ELIAS CUP FINAL REPORT BY PAUL SCHOLES

Friday 24th April 2015

Bro Goronwy 2 Graham Jones 49, Andy Williams 59.
Valley Athletic 3 Tommy Jenkins 75, Casey Boylan (pen) 80, Tommy Jenkins 93.

3RD TIME LUCKY AS LATE COMEBACK GIVES VALLEY CUP SUCCESS

2-0 up with 15 minutes to play Bro Goronwy looked good to lift the cup but a storming fight back & injury time winner gave Valley Athletic the victors 3-2.
It was all thrills and spills at Nantporth in this William Hill Elias Cup Final as Bro must have thought that 2 wonder goals had given them enough with only 15 minutes remaining but Valley had other ideas, replying with 3 late goals, culminating in a Tommy Jenkins stoppage time winner.
With Valley having already played 2 cup finals, although defeated by Cemaes Bay in both, the newly crowned champions by far settled the better in this final, passing the ball crisply to make Bro work hard for any possession available.
Only 1 team looked like threatening the goal as Bro attempted to keep Valley at arms length, keeper Gareth Owen nimbly tipping over a dangerous cross underneath his cross bar.
Outstanding centre half Dylan Jones denied Shaun Jenkins with a last ditch tackle before Shane Boylan's free kick tested Owen's handling.
On the break Bro had an outstanding chance to take the lead, hitman Ioan Hughes beating his marker out wide before cutting in towards goal but his attempted chipped finish of keeper Roy Sayle was too weak to get past the stopper.
Bro gradually got used to the occasion and themselves starting to link passages of play to test Valley's rear guard.
It stayed tight and tense to the interval as no team could produce enough to break the deadlock.
Half-Time 0-0.
The second period was to be the complete opposite of the first with goals galore, a stunning comeback and a last ditch winner.
Minutes after the re start Bro were ahead and it was to be a stunning goal that would grace any final, watching the ball cleared to outside the edge of the box midfielder Graham Jones clinically caught the ball as sweet as a nut on the full volley that flew into the back of the net.
Ahead, Bro were now confident on the ball and pushed for a further goal as Valley thought it was happening all over again on cup final night.
Andy Williams produced a spectacular stretching save from Sayle before Captain Jones' fine determined play set up Taylor Jones who only just managed to clear the far post.
Williams was soon on the ball again and this time he was not to be stopped.
Picking the ball up in the middle of the field quick feet soon lost his nearest markers before running at pace at the last line of defence, more Athletic players were left for dead before Williams low strike gave the keeper not a prayer to put Bro 2-0 up.
At this point in the game Bro had the 2 goal advantage and their opponents there for the taking but couldn't find the decisive and crucial 3rd goal that would have put the game to bed.
With 15 minutes remaining the direction of the game changed as Valley were thrown a lifeline, full back Gareth Jones was dispossessed in a dangerous wide area to leave a free run down the wing before a simple cross found Tommy Jenkins at the far post to slot home.
The atmosphere had now changed in the Bro dugout as, even though still 2-1 up, Valley now had all the momentum and 5 minutes later their fears came true.
Tired legs came into play as defender Jones felled the forward to leave Heinz Broering pointing to the penalty spot.
Casey Boylan stepping up to send Owen the wrong way for 2-2.
Valley thought they had blown their chance to bag a late winner as into stoppage time space again was found behind the full backs to leave a clear run on goal and it only needed a finish from 3 yards out but Owen performed heroics in goal to prevent a winner.
Lessons were not learnt as again, this time in the 93rd minute, Valley broke behind the left full back to find a cup winning goal.
This time Tommy Jenkins had no trouble keeping a cool head to find the back of the net and cap a remarkable late comeback to make it 3rd time lucky for Valley Athletic in this seasons cup finals.
Full-Time 2-3.

PICTURE: Shane Boylan receieve Donna Ronberts s the William Hill Elias Cup from Area Manager Stephen Poyner, along with Llangefni Branch Mmanager Donna Roberts