Vale of Clwyd and Conwy League: NFA win a dramatic cup tie, Meliden, Bro and Machno battle through
NFA’s penchant for being involved in dramatic games continued at the weekend as they defeated higher division Cerrigydrudion on penalties in the Normac Precision Engineering JT (Charlie) Jones President’s Cup.
The Division One high flyers advanced to the quarter-finals and a home tie against Llanelwy Athletic after drawing 4-4 with Premier Division Cerrig before then prevailing 3-0 on spot-kicks.
It stood 2-2 after 90 minutes and then 4-4 following the extra half-hour. Tirion Griffiths notched a hat-trick and Llion Jones a single for Cerrig, while the prolific Jordan Taylor hit three for NFA, Nathan Griffiths the other.
Also in the President’s Cup, Division One bottom side Rhyl All Stars produced a fantastic effort to take Premier team Meliden to extra time before going down 3-1.
Meliden missed a host of first-half chances, but led 1-0 at the break thanks to a great goal from Luke Astley.
The second half saw the home team fluff more opportunities and Adam Cassidy levelled the tie with six minutes to go.
Into extra time and Meliden stepped up a gear. Finley Ellam scored from a great header and Scott Stewart made the game safe with a 30-yard rocket to seal a last eight spot, where a home meeting against Llandudno Athletic awaits.
In the Premier Cup, Bro Cernyw progressed to the semis with a 2-1 success against Llandudno Athletic.
A good committed performance from Bro saw two well-taken goals from Lloyd Hubbard, on four and 55 minutes, clinch the win. Lee Stokes hit back for Athletic with a deflected 25-yard drive.
Vale of Clwyd and Conwy League Premier Division
Leaders Rhuddlan Town made it 13 games unbeaten with a hard-fought 4-2 triumph over Llanfairfechan Town.
Matty Rees notched a hat-trick and Ben Smith a single for Wayne Hughes’ side, Iwan Jones and Ryan Lewis responding for Llanfair.
Jones missed a spot-kick for the visitors at 2-1 down in the first half. Late on, Llanfair’s Lewis and Connor Bucknall of Rhuddlan were dismissed following a 20-man melee. A full report on this game appears elsewhere on Grassroots North Wales.
Rhos United versus Abergele was abandoned on 73 minutes following a bad injury to the home keeper. Gele led 1-0 at the time through Kane Williams and on the agreement of both sides, the result will stand.
Keiran Kendrick and Gwion Evans bagged a brace apiece as Llansannan overcame Llanelwy Athletic 5-2, Geraint Jones the other home marksman, Joe Lloyd and Luke Stanley hitting back.
Division One leaders Llysfaen conceded two late goals at Llandudno Amateurs Reserves and had to settle for a 3-3 draw.
Stan Farrell, Mark Cook and Steve Collins notched the Amateurs goals, Sean Sheridan (2) and Reece Kearney for the visitors.
Iestyn Thomas (2) and Ryan Bourne booked Llanfairfechan Town Reserves a 3-2 verdict at Denbigh Development, Morgan Jones and Joel Rowlands replying.
Harry Owen struck four times in Penrhyn Bay Dragons’ 5-3 victory at Henllan, Solomon Dickens also on the scoresheet, while for the hosts, Rhys Bennett, John Owen and Alex Thomas hit the net.
In the REM Jones Cup, Machno United eliminated Betws-y-Coed 4-2, Harry Kirkham (3) and Rob Lloyd combining to see the hosts through, Alex Evans and John Jones supplying the away goals.
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