TEENAGE striker Liam Doherty scored twice in the first half as holders Penrhyncoch retained the Spar Mid Wales Summer Cup in crushing fashion with an 8-0 romp over Knighton at Cae Baker.

After scoring just once in four pre-season friendlies, the Roosters discovered the goal trail in stunning fashion as they totally outplayed the Radnorshire Robins in the annual fixture involving last season’s top two Spar Mid Wales League sides.

Doherty, who is a highly-rated 16-year-old from the Aberystwyth Town Academy, led the way with two of the four goals in the first 45 minutes before coming off.

Skipper Owain James and the revitalised Antonio Corbisiero also scored twice for the Roosters, before Dylan James and Jon Foligno rounded off the emphatic win.

The manner of the victory, albeit against a depleted Knighton side, will put Penrhyn in good heart for Saturday’s opening Huws Gray Cymru Alliance fixture at defending champions Caernarfon Town.

“I’m not going overboard as Knighton had four or five players missing, including their leader Adam Worton, but it was a good performance, and what we did, we did well,” said Penrhyn boss Gari Lewis.

“Regardless of what team they had out, we had to look after our own performance, and the players did that very well. We had a lot of possession and passed the ball about quickly in hot conditions, and in the end our superior fitness told.

“We really wanted to retain the cup as, realistically, there is less likelihood of us winning a trophy this season. That was important as it’s always good to win a trophy, whether it’s on the first or last day."We had a few players out ourselves, so I thought I would throw Jack in. He’s from the Academy, he’s only 16, still a young boy, but he’s very much a man and he could prove to be a real talent for us.

“I want to thank Matthew Bishop, the Aberystwyth Town manager, for allowing him to come to us, and we will be looking to work with him this season.

“He’s been away for two weeks in Canada with his school, so he needs to work on his fitness, but he’s a really exciting prospect and it’s good to have him on board.”

Lewis also praised ex-Aberystwyth Town player-coach Corbisiero, who has settled in quickly in midfield since his move to Cae Baker this summer.

“He stood out like a beacon for Saturday with his movement, intelligence and willingness to run off the ball,” he said. “Also Owain James deserves a mention. He’s as strong as an ox, and looks like he’s gone up another level this pre-season.”