Vets Football: Llay Welfare outscore Phoenix in North East Wales League Cup clash

NORTH EAST WALES FOOTBALL LEAGUE VETS CUP
Llay Welfare Vets 5 (D Hughes 20, 46 & 71: G Williams 31, D Lewis 83)
Penmaenmawr Phoenix Vets 1 (Pope 50)
Dan Hughes was a hat-trick hero for a Llay outfit which marches on to the quarter-finals and a visit to long-time unbeaten side Hawarden Rangers Vets.

Welly manager Jonny Taylor was proud of his team’s dominant display against a determined Penmaenmawr at Nant-y-Gaer Road.

“We controlled the game throughout and could have won by more,” said CPD Y Rhyl 1879 striker Taylor, also a former Llay player.

“Penmaenmawr scored a great goal when we were 2-0 up to make it 2-1 but we went and scored straight away and then got another 2.

“We were brilliant today in tough conditions and were missing four or five lads through injury and a couple playing for Wrexham Legends (against Ruabon Legends).

“We should have had the game wrapped up after 20 minutes but missed three or four great chances.”

Next up is Hawarden, back-to-back Division One champions now in the North East Wales Vets Premier, who have not lost a league game since November 2019 – a run of 30 matches.

Speaking about his Championship (Division One) team’s next opponents, Taylor added: “They’ve not lost in 3 years by all accounts but we will be a game for any side so we’re looking forward to this one.

“Onto Deeside Dragons In the other cup (NEWFA Vets Cup) and we’ve a full squad to pick from.”

Dan Hughes edged Llay ahead in the seventh minute and then provided the assist for Gareth Williams to make it 2-0 after 31.
Nick Pope pulled one back for Phoenix early in the second half, but Hughes struck again for the Welly and then completed his treble after 71.

David Lewis rounded things off with an 83rd minute penalty.

TEAMS
LLAY WELFARE VETS
Kyle Flower
Mark Williams
Gareth Guest
Matthew Davies
Kai Jones
Nathan Humphreys
Gareth Williams
Jimmy Gambino
Keith Evans
Eddie Maurice-Jones
Dan Hughes
SUBS
Kerry Howells
Mike Gadie
David Lewis
John Edwards
Andrew Thomas

PENMAENMAWR PHOENIX VETS
Michael Williams
Nick Lewis
Peter Roberts
Bleddyn Jones
Phil Mountford
Johnny Williams
David Williams
Nick Pope
Peter Williams
James Roberts
Dwyfor Williams
SUBS
Glenn Lewis
David Hurdman
John Griffiths
Stephen Roberts

CELEBRITY SPOT
Guess who was playing for Llay Welfare today? Ex-Liverpool FC prospect Eddie Maurice-Jones, now manager of Cymru North club Gresford Athletic! Now 34, what a player he was in his time (and probably still is).

NORTH EAST WALES FOOTBALL LEAGUE VETS CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
White Bear v FC Queen’s Park
Rhydymwyn v Ruthin Town
Connah’s Quay Nomads v Denbigh Wanderers
Hawarden Rangers v Llay Welfare