Underdogs Albion defeat Corwen in Welsh Cup QF upset

On 09/02/19 Cefn Albion, backed by an army of supporters travelled to the war memorial ground as underdogs to taken on fellow WNLPD high fliers Corwen in the quarter final of the Welsh Trophy.

As the Albion chants rung around the War Memorial Ground It was a shaky start from the lads with nerves evident amongst the team. The poor start was punished when after only 6 minutes on the clock the hosts and favourites for the tie took the lead. For the next 15 minutes the hosts continued to dominate but the Albion should have been on level terms when Oliver Davies, after some excellent work missed from close range. The lads were beginning to settle and slowly started to come into the game and the affair was a little more even. On 29 minutes Conner Kendrick gambled in the penalty and was hauled down giving the man in the middle, Arthur Smallman no option to award a penalty. Kendrick picked himself up to cool dispatch the resulting spot kick sending the travelling Albion army wild, the supporters were in fine voice. Cefn tails were up and belief was beginning to creep into the team and on 42 minutes Kendrick sent a shot towards an empty net only for the Corwen centre half to blatantly stop it with his hand to prevent a certain goal. The referee awarded another penalty and had no option to reduce the hosts to 10 men. Once again, the responsibility fell to CK who see the penalty saved but luckily dispatched the rebound which fell nicely. 1-2 at half time, the team showing tremendous character to come from behind and now held a numerical advantage.

In the second half, the 10 men of Corwen started well and full credit attacked with intent but with the numerical advantage Cefn always posed a real threat breaking forward with real pace. On 50 minutes, Albion were awarded their third penalty of the game when CK was hacked down for another stone wall penalty decision, rightly awarded by the referee. On for a hattrick of penalties, Conner Kendrick stepped up but this tine seen his spot kicked well saved by the Corwen number one. Despite the disappointment of the penalty miss Albion wasted no time getting the third when just eight minutes later Jordan Jones sent an unstoppable left footed rocket into the top corner. Absolute scenes as every member of the teams run over to celebrate to the 50 or so supporters that congregated in the stand at the back of the goal. With a two-goal advantage in typical Cefn Albion fashion and seemingly doing things the hard way, Corwen pulled a goal back 2 minutes later to make it 2-3. Disappointing goal to concede after putting a little daylight between the two teams. On 65 minutes the two-goal advantage was restored when Conner Kendrick brilliantly slotted home form a tight angle, hattrick complete! With 25 minutes remaining the 10 men of Corwen pushed hard for a way back into the game but the Albion were putting bodies on the line and in truth were winning the battle. With the hosts commiting more and more bodies forward, the counter attack from Cefn was looking really dangerous and on 86 minutes young talented Zac Davies put the game beyond any doubt racing clear to slot home making it 2-5 and booking the Albion’s spot in the last four of the competition. Corwen scored a third consolation with a fantastic free kick which found the top corner.

Full credit to the Corwen ground staff who worked tirelessly at the ground to ensure that the game went ahead. It obviously cut up as the game wore on but it held up well all things considered.

We would like to thank our fantastic supporters who did not stop singing throughout the game, you were the 12th man and really helped the team. Great atmosphere in the club house afterwards which was packed to the rafters and cefn voices chanted to the beat of the drum. We are really lucky to have to all! You didn't stop all game and created a brilliant cup atmosphere!!

Thank you to Corwen for their hospitality and see you at the Rock in the league.