Vale of Clwyd and Conwy League: Llysfaen spring cup upset with late winner

Llysfaen achieved one of their finest-ever wins as they fought back from a goal behind to beat higher division Bro Cernyw 2-1 and reach the quarter-finals of the Vale of Clwyd and Conwy League President’s Cup.

Emlyn Robert Jones’ side, undefeated in Division One with 43 goals in seven matches, celebrated wildly after Ashley Holden’s bizarre but beautiful 87th minute decider put paid to Premier visitors Bro at the Bananabeau.

A defensive error allowed Cernyw to score first through Osian Roberts on 13 minutes and it remained 1-0 up to the break with Llysfaen unable to find their rhythm.

The second half saw the hosts come out quicker, beginning to build the foundations for a comeback, but keeper Cain Folly was called into action with an outrageous save after 65 minutes, tipping the ball over the bar from a well-hit shot he had no right to get to.

James Fallas was introduced after 69 minutes and it was not long before he made his mark. Just four minutes after taking the field, Fallas pounced on a rebound to make it all-square.

Soon after Fallas almost made it 2-1, beating the keeper with a decent effort only to see the ball ping off the post.

Extra time loomed before three minutes from the end Sean Sheridan was brought down just outside the box.

Jake Reynolds’ free kick hit the wall, the visitors attempted to clear but Holden’s deep cross somehow found its way over the goal-line.

After the final whistle, a delighted Llysfaen manager Jones said: “That’s one of my favourite victories as manager of this club.

“Not for the style of football we played, or the fact it was a team flying high in the division above, purely and simply because of the dogged determination, never say die attitude we showed in a game where we didn’t play at our best, especially the first 45 minutes.

“We seemed heavy-legged in the first half as well as being second to everything, but the second half we dug deep, got back into the game and pulled it off.

“The pressure we put on them, especially for the last 20 minutes was phenomenal and I am genuinely proud of the comeback this group showed today, especially missing such huge players as Alec Jones, Nathan Russell and Henry Taylor to name but three.

“The strength in depth we have here is what’s spurring everyone on to do better.”