Welsh Alliance: Hotspur and Aberffraw reach cup finals, Denbigh close gap in Division One

Holyhead Hotspur stayed on course for a famous quadruple after reaching the Cookson Cup Final with a close-fought 2-1 victory in Saturday’s semi at Greenfield.

Currently five points clear at the Welsh Alliance Division One summit, into the FAW Trophy quarters and the last 16 of the Barritt Cup, the Holy Islanders still have a chance of bettering the achievement of the club’s outstanding treble-winning side of 2011-12.

There is a long way to go before that dream can become a reality, but Darren Garmey’s side booked one final appearance when second half goals from Cory Jones and Chris Jones sealed success at Greenfield.

The Holywell-area hosts led 1-0 at half time courtesy of a fine Ryan Jones header, but the visitors could easily have been level only for the heroics of home keeper Danny Stanton.

Hotspur levelled on 52 minutes when a cross to the back post was headed down for Corey Jones to apply the finish.

Chris Jones’ 17th goal of the season in the 76th minute won the tie. A lob over the keeper came back off the post and the ex-Bangor City attacker snapped up the rebound.

In the Barritt Cup (back to its old name apparently), there was an extraordinary tie at Blaenau Amateurs where visitors Mynydd Llandegai won 6-5 in extra time.

The Quarrymen were 5-3 up at one stage, but Mynydd fought back to make it 5-5 after 90 minutes before clinching victory in the added half-hour.

Meilir Williams and Sion Roberts netted a pair apiece for the hosts, Iwan Griffiths adding a single, but an Osian Jones hat-trick, plus net-finders from Kieran Freeman-Jones and Alwyn Roberts (2) saw Llandegai through. Roberts scored the winner in ET.

Llanrwst United saw off Amlwch Town 5-2, Tom Jones, Benn Lundstram, Leon Doran, Chris Nicolson and an own goal making up the winning total, Tom Wyn Roberts and Luke McGivern with consolations for the Anglesey side.

Joe Soar and Ben Williams bagged the second-half goals which ensured Barmouth and Dyffryn advanced with a 2-0 decision at Mochdre Sports.

Welsh Alliance League action

Denbigh Town went second in Division One, five points behind table-toppers Holyhead Hotspur with equal games played, after a comfortable 4-0 result at Prestatyn Sports.

Jonathan Terry, Jake Walker, Mark Roberts and young debutant Harvey Tattum shared the away goals for Dewi Llion’s side.

Dylan Owen, with a trademark wonderful free kick, Alan Mark Owen and Jonathan Sadler scored in Llanrug United’s very impressive 3-0 success at Bodedern Athletic.

Gwyn Pritchard Jones and Ifan Mansour found the net as Llanberis took the spoils 2-0 at Llandyrnog United, while Penrhyndeudraeth edged a 3-2 outcome at Nantlle Vale.

Cai Henshaw, netting against his former club, Tom Hughes and Adam Griffiths were the Penrhyn marksmen, Mathew Davies and Aaron Thomas responding.

St Asaph City versus Llandudno Albion ended 1-1. Josh Brown struck for Saints, Joel Lloyd levelling late on for the visitors.

Penmaenmawr Phoenix re-established authority at the Division Two pinnacle thanks to a 3-1 win at fellow high-flyers Gaerwen.

Mike Lundstram, Alfie Caldecott and Dan Williams pocketed the crucial away goals, Tim Cavanagh the home hitman.

Luke Appleby’s double was enough for Llannefydd to pip Llandudno Junction 2-1, Jack Nettleton for the Railwaymen.

Ryan Rowlands and Azzy Rogers both delivered doubles as Llandudno Amateurs caned Kinmel Bay 6-1, Aidan Bell and Scott Court both netting one, Ashley Wood registering for the visitors.

Pwllheli and Y Felinheli played out a 2-2 split. Goals from Dafydd Jones and Mark Jones put Pwll in seeming command, but Iwan Owen’s double rescued a point for Felin.

Aberffraw are through to the Lock Stock Division Two Cup Final after beating Gwalchmai 2-0, Gary Bolton and Nathan Moore with the goals to seal Berffro a date against Pwllheli in the showpiece.