilliantly into the far corner with an angled shot. The second followed just 3 minutes later, this time from a speculative shot-cum-cross from right-back Ifan Roberts who didn't even see the ball go in the net as he had turned to get back into position!! Borras heads went down but they rallied well in the final 10 minutes to try and get back into the game, but Ryan Jones put the result beyond doubt with his second and Ruthin's third 5 minutes from the end. 3-0 was probably an unfair reflection on a very tight game, and harsh on Borras Park Rangers.
Thanks to Brymbo for hosting the game and also thanks to Mr. Keith Cherrett and Mr. Brian Johnson for presenting the trophies. It was a pleasure to witness the game being superbly controlled by three of the top young officials within the North East Wales Area too.
Borras Park Rangers: Callum Gaughran, Ryan Merrill, Daniel Whalley, Luke White, Jack Edwards, Aayron Rafferty, Ryan Kershaw, Ben Edwards, Lewis Edwards, Jack Davies, Dan Jarrett. Subs: Callum Ridgeway, Jordan Davies, Scott Jones.
Ruthin Town: Dan Jones, Ifan Roberts, Jacob Williams, Rhys Hughes, Garin Roberts, Rob Dodd, Josh Carney, Cai Davies, Llyr Morris, Ryan Jones, Tom Dyer. Subs: Will Hughes, Andy Lewis, Tom Owen, Tom Moore, Meredydd Jones.
Referee: Mr. A. Jones. Assistant Referees: Mr. T. Ellis,and Mr. T. Williams
