Chirk AAA 4-0 Dolgellau Athletic: Chirk go beserk in free-flowing performance
Chirk AAA 4-0 Dolgellau Athletic in the Ardal Leagues North East at Holyhead Road on the 1st August 2021. Credit: Will Cheshire/YCPD
Chirk AAA opened their Ardal Leagues North East account with a crushing 4-0 victory over Dolgellau Athletic at Holyhead Road.
Goals from Jake Simms, Thomas Faithfull and a brace from Matthew Thomas ensured Chirk started life in their new league with a comfortable win.
Thomas scored his first Chirk goal since joining from Coedpoeth United with half an hour played. His calm finish slotted under Dolgellau’s Darren Andrews with the game’s first real chance.
Jake Simms doubled the host’s lead with a superb chip from the edge of the penalty area and Thomas added a third with a late penalty. Thomas Fairfull completed the rout in the dying embers of the match.
In the first ever league matchup between the two sides things got off to an inauspicious start. Although both sides were moving the ball well, there were no chances of any merit until halfway through the half. Both diefensives were standing firm with Chirk’s Jake Ellison impressing with some strong tackling.
The host’s Lewis Clamp proved to be the most incisive with his running down the left. In quick succession he firsty whipped across the box an inviting ball that only needed a touch before being played through towards goal and dragging his effort wide.
The breakthrough came on the half hour mark and with the first shot on target of the match. Middlehurst was allowed too much room down the right hand side and slipped the ball back to Matthew Thomas in the box. Thomas struck his first time low and slid the ball past Andrews and into the net.
Dolgellau offered little in the first half and their only chance of the half came thanks to a clever set piece from Cai Johnson and Joey Jones. Johnson played a quick one two with Jones, receiving the moving ball and unleashing a fierce drive from 25 yards, only to see Callum Thurnham save well.
As the second half progressed Chirk began to dominate proceedings. Left back Ryan Williams’ corner almost snuck under the bar and the Chirk attacks only began to increase. With Simms and Thomas seeing strikes go behind. Cai Johnson could be relied upon to relieve some pressure for Dolgellau but was becoming too isolated out on the left wing.
Chirk doubled their lead in the 67th minute thanks to a speculative effort from Jake Simms. Having seen his initial shot rebound to the edge of the box, Simms ran onto the loose effort and struck a perfect chip over Andrews’ head and into the top right hand corner.
The introduction of Alistair Gibson gave Chirk a second wind. The midfielder brought the ball down well and played a wonderful through ball to Jack Edwards who barreled towards goal. The Chirk man beat the keeper but had taken the ball too wide and the chance was cleared.
Dolgellau failed to head Gibson’s threat and were made to pay for it when Gibson was bundled over a moment later to give the home side a spot kick. Matthew Thomas duly dispatched the penalty with ease, slotting onto the left post and into the back of the net.
Chirk were not satisfied with three goals however and went searching for more. Dafydd Jones’ silly challenge on the edge of the penalty area allowed Josh Phillips to smartly place his free kick under the wall, only for Andrews to produce a fine double save when Matthew Thomas ran onto the loose ball.
The triple A’s got their fourth goal in the final seconds thanks to substitute Thoma Faithfull. Jack Edwards made a good run down the right, played the ball across to Thomas who fed the ball to Faithfull. The young attacker’s touch was strong but he beat the keeper to the ball and managed to slip it under the beleaguered Andrews and the ball trickled over the line to cap a good afternoon for Chirk.
This was a real statement of intent by Chirk who travel to fellow table toppers Corwen on Tuesday. The Denbighshire side having beaten Machynlleth 5-1 on Saturday. Dolgellau meanwhile will look to pick themselves up with a home tie against Bow Street.
Chirk AAA: Callum Thurnham (GK), Adam Williams, Ryan Williams, Jake Ellison (C), Matthew Williams, Jake Simms (Josh Phillips 78’), Jack Edwards, Ryan Davies, Louie Middlehurst (Alistair Gibson 76’), Mathew Thomas, Lewis Clamp (Thomas Faithfull 72’)
Goals: Matthew Thomas 30’ 81’, Jake Simms 67’, Thomas Faithfull 90’
Yellow cards: Ryan Williams 38’, Ryan Davies 71’
Dolgellau Athletic: Darren Andrews (GK), Joey Jones, Ifan Jones, Jamie Jones (Dion James 78’), Dafydd Jones (Harri Davies 88’), Thomas Carr (Ioan Roberts 65’), Gerwyn Williams (Daniel Thomas 65’), Jake Jones (C), David Edwards, Robert Evans, Cai Johnson
Yellow cards: Dafydd Jones 84’
