Loosemores Cup Final - Caersws 1 Rhyl 1 (Caersws won 3-1 on penalties)

GOALKEEPER Andy Mulliner was Caersws’ hero as two penlty shoot-out saves took the Welsh Premier League Cup to the Recreation Ground for the third time following a wind -spoiled final at Aberystwyth.

Silverware in the trophy cabinet is icing on the cake for the Bluebirds after the resolution of their well-publicised financial difficulties.

Delighted manager Mickey Evans felt it was no more than they deserved because he felt Mulliner had earlier been fouled when Rhyl substitute David Cameron equalised Graham Evans’ opener in extra time.

Bitterly disappointed Rhyl boss John Hulse was forthright in his criticism of the officials for even allowing the match to go ahead in such a severe gale.

Both sides’ failure to master the elements in a thoroughly forgettable encounter that only livened up in extra time suggested he had a point.

Hulse’s frustration was increased by the knowledge that Rhyl had the greater possession and the better of what chances there were in a game where neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled until extra time, or indeed, apart from the goals, until the penalty shoot out.

Caersws failed to take advantage of a favourable first-half breeze, with Evans missing just about their only real opportunity. Rhyl carved out a couple of half chances with Alex Hay and Lee Hunt going close, but there was little to warm the freezing crowd who must have doubted the wisdom of switching this traditional May Day Bank Holiday final to mid-March.

There was little improvement after the break with Rhyl tending to over-hit the ball and fail to capitalise on their dominance.

Extra time came as no surprise. However, after five minutes Evans finally achieved a the breakthrough for Caersws with a superbly struck 12 yard volley from a left-wing cross.

Big striker David Cameron came on for Rhyl in the second period and made an immediate impact, but seemed to have fouled goalkeeper Mulliner, who went sprawling as he headed home a corner.

Mulliner however, had the last laugh. After saving Andy Moran’s first Rhyl penalty of the shoot out, he did likewise with Cameron’s third, Lee Hunt scoring in between.

With Chris Venables and Graham Evans having netted for the Bluebirds, John Gann kept Rhyl in contention by saving from Lloyd Grist. However, after Mark Connolly’s penalty struck a post, Colin Reynolds cooly fired home to take the cup to Caersws.