PICTURE by Paul Scholes
Bro Goronwy 3 (Taylor Jones 36′, Callum Thomas 48′, Dylan Jones 80′)
Bryngwran Bulls 1 (Craig Moore 63′)
GWYNEDD LEAGUE side Bro Goronwy have been crowned North Wales Coast Football Association Junior Cup champions for the third time in the club’s history.
Having previously won the prestigious trophy in 1986/87 and 2016/17, Bro completed the hat-trick on Saturday afternoon with a 3-1 win over Anglesey League champions Bryngwran Bulls.
The opening half hour of the match played in Bethesda proved to be a closely-fought affair with both teams cancelling each other’s attacks out. Ross Mark went close with a volley for Bro but goalkeeper Johnny Sweetser proved to be the real hero with a fine save on 20mins to deny Matt Reynolds a great goal.
The deadlock was eventually broken on 36mins. A well-worked corner found midfielder Taylor Jones unmarked and he made no mistake to fire his side into a 1-0 lead – which they held right through to half time.
In the second half, an arguably world class goal from winger Callum Thomas doubled Bro’s advantage. Fellow winger Mark work created the space for Thomas, who sent the ball rising up and over Bulls keeper Konner Druce and into the net from 25 yards out.
Soon after, Bro’s top scorer Jac Thomas, who has bagged 25 goals this season, could have made it three but saw his header saved. Then came a glimmer of hope for Richard Owen’s spirited Bulls side. Top scorer Craig Moore was presented with a goal-scoring opportunity from a free-kick and he took it very well – placing it past Sweetser and into the bottom right hand corner for 2-1.
From there on out, it really could have gone either way, but Bro’s defence spearheaded by captain Dylan Jones stood strong. And it was only right then that it was he who was to add the final decisive goal of the game.
On 80mins, Jones rose highest to power home a header from a Callum Thomas corner and put the game to bed and spark wild celebrations for Bro.
The Gwynedd League side were deservedly crowned champions on the day but credit must go to both sides who have done exceptionally well to make the final of a cup that also includes team from the Vale of Clwyd and Conwy Leagues. They have certainly put Anglesey on the map this season.
LINE-UPS
BRO GORONWY: Johnny Sweetser (GK), Gareth Jones (RB), Rob Tiesteel (CB), Dylan Jones (CB), Aaron Heald (LB), Ross Mark (RM), Taylor Jones (CM), Jamie Jones (CM), Callum Thomas (LM), Tom Wood (ST) and Jac Thomas (ST). SUBS: Cole Whittle, Connor Jones and Sam Regan.
BRYNWGRAN BULLS: Konner Druce (GK), Tony Meyer (RB), Arwyn Williams (CB), John Jones (CB), Tom Verburg (LB), Nik Kontodios (CM), Iolo Jones (CM), Matt Reynolds (CM), Matty Roberts (LW), Craig Moore (ST), Jerome Sillence (RW). SUBS: Barry Edwards, Mark Hamblin and Ioan Thomas.
REFEREE: Glenn Gray
MAN OF THE MATCH: John Jones (Bryngwran Bulls, below)
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