DERWYN ROBERTS PERFORMANCE HELPS

The outstanding tie in the William Hill sponsored Elias Cup, saw Newborough entertain a Llandegfan Antelope side that were missing five regulars which may well have been seen as giving them an advantage. However, that proved not to be the case as the players who stepped up to fill the `gaps’, proved to be admirable replacements, and senior players stepped up their game as the visitors secured a quarter-final place with a 5-1 verdict. Derwyn Roberts gave Lope the lead when he connected with a corner kick at the near post [30] and at the same time maintained his `goal a game’ sequence in each of his last five games. Youngster, Joshua Royd doubled the lead after harassing a defender to `steal’ the ball and fire home [55]. Derwyn Roberts, one of the senior players leading by example – and who went on to be awarded man of the Match, then made it three running on to a long ball over the top to run on and score his second [63]. Little had been seen of the home attack as the visitors closed them down. Chris Arthur [72] made it four nil when the home keeper had pulled off an excellent stop to deny Roberts his hat-trick, but the ball ran to Arthur who finished it off. Then good work by Gareth Davies created space for Thomas Jones to make it five. It was all over bar the shouting when Ian Hughes converted a late penalty [88] for the hosts.