Conwy Borough 3-0 Penydarren BGC – Tangerines power their way past Penydarren to reach Trophy final

Conwy Borough progressed to the finals of the FAW Trophy, after seeing off South Walian side Penydarren at Aberystwyth Town’s Park Avenue. 

Fifth tie Penydarren from the South Wales Alliance League took on Welsh Alliance League favourites Conwy Borough in the semi-final of the FAW Trophy.

Conwy Borough started on the front foot with an early effort from Conwy’s Corey Williams but the linesman’s flag denied an opener for the travelling side. With Penydarren’s poor start more chances arrived for the away side and it was goalkeeper Jonathan Green who was made to work hard from a Tommy Creamer shot with Green managing to avert another big chance for the Welsh Alliance League side.

Still, Penydarren couldn’t settle with Conwy dominating the first period of the game and soon the deadlock was broken through Corey Williams, who finished well at the back post from a Tommy Creamer cross.

Penydarren then found a chance after a great through ball from midfielder Asa Lloyd who set winger Ben Jones through on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat but it only led to a dragged shot wide.

Another Penydarren chance did come soon after from striker Christopher Colvin Owens who a hit a bullet of a shot just wide of the Conwy Borough goal from a short corner from Joshua Brogden.

Soon after the second goal of the game arrived from Corrig McGonigle, who cut inside past Penydarren full-back Sam Gamble to finish supremely into the far top corner from 15 yards out past goalkeeper Green.

Just before half-time, Conwy Borough had another chance from Corrig McGonigle who chipped the ball over the Penydarren goalkeeper but over the bar too.

The second half did not start well with Penydarren gifting Conwy Borough another chance to extend their lead from an astray pass from midfielder Adam Lewis but luckily for Pen, it came to nothing.

Penydarren then began to grow into the second half with the domination of possession but still struggled to break down the borough defence. Penydarren’s first big opportunity of the game fell to Joshua Brogden whose shot was unconvincing save for goalkeeper Ben Hield.

Another opportunity for the South Wales Alliance side came soon after as Scott Pike’s fantastic run down the left flank was crossed perfectly to 17-year-old midfielder Harri Moyle who placed the shot just over the bar.

Penydarren’s day was to get worse as striker Christopher Colvin Owens was brought off with a minor hamstring injury. On came substitute Connor Keating who had a great chance to make the perfect entrance to the game, but his shot was dragged wide into goalkeeper Hields hands.

After continued pressure from the home side, the Mariners got caught on the break as a misplaced pass from Alex Lloyd gifted Conwy Borough’s substitute Dean Seagur with the third goal. Penydarren captain Alex Lloyd was lucky to escape a red card after a reckless tackle on midfielder Leigh Craven.

With five minutes to play Asa Lloyd had one final chance for Penydarren who dragged his shot, which found its way into the goalkeepers’ hands. Then soon after referee Nick Pratt blew the final whistle as Conwy Borough progress into the FAW Trophy Final.