BRO BAG PLACE IN WILLIAM HILL ELIAS CUP FINAL

Brief League report-followed by full report by Paul scholes

Bro Goronwy have booked their place in the Final of the William Hill Elias cup, and broken the sequence of Cemaes Bay v Valley which is the pairing in the first two finals. Their opponents, Trearddur Bay, who last week booked their place in the semi-final of the NWCFA Junior Cup, pushed them all the way in an exciting encounter. It was puzzling that with half-time five minutes away neither side had found the net, or a combination of two good keepers and players snatching at chances. But with the break just minutes away, the hosts broke the dead-lock. Striker, Ioan Hughes, who has been `scoring for fun’ since his transfer, once again showing the way, losing a defender to then lift the ball over the keeper. [h/t 1-0]
The second period was much of the same with the visitors defending stoutly, but ready to break at any opportunity, but with fifteen minutes left Bro got the breathing space they needed with a second goal, and it was Hughes again sending a partial clearance straight back into the net, through a ruck of players. This goal was to prove crucial as the BAY, pulled on back, Steve Driedyk quick to react and tuck the ball away from close in. But it came too late for the visitors and Manager Paul Scholes will be hoping that strikers Hughes `double’ will take Bro to a double- of the William Hill Elias Cup and followed by the league title.

GUEST REPORT BY PAUL SCHOLES:-

William Hill Elias Cup Semi Final

Bro Goronwy 2 Ioan Hughes 41 & 76.
Trearddur Bay reserves 1 Stephen Driedyk 92.

HUGHES DOUBLE SEND BRO INTO FINAL
Ioan Hughes grabbed both goals as Bro narrowly defeated Trearddur Bay reserves 2-1 to book a Elias Cup Final slot .........

In the 1st of 2 consecutive home semi-finals Bro Goronwy were looking to book a place in the William Hill Elias Cup Final but knew that they would have to get past a strengthened Trearddur Bay reserves outfit for any chance of silverware.
On a perfect afternoon and playing surface there should have been no excuses for not producing some good football but the home side came out of the blocks in a disjointed manner and could not find their rhythm where as the visitors took the game by the scruff of the neck and dominated the early stages.
Big and strong at the back Bays defence did not give Bro's forwards a look in as they dominated the back line and in turn helped to create chances at the opposite end.
Adam Griffiths combining well with Jordan Jones who slid an inch perfect pass into forward Stephen Driedyk's path but his sliding shot squirmed wide under a heavy challenge from keeper Sweetser-Hawkes.
Liam Mortimer fired a dangerous cross across the face of goal for only Driedyk to fail to find the target.
Slowly but surely Bro got to grips with the semi final and looked like threatening Mike Bentleys goal, the most likely success in being from Ioan Hughes' pace beyond the backline.
The local forward should have opened the scorings only to drag his strike inches wide of the post but it was to only act as a sighter, as he found the back of the net moments later after 41 minutes played.
Turning centre half Anton Williams to gain that vital space to finish past Bentley with a deft chip away from the out rushing stopper for 1-0 in the tie.
Only an outstanding last ditch tackle from captain Dylan Jones thwarted Luke Miles stroking home a leveller on the verge of half time.
Half-Time 1-0.
There was nothing between the two teams in the second period neither but you felt that the next goal in the tie was to be crucial, another for the home side would make them relax more and give them a cushion but a leveller for the visitors would surely fire them up even more to reach the cup final.
Matt Jones blazed over for the Bay and Taylor Jones' snap shot failed to trouble Bentley with substitute Mike Williams coming on to make his presence felt as Trearddur looked to drive home a leveller.
Joe Caven threw himself at Bro midfielder Graham Jones to prevent the ball nestling in the back of the net but the away defence could not keep it out minutes later as Ioan Hughes netted his & Bro's 2nd goal of the tie.
Watching the ball fall nicely in a crowded penalty area the forward let fly and was grateful to see his shot deflected past the stricken gloves man.
Matt Jones again blazed over as the game had an end to end feel about it.
Williams delightfully knocked the ball into Driedyk who managed to cheekily chip Hawkes but had to watch as the ball fell agonisingly wide of the upright.
The action was not over as the tie ticked into stoppage time with Stephen Driedyk finally finding the back of the net with a close finish giving the Bay hope at 2-1 but as it was nearly the last kick of the match it was to be Bro Goronwy that progressed into the Elias Cup Final.
Full-Time 2-1.

Pic: Ioan Hughes puts Bro 1-0 up firing past Mike Bentley.