Machynlleth 1-5 Corwen: Five-star display for Corwen as Evans nets brace
Corwen produced a five-star performance as they thrashed Machynlleth 5-1 at the Cae Glas in their Ardal Leagues North East opener.
Kevin Day had put Guy Handscombe’s side in the lead in the first half but Jac Petrie scored an equaliser for Richie Evans’ side a few moments into the second half.
Corwen though issued a rapid response and netted three goals inside eight minutes, including a brace from Scott Evans and a strike from Owen Cordiner. Defender Oliver Crimp added a further goal for the Wrexham side as they left Mid Wales with the victory.
The game started quickly, with Machynlleth committing men forward for a corner, from which they saw the ball cleared off the goal line. From the clearance, Corwen went on the counter-attack, with Kevin Day bearing down on goal and despite having teammates in support he ignored them and slotted the ball past oncoming keeper Thomas Jenkins.
At the opposite end, the ball was played across to Jac Petrie, whose shot bounced in front of Corwen keeper James Mallon, who was still able to collect the ball.
Tom Williams ran on to a long forward ball and was able to get a shot away, but Thomas Jenkins was able to make a save.
On the half-hour mark, Phillip Jones looped a shot into the air, causing James Mallon to scramble back towards goal and gather the ball.
Corwen captain Scott Evans played a free-kick into the Machynlleth box ten minutes before the break, where Harry Pooler slid in, but he was only able to knock the ball over the bar.
Three minutes after the break the home side were able to level the score as a good ball into the box was headed home by Petrie.
The setback did not faze the visitors though, as a great move came to fruition when Owen Cordiner headed the ball home to restore Corwen’s advantage two minutes after going behind.
More goals were to come in this flurry of action after the interval. Corwen were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position, which Scott Evans stood over and he curled the ball up and over the wall and into the top corner as Thomas Jenkins fruitlessly scrambled back from his side of the goal.
Corwen smelt blood after establishing a two-goal cushion and they soon made it a three-goal advantage when Scott Evans chipped the keeper from the edge of the box.
Machynlleth looked to pull a goal back with twenty minutes to play; however, a great last-ditch tackle from Harry Pooler prevented the Machynlleth player from getting a shot away.
The away side made it five goals for the afternoon as Oliver Crimp played a low shot at goal from a tight angle, which just crept under Thomas Jenkins and into the back of the net.
As the game entered the final six minutes Kel Davies ran at the home goal, forcing Thomas Jenkins to come running off his line and Kel delayed his effort at goal, missing the opportunity to chip the goalie, who was able to slide in and make a tackle.
In the final minute of the ninety Scott Evans sent a crack shot at goal, which Thomas Jenkins was able to tip away to prevent him from completing his hat-trick.
In stoppage time Kevin Day went in search of his second goal of the afternoon, but his shot clipped the post.
Machynlleth: Thomas Jenkins, Daniel Green, (Johan Auf Den Kamp, 45), Callum Roberts, Harry Cottam (C), Joshua Ferreira, Dylan Benjamin, Oliver McGilligan, Dillon Browne, Jac Petrie, Harry Vince-Holt, Phillip Jones.
Goals: Jac Petrie 48′
Corwen: James Mallon, Oliver Crimp, Matthew Williams, Harry Pooler, Rhys Billington, Callum Cross (James Evans, 58), Kevin Day, Scott Evans, Owen Cordiner, Jack Rogers (Kel Davies, 64), Tomos Williams.
Goals: Kevin Day 3, Owen Cordiner 50, Scott Evans 53, 58, Oliver Crimp 72
Yellow Cards: Callum Cross 18, Scott Evans 38’
