A look back at North Wales’ game of the season so far – Llysfaen in cup sensation…

Nefyn United 3 (Steve Jones 76 & 87, Dylan Sion Jones 90+)
Llysfaen 4 (Sean Sheridan 14, 35, 45, 63)
NWCFA Junior Cup third round – February 22, 2020

The magic of the cup!

While it might not be one of the world’s most prestigious knockout competitions, the North Wales Coast FA Junior Cup still produces more than its share of amazing stories.

Saturday brought one of those. Llysfaen of Vale of Clwyd and Conwy Division One travelled to Gwynedd League giants Nefyn United as massive underdogs, but produced a stunning upset in recording a 4-3 victory.

Playing a team from a level above and far superior in terms of experience of the big occasions, Emlyn Robert Jones’ side achieved the finest result in their history.

It was only a late rally from Nefyn which made the final score look much closer than the tie actually was. By the 63rd minute the visitors were 4-0 up, all the goals coming from their ace marksman Sean Sheridan.

Llysfaen can now look forward to a real glamour clash at home to Bangor 1876 in the quarter-finals.

Newly-formed 1876 are having a stunning season, 16 wins out of 16 in the Gwynedd League and 27 victories in 29 matches in all competitions – with 180 goals scored!

But not even 1876 can match Llysfaen’s achievements this term.

One of just two North Wales teams unbeaten in all competitions so far this season, the Colwyn Bay area side are No1 in terms of stats – 18 matches undefeated, 11 in the league and seven in cups, with three wins over teams from a higher standard.

The March 7 tie at the Banana Pitch will see the Surprise Package of the Season take on the Best Newcomers of 2019-20.

Llysfaen deserve this draw. 1876 have a massive following, so hopefully the game will attract a large crowd and bring the home team some much deserved financial reward.

And so to Saturday at Cae’r Delyn……Nefyn 3 Llysfaen 4 – a result few would have forecast before kick-off.

Beaten just by Bangor 1876 in the Gwynedd League this season, where they currently lie fourth, Nefyn’s only other defeats had come at the hands of much higher-ranked opposition in Bangor City (Welsh Cup) and Denbigh Town (FAW Trophy).

The Penwaig, in turn, has beaten FOUR Welsh Alliance teams in national cups – Llannefydd, Penmaenmawr Phoenix, Llandudno Amateurs and Mynydd Llandegai.

Llysfaen started a little shakily and Nefyn were unfortunate not to be awarded an early penalty.

The deadlock was broken in the 14th minute and it was Llysfaen that drew first blood.

Jake Reynolds delivered a low, whipping cross with his weaker foot into the six-yard box and Sheridan sped in from the opposite wing to prod home past the keeper’s right hand side.

On 35 minutes a defence-splitting delivery from Nathan Russell freed Sheridan, who with his back to goal nonchalantly back-heeled past the keeper. A goal more suited to the Bernabeu than the Bananabeau perhaps!

It was Llysfaen’s turn to have a stonewall penalty turned down when Sheridan was scythed down in the box, and soon after Reynolds went down, but again no spot-kick.

Undeterred, Llysfaen dusted themselves down and right on half time made it 3-0.

Russell was the provider again, releasing Sheridan, who lashed into the roof of the net.

Half-time: Nefyn United 0 Llysfaen 3

Llysfaen had to do some defending at the start of the second half, but come the 63rd minute they were 4-0 up.

Good build-up between brothers Nathan and Jordan Russell saw the latter feed Reynolds, who delivered a lovely high ball to the back post, where Sheridan was on hand to head in his fourth.

It was Sheridan 31st goal of the season and he has scored in his last eight games in succession, amassing an amazing 20 goals in that spell.

Nefyn finally opened their account on 76 minutes through Steve Jones, although it looked like there had been a foul on keeper Cain Folly.

Steve Jones notched another in the 89th minute before the hosts had a player sent off.

It looked all over, but still no final whistle and Dylan Sion Jones struck to make it 4-3.

A few anxious moments for the visitors, but finally the game ended and the underdogs had pulled off a sensational result.

Llysfaen manager Emlyn Robert Jones said: “Absolutely fantastic performance from the lads. We had done our research on Nefyn, from how they play to what to expect from the game, so we felt suitably prepared coming here.

“I can’t fault these lads, I felt they blew them away in that first 45, 50 minutes of the game and up until the last 15 minutes we played some phenomenal stuff. “Credit to Nefyn though, they really threw everything at us and right at the end started to have us on the ropes, but we more then deserved the win.

“I have said since the start of the season with the lads that I wanted Bangor 1876 at the Bananabeau and it’s going to be an experience for them to play on there as well as us for playing a team with such huge backing. I am hoping between the two clubs we can have the Bananabeau absolutely rocking!”

Llysfaen skipper Alec Jones added: “The lads have been brilliant from day one of the season. We’ve had consistency each week and the lads who have had to step in when called upon have done fantastic. The depth we have is great. Morale is high and the team keep producing the results.

“To go 18 games unbeaten this season in all competitions is a massive achievement for us all, but we all need to keep focused, keep working hard and take one game at a time. I’m unbelievably proud of the lads.”

Llysfaen’s Magic 18

2019/20 season

Aug 24: Henllan (h – league) W 7-2 (Sean Sheridan 3, Jake Reynolds 2, Nathan Russell 2)
Aug 31: Llanfairfechan Town Res (h – league) W 2-0 (Jake Reynolds, Nathan Russell)
Sep 7: Llandudno Amateurs Res (h – league) W 2-2 (Alec Jones, Nathan Russell)
Sep 14: Rhyl All Stars (a – league) W 6-4 (Jonathan Jones, Reece Kearney, Sean Sheridan 2, Joshua Williams, Alec Jones)
Oct 5: Rhyl All Stars (h – league) W 14-1 (Nathan Russell 3, Jordan Russell, Jake Reynolds 2, Reece Kearney, Callum Ellis, Henry Taylor 2, Sean Sheridan, James Fallas 2, Alec Jones)
Oct 19: Rhos United (h – President’s Cup R1) W 3-2 (Alec Jones, Reece Kearney, Henry Taylor)
Nov 2: Llanfairfechan Town Reserves (a – league) W 9-1 (Nathan Russell 2, Sean Sheridan 4, Reece Kearney 2, Dan Ashton)
Nov 9: Betws-y-Coed (a – league) W 3-1 (Reece Kearney, Sean Sheridan, Jake Reynolds)
Nov 16: Bro Cernyw (h – President’s Cup R2) W 2-1 (James Fallas, Ashley Holden)
Nov 23: Machno United (h – league) W 4-0 (Sean Sheridan 2, Alec Jones, Reece Kearney)
Nov 30: Llanfairpwll (h – NWCFA Junior Cup R2) 3-1 (Sean Sheridan 2, Reece Kearney)
Dec 7: Henllan (h – REM Jones Cup R1) – won on walkover
Jan 4: Betws-y-Coed (h – league) W 8-0 (Reece Kearney 2, Nathan Russell, Sean Sheridan 2, James Fallas 3)
Jan 11: Denbigh Development (h – league) W 6-0 (Sean Sheridan 4, Jake Reynolds 2)
Jan 18: Llanfairfechan Town Res (REM Jones Cup R2) W 7-1 (Joshua Williams, Reece Kearney 2, Sean Sheridan 3, Jake Reynolds)
Feb 1: Llandudno Amateurs Res (a – league) W 3-3 (Sean Sheridan 2, Reece Kearney)
Feb 8: Llandudno Amateurs Res (a – President’s Cup QF) W 2-0 (Sean Sheridan, Alec Jones)
Feb 22: Nefyn United (a – NWCFA Junior Cup R3) W 4-3 (Sean Sheridan 4)

League: Played 11 Won 9 Drawn 2 Lost 0 Goals for 64 Goals against 14
Cup: Played 7 Won 7 Goals for 21 Goals against 8
Complete record in competitive games:
Played 18
Won 16
Drawn 2
Lost 0
Goals For 85
Goals Against 22

Goalscorers (league and cup – all competitive matches)
31 – Sean Sheridan
13 – Reece Kearney
10 – Nathan Russell
9 – Jake Reynolds
6 – Alec Jones
6 – James Fallas
3 – Henry Taylor
2 – Joshua Williams
1 – Jonathan Jones
1 – Callum Ellis
1 – Dan Ashton
1 – Ashley Holden
1 – Jordan Russell