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Monday 20 November FAW Premier Cup NEWI Cefn Druids 1 County 2
County made hard work of edging their Principality Welsh Premier League opponents out of the FAW Premier Cup to earn a home tie in the quarter-final of the competition. This was of course a home draw for us but with the Newport Stadium floodlights undergoing essential maintenance and upgrading, the tie was switched to the Cefn Mawr HQ of NEWI Cefn Druids, on the outskirts of Wrexham. |
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There were echoes of the Conference South clash with Braintree Town two days earlier when County outplayed our opponents only to concede defeat to a freak own goal. Scoring has suddenly looked a problem - the injury to Craig Hughes when Braintree keeper Nick Morgan bundled over our top scorer, was a major factor in County’s failure to fire on Saturday, and, with Guppy missing, it was similar at Plaskynaston Lane.
Ceri Edwards in the home goal was kept fully occupied in the first 20 minutes but looked capable of dealing with everything County directed his way. Julian Alsop, Richard Evans, Matt Green and John Brough all forced saves from the Druids keeper though Steve Watkin - once an FA Cup hero for Wrexham - was close for Druids with a delightfully curling effort which just passed the post. With the first half looking likely to draw a blank, Osian Jones did well to outwit Ian Hillier and gave Mark Ovendale no chance with his shot to give the home side the lead against the run of play.
Druids were forced back throughout the second period on a pitch that was becoming increasingly heavy with the driving rain and County tended to overplay at times which gave the home side the chance to deal with the dangerous and hard working Julian Alsop. However, with the cash bonanza of £15,000 that awaited the winners looking ever more likely to go to the home side, Hillier whipped in an early cross which was met by an excellent downward header from Jules to leave Edwards helpless.
Lee Jenkins had made a welcome return to the first team as substitute following his knee injury problems and another couple of subs also made a significant impact.
Sam O’Sullivan came on in a front-running role for cramp victim Green and quickly made an impression with the winning goal early in extra time after the impressive Alsop had won a header from a free-kick. Chris Hartland became the latest Academy product to appear in the first team after Jason Bowen picked up a knock and the 16 year-old was close to crowning his debut with a goal.
In a rare threat from Druids just after Sam’s goal, Mike Heverin missed when it looked easier to score, but there were no further scares and the 30 or so County fans who were able to make the long journey north could at least enjoy a relaxed return trip.
All credit to our hosts who can be proud of their performance, and also to referee Brian Lawlor and his two assistants who all gave exemplary displays.
Druids: Edwards, Hunter (Heverin 86), Roberts, Rowlands, Phillips, Taylor, O Jones, Watkin (Mazzarella 84), L Jones, Lamb, Edgar. Subs not used: Burns, Mullock.
Scorer: O Jones (45+1). Cautions: Watkin (44) and Roberts (103), both for fouls.
County: Ovendale, Hillier, S Jenkins, Davies, Brough, Cochlin, Bowen (Hartland 96), Garner, Alsop, Green (O’Sullivan 90), Evans (L Jenkins 69). Subs not used: Edwards, Giles.
Scorers: Alsop (80), O’Sullivan (92) Caution: O’Sullivan (108), foul.
Referee: Brian Lawlor (Holyhead). Attendance: 246.
County Man of the Match: Julian Alsop. |
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Chris Hartland |
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Julian Alsop GOAL |
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© Colin Jeremiah |
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