Welsh Alliance Cookson Cup: Meilir magic wins day for Blaenau, Hotspur pip Rwsters 5-4 in barnstormer

Dan McGinness struck an added-time winner as Holyhead Hotspur pipped Llanrwst United 5-4 in an absolute humdinger of a Welsh Alliance League Cookson Cup first round tie at the New Stadium.

Chris Jones notched a hat-trick for the home side and Sam Ashworth was also on target, but the Rwsters remained right in the contest thanks to four goals from Callum Parry.

Ashworth and Jones (penalty) put Hotspur two-up only for a Parry hat-trick to hand the visitors a half-time lead.

After the interval Jones pounced twice from close range to make it 11 goals for the season, but Parry hit back in the 87th minute and it looked like extra time was imminent.

However, play was past the 90 minute point when a free kick was cleared to outside the area and from around 25 yards McGinness drilled a fierce low drive beyond the keeper to clinch the tie.

Meilir Williams proved again he is the Welsh Alliance’s number one marksman with a double in Blaenau Amateurs’ 2-1 extra time victory at Llandudno Albion.

After starting the season on fire, Williams was sidelined for several weeks with a hip injury before returning in style with a hat-trick in a 4-2 Welsh Cup win over Mochdre Sports on September 29.

Last season’s Division One golden boot winner with Penrhyndeudraeth was again the hero for Blaenau today as he firstly equalised to make it 1-1 at half time, Peter Jones having put the Albion in front, then Williams popped in the decider in the 112th minute.

Dean Redmond and Ryan Taylor netted for Bodedern Athletic in a 2-1 success against Prestatyn Sports, Ian Dunn responding, while Llanberis won 5-3 on penalties at Glan Conwy following a 1-1 draw.

Jamie Jones netted for Glan and Aaron Pritchard for the Darans, whose scorers in the shoot-out were Ryan Owen, Tomos Saynor, Dylan Parry, Gethin Wakeham and goalkeeper Louis Williams.

Sam Jones’ 71st minute goal was enough to see Greenfield past St Asaph City 1-0, Ashley Owen’s strike ensured Nantlle Vale triumphed 1-0 at Mynydd Llandegai, Iwan Evans (2), Carl Griffiths, Llion Jones and Gavin Jones were Llanrug United’s hitmen in a 5-0 drubbing of Llandyrnog United and Daniel Clarke and Jake Walker guided Denbigh Town to a 2-1 decision at Penrhyndeudraeth, Liam Watson the home goal-finder.

Cookson Cup quarter-final draw

Denbigh Town v Bodedern Athletic

Holyhead Hotspur v Blaenau Amateurs

Llanberis v Greenfield

Nantlle Vale v Llanrug United

Matches to be played first week in November

Welsh Alliance League

In Division Two, Gaerwen returned to the peak with a 1-0 home victory against neighbours Pentraeth, Iwan Williams with the crucial goal.

Scott Court (2), Mark Cook and Aaron Rogers combined to grab Llandudno Amateurs a 4-3 result at Amlwch Town, Rhys Roberts and Ryan Rowlands (2) for the home side.

Jamie Banks, Dafydd Gwyn (2) and Martyn Smith ensured Pwllheli swept aside Aberffraw 4-0, while Gwalchmai recovered from a goal down to beat nine-man Holyhead Town 3-1 at Maes Meurig.

Gary Jo Owen put Town in front with a penalty, but Paul Rowlands levelled before Corey Sinnott (2, 1 pen) clinched a home success in the second half.

The Harbourmen’s task was always going to be harder after having two players sent off.

Y Felinheli shaded a 4-3 outcome at Llannefydd, Ifan Emyr, Gruff John and Sion Parry (2) with the away goals, Ciran Jones and Llion Morris (2) running the home team close.

Mochdre Sports and Barmouth and Dyffryn played out a 3-3 draw. Peter Bould, Tom Roberts and Bradley Wynne found the net for Sports, Shane Jones (2, 1 pen) and Robert Griffiths hitting back.

Nantlle Vale eliminated Kinmel Bay 4-3 in the Reserves Division Lock Stock Fireworks Challenge Cup.

Sion Rees Jones, Hugh Jones, Iestyn Worth and Alex Kalafusz were the winners’ goal-getters, Connor Jordan, Barry Roche and Anthony Jones replying.

Llanberis defeated Llangefni Town 5-3 in the Reserves Division, Celt Moss (2), Iwan Jones, Ben Bolton and Nathan Ash for the Darans, Deion Owen, William Hughes and Steve Jones firing for the Anglesey side.

Ceirion Williams, Sam Griffiths, Robin Whiteside-Thomas and Gareth Griffiths (2) were Llanrug United’s net-finders in a 5-0 away caning of Pwllheli.