Match Details
Date: Saturday 11 March 2017
Result: 1-4 (won)
Starting XI – Harry Thomas, Sean Jones, Paul Griffiths (c), Nathan Williams, Jamie Foulkes, Dion Gibbins, Daniel Cox, Nic Jones, Alex Williams, Oliver Davies, Craig Roberts
Substitutes – Darnell Prescott, Andrew Jones, Wez Parry, Callum Mannion
Goalscorer(s):
Oliver Davies (2)
Sean Jones
Andrew Jones
It was league semi cup final day for the Albion and the lads faced a difficult trip to the war memorial ground to take on Cowen, a team that has only tasted defeat five times in all competitions and has only lost once since the turn of the New Year, they were definitely a side in form.
Despite their impressive record they failed to beat the Albion in the opening league fixture and needed a 92nd minute equaliser to share the spoils that evening. Cefn were excellent that day and with a full squad for managers Stephen Davies and Sean Jones to choose from combined with a good training session midweek there was a quiet confidence growing amongst the ranks that we could go there and upset the odds.
The cup tie was gathering momentum across social media and as usual our fantastic supporters did not disappoint us and travelled in excellent numbers to back the team. The team responded well and started the game brightly taking the game to the hosts and it wasn’t long before the clubs leading scoring Oliver Davies gave everyone something to cheer about when a patient move was excellently finished by the ‘in form’ number 10. Following the goal Cefn continued to press and attempt to build on their lead but the hosts were slowly coming back into the game and were enjoying some possession of their own. Harry Thomas, who has been first class in goal since stepping up made a great save to deny Corwen with their best effort of the first half. Cefn just about shaded a tight first half which in truth didn’t see too many chances. HT 0-1.
From quite a cagey first half affair the second half exploded into life when a Sean Jones delivery from all of 40 yards completely missed everyone including the goal keeper and found its way into the net which put the Albion two nil to the good. Corwen responded well to going two down and pulled a goal back almost instantly from the restart, a hopeful ball was not dealt to well by the Albion defence and their lively winger sent a strike into the corner of the net leaving Thomas with no chance 1-2. Despite the hosts pulling a goal back Cefn responded well and soon restored their two goal advantage when the referee awarded a penalty which Oliver Davies made no mistake firing low to the keeper’s right, 1-3. From the side lines judging by the body language of the Corwen players and management they did not expect to be three one down at home with 75 minutes on the clock, in all honesty they looked like a team that was beaten. If there was any worry that there would be tense finale then substitute Andrew Jones made sure that wasn’t going to happen, when on 80 minutes he headed home from a set piece to make the score line 1-4 and all but book Albion their place in the 2017 league cup final.
It’s almost guaranteed that most would have viewed Cefn Albion as the underdogs leading into today’s fixture and not many people would have predicted a 4-1 outcome against a team that let’s not forget still have a very slight outside chance of the league title. It was an excellent all round performance which has now provided our football club with an opportunity to participate in yet another cup final and attempt to win more silverware, which again not many people would have predicted, especially those doubters at the beginning of the season.
Despite a rocky start to life in the WNL Premier Division it’s important to note that Cefn Albion do not become a bad team over night and those who remained with us are the ones who are committed to the club and exactly the type of players that we want to keep at the club! We of course wish all those who did move on the best of luck and move on. The majority of our players are all local lads who eat sleep and drink football together. Proper team spirit!!
Our players, management, committee and supporters never could have expected to be in a final this season but now they all have an exciting day to look forward to TOGETHER! We will go there with no pressure and thoroughly enjoy our day regardless of the scoreline.
We will face FC Nomads of CQ who defeated Brickfield Rangers in the other semi-final. The date and venue is yet to be confirmed but as soon as we have more information we will let you know via our website www.cefnalbion.co.uk and social media.
Well done everyone and thank you for your support!!
#UPTHEALBION
#TOGETHER
#LEAGUECUPFINALISTS
#12THMAN
