NWCFA Junior Cup quarter-finals: Wins for Llansannan, Abergele and Menai Bridge

Llansannan celebrate their third goal against Trearddur Bay Bulls. Picture: Wynne Evans

NWCFA Junior Cup quarter-finals

Talysarn Celts 1 Menai Bridge Tigers 2

Menai Bridge Tigers are into the semi finals

Record eight-time Junior Cup winners Menai Bridge stayed on course for a ninth success in the 125-year-old competition with an excellent victory at fellow Gwynedd League outfit Talysarn.

Having already beaten Celts twice this season, the Anglesey visitors went into today’s tie with confidence, but it was the hosts who struck first.

Slack defending allowed Talysarn through and Glyn Thomas applied the finish to break the deadlock.

On the stroke of half time it was all-square. Talysarn defended an initial corner, but showing great control, Dave Baston slid in Dafydd Healy to calmly slot past the keeper.

Just after the interval the islanders went 2-1 up. Callum Graves drove a 40-yard free kick up to Baston, who with a lovely touch foiled the two opposing centre halves and then netted into the bottom corner.

Talysarn pressed and pressed for an equaliser, while the Bridge still looked dangerous on the counter.

Menai keeper Dion Lewis saved a penalty in the 70th minute and kept out a ferocious free kick on the 90.

The Bridge now host Abergele in the semis on April 4.

Llansannan 3 Trearddur Bay Bulls 2

Anton Williams (right – all grey) scores Trearddur’s second. Picture: Wynne Evans

Vale of Clwyd and Conwy League Premier Division side Llansannan edged past the Bulls in what was a game of two halves at the Llan Siro.

Euros Lloyd and Kieran Kendrick scored in the first half for Sannan, who dominated the opening 45 minutes and led 2-0 at the changeover.

Justin Williams pulled one back for the Anglesey visitors, who were the better side after the break.

Liam Wyn Jones grabbed what turned out to be a crucial third for the hosts, Anton Williams’ reply for the travellers not enough to save their skins.

After the match, Llansannan manager Tom Lewis said: “Brilliant game, absolutely delighted to beat one of the best sides at our level.”

Sannan now face a major test in the semi-finals at Bangor 1876 on April 4.

Abergele 4 Llangoed and District 3

Aerial action from Abergele (stripes) v Llangoed. Picture: Richard Gregson

Three-times Junior Cup winners Abergele kept their hopes of a fourth triumph alive thanks a wonder show from four-goal hero Dominic Holland.

Gele were made to work hard, though, by a Llangoed outfit who pushed all the way to upset the home team’s plans.

The Vale of Clwyd and Conwy League Premier Division hosts led 3-0 and 4-1, but Llangoed never gave in.

Matty Owen netted in the first half for the Gwynedd League travellers with a lovely volley, Jamie Roberts headed in from a corner and a long range beauty from Sam Gregson kept the Anglesey side in contention.

Only a super save denied Gregson an equaliser, then Llangoed scored from a late corner, but extra time was denied them as the ‘goal’ was ruled out for an alleged push on the keeper.