Gresford Athletic did have their chances, though, and in the 34th minute, Toby Gallagher-Keenan did brilliantly well to pick the ball up and play it into the box for Charlie Mann, but he could not find the space to pull the trigger.

Paul Johnson then drove into the box with the ball in the 39th minute and managed to have three quick-fire attempts at goal, but Holywell Town goalkeeper Shaun Pearson made some good saves to deny the lead for Gresford Athletic.

Just before half time, Holywell Town managed to find the advantage and break the deadlock, with Danny Andrews' free-kick finding the head of Danny Sullivan to place it in the back of the net.

The second half began with Haci Ozlu running through on goal in the 51st minute and having a decent effort on goal, but Charlie Mann was unable to get on the end of the rebound to tap it into te net and grab the equaliser.

Then, in the 58th minute, it was Holywell Town who scored again, with Jake Cooke tapping it into the back of the net following a save from Mike Jones.

There was a good moment for Gresford Athletic in 62nd minute, as Dominic Deacon came onto the pitch to pick up his first minutes of action since October 2023 after recovering from injury. Jordan Pownall was also substituted on to make his debut for the club.

Holywell Town then made it 3-0 in the 67th minute, with Jake Cooke firing the ball into the top corner from long-range to net a brace.

There was another debutant for Gresford Athletic in the 76th minute, with Callum Mannion coming onto the pitch after his transfer to the club from Cefn Albion was announced earlier in the day.

However, things went from bad to worse for Gresford Athletic, with Holywell Town scoring a fourth goal in the 81st minute, this time through Morgan Murray's strike into the roof of the net.

Then, just before full time, Holywell Town added a fifth to the scoreline, as Jake Cooke completed his hat-trick, placing the ball into the bottom corner in the 89th minute.

The full time whistle blew and Gresford Athletic can feel dissappointed in the eventual scoreline after a good first half performance with some chances to grab some goals of their own.

Vice-Captain Nathan Williams was voted as Gresford Athletic Man of the Match, with the defender putting in a good shift on the left hand side, despite the result.

Gresford Athletic

Starting XI: Jones (GK), J. Smith (Pownall - 62'), Bennett, Williams, Buxton (Edge - 55'), Griffiths (C), Johnson (Hesp - 76'), Mann (Deacon - 62'), S. Smith, Ozlu (Mannion - 76'), Gallagher-Keenan

Subs not used: Chaplin, Killilea

Holywell Town

Starting XI: S. Pearson (GK) (French - 63'), Evans, Sullivan, Bibby (Murray - 60'), Andrews (C), Cooke, M. Pearson, McGilloway (Pennington - 83'), Breese (Winslade - 83'), Hart, Edwards

Goalscorers: Cooke (x3), Sullivan, Murray

Subs not used: Wiltshire, Ashworth, Williams

Match Officials

Referee: Arthur Smallman

Assistant Referees: Katie Hannah, Luke Allsop