Guilsfield clinch Huws Gray Cup

 

Russell Cadwallader admitted on the eve of the Huws Gray Alliance Cup final that he never knows which Guilsfield side turns up on a Saturday. On the day that mattered it turned out to be the vintage variety which has been seen on too few occasions this season for the inconsistent club.

 

Lying fourth from bottom in the league, and facing a Porthmadog side full of flare and pace at Cefn Druid’s The Rock Stadium, Guilsfield were rightly given the underdogs’ tag but returned to Montgomeryshire last night a club that showed it is more than capable of matching anyone outside of Welsh football’s top tier.

 

Guilsfield produced a well organised no-nonsense display that incorporated passages of play that were a joy to watch.

 

And it was obvious from the off that they meant business. The back five (with goalkeeper Dave Maguire making his last appearance) looked impenetrable; the midfield worked tirelessly and were menacing on the ball while the front two of Chris Roberts and Ross Frame were a constant threat.

 

It was on the stroke of half time that the breakthrough came. A Rob Cookson corner was met at the near post by captain James Henderson (left) to direct his header home and send Guilsfield into the break 1-0 up.

 

Porth looked rejuvenated in the second period and were denied by the woodwork and a goal line clearance in the opening exchanges. But Guilsfield remained a threat going forward with chances of their own in an entertaining half. And when the second came in the 74^th minute, it was game over.

 

Just as Porth appeared to be taking a stranglehold in midfield, Gareth Jones broke the shackles and produced a lung busting burst through the back four. Frame timed his pass to perfection and Jones rounded the keeper before slotting in from a tight angle in style.

 

It sparked wild celebrations and breathed new life into Guilsfield’s tiring legs. A third soon followed. John Harris picked out frame in the box and the young striker found his senior partner Roberts who finished fortuitously with the aid of the bobbly playing surface.

 

It was a victory richly deserved and one that served notice of next season’s intent that the Guils will be challenging at the other end of the table.

 

 

Llanrhaeadr stepped closer to the Spar Division One title with a convincing victory over Tywyn Bryncrug on Saturday.

 

The 3-0 win has brought them to within a point of leaders Berriew and with two games to play against Aberystwyth University, few will be betting against them now.

 

Meanwhile, Llanidloes upset their high flying neighbours Carno with a 1-0 win to unseat them in third place, and Waterloo Rovers also saw a return to form with an impressive 3-0 win over Builth Wells. Llansantffraid Village won 3-1 at Penparcau.

 

In Division Two, Meifod enjoyed some end of season cheer with their result of the season at home to Kerry. The bottom side won 4-2. Champions Montgomery won a tight verdict at Tregaron, winning 3-2, while Llanfair United’s decent first season back in the Mid Wales scene continued with a 1-0 win at Aberaeron to move into seventh with a game remaining meaning fourth is a possibility.

 

Dolgellau 4 Dyffryn Banw 2

Llanidloes 1 Carno 0

Llanrhaeadr 3 Tywyn Bryncrug 0

Penparcau 1 Llansantffraid Village 3

Waterloo 3 Builth Wells 0

 

Aberaeron 0 Llanfair Utd 1

Bont 0 Llandrindod Wells 0

Meifod 4 Kerry 2

Rhosgoch 5 Llanfyllin 3

Tregaron 2 Montgomery 3