Holywell Town FAW Trophy Winners

On a fine afternoon on the North Wales Coast, and well supported by 510 vociferous fans and an inflatable crocodile; the Wellmen rose to the occasion, but they were made to give every inch by their spirited opponents.

Having already won the League in which both sides participate, the Wellmen were the pre-match favourites and they took the lead in the 12th minute when striker Phil Lloyd glanced a header past Penrhyn' keeper Robert Watson from a Steve Thomas corner on the right.

The advantage should have been doubled just before half-time, but Dafydd Griffith hit the bar and Town were made to pay when veteran striker Paul Roberts pounced in the six-yard box to volley an equaliser in the second minute of injury time. The former Bangor City and Wrexham striker has scored hundreds of goals from that distance in an illustrious career, but the latest for his hometown club in a National Final would have rated with the most significant as the sides went in at the break all-square.

The Wellmen last lifted the crown in 2011, a match in which current boss John Hasledin played and winger Steve Thomas was awarded Man of the Match. And it was Thomas who again wrote his name into FAW Trophy Final history in the 54th minute, as he struck the best goal of the afternoon, with an excellent volley from the left of the penalty box and into the top right corner, leaving Watson no chance.

There was no sign of heads dropping from the resilient Cocklemen and after skipper Adam Griffiths just shaved the wrong side of the post, they bounced back once again as Tom Hughes scored in the 64th minute to restore parity for a second time.

The excellent crowd continued to spur on both teams and it was Holywell, who in front of their loud faithful at the High School end, took the lead for a third time as Lloyd secured his brace in the 71st minute. Tom McElmeel was then fouled in the penalty area by veteran defender Mike Foster in the 79th minute and fittingly Town captain Sam Jones fired the resulting penalty down the middle in front of the jubilant fans.