NEWFA Challenge Cup Semi-Final: Buckley Town 2-1 Chirk AAA

The above pictures are from Buckley Town's hard-fought 2-1 NEWFA Challenge Cup Semi-Final win over Chirk AAA played at a neutral venue - the Brymbo Sports Complex.

The lower level side made it a difficult afternoon for Buckley but a classy finish from Colin Quirk 10 minutes from time put the 'Bucks' into the final. They will now meet Welsh Premier side Airbus UK in the final to be played at Wrexham FC's Racecourse Ground on Tuesday 4th May.

Brymbo is located up in the hills outside Wrexham with the Sports Complex's football pitch in a particularly nice spot. On one side there is a small seated stand and across from that a sheltered standing area while the main building hosts the sort of facilities that the local community can take pride in. With the sun out too - overall it was a particularly good afternoon for those with an affinity to Buckley Town.

Elements Cefn Druids 1-2 Haverfordwest County

An Easter Bank Holiday Monday saw a trip to Plaskynaston Lane - home of the self-professed 'Oldest Football Club in Wales - Elements Cefn Druids, known as the Ancients.

Based in the Wrexham village of Cefn Mawr their quaint Plaskynaton Lane home has plenty of character and charm - but not the required facilities to gain an FAW Domestic Licence. This will be the Druids last full season at the ground before they move to a new-purpose built venue in nearby Rhosymedre which should meet all the new specifications. By then though, the Druids will be playing at a lower level in the Cymru Alliance for the first time in over a decade.

Unfortunately their history is all they've had to cheer about this season as they have languished at the bottom of the Welsh Premier, fielding a youthful side having had to slash their budget by 50% just prior to Christmas. Needless to say a number of players left but to their credit many have stuck around.

Attendances are regularly low despite nearby Wrexham FC's recent decline and dire performances at non-league level, they pulled in over 2,000 for a dismal draw against part-time Gateshead, while simultaneously Haverfordwest's visit to Druids brought a measly 64 spectators to Plaskynaston.

It is under these conditions that old Wrexham FC favourites Waynne Phillips & Lee Jones have done a superb job of keeping the Druids competitive. There are more connections to Wrexham FC's better days with Trinidad & Tobago World Cup star Dennis Lawrence also helping out, while the team-sheet includes sons of three notable ex-Wrexham players: Josh Russell - son of Kevin 'Rooster' Russell, Craig Pejic (son of Mel Pejic, brother of Shaun Pejic) and Jonathan Rush (son of ex-Wales & Liverpool goalscoring legend Ian Rush).

Despite their struggles the Druids soldier on and this game was no different. Haverfordwest - looking to secure their place in next season's 'Super 12' only took the lead on the stroke of half-time. They doubled it not long after the resumption but Druids were not outplayed or outfought.

With less than 20 minutes to go the Ancients had their playing co-manager, 40 year-old Waynne Phillips pulling the strings in midfield, sent off for a second bookable offence. Pleasingly they pulled a goal back as Rush scrambled in a consolation that gave Haverfordwest a nervy finish to the game.

Hopefully it will not be too long before the Druids return to the Welsh Premier - which would be a fitting reward for the small band of people who keep them going.

Man of the Match: Josh Griffiths. It was difficult to pick one player out of a real team effort but the dimunitive teenage wide-player for Cefn Druids stood out with his close-control and willingness to carry the ball forward.

Flint Town United 0-0 Buckley Town

The Flintshire derby between two of the Cymru Alliance's top four - league leaders Flint Town United and fourth place Buckley Town - did not live up to expectations.

Both sides were cautious and seemingly aware that any slip-up could cost them the game and their progress towards a good end to the season. The 0-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of the game. For Buckley a good finish is assured but Flint are going for the title and currently lead nearest challengers Llangefni Town by a considerable margin.

Flint's Cae-y-Castell home is impressive by Cymru Alliance standards - their raised, seated and well-covered main stand (with views of the surrounding shore an added bonus) houses some excellent facilities.

However the set-up is not deemed adequate enough to meet new FAW Domestic Licence requirements. Like Buckley Town they are working hard towards gaining it but as it stands - when Flint are crowned champions they will not be eligible for promotion to next season's newly-reduced Welsh Premier.

Though Flint have not been a top-flight team since the 1990's the ground has ironically played host to that level of football just a few years ago. When the Deeside Stadium pitch was being re-laid Connah's Quay Nomads played their home games at Cae-y-Castell.

Hopefully Flint will be able to keep their strong squad together so that when they are next challenging for the title they are eligible to take advantage of promotion.