Welsh Cup extra: Caerwys v Llanelwy and Mountain Rangers v Nefyn United
Caerwys 3 (Keion Davies, Ethan Farren, Callum Pritchard)
Llanelwy Athletic 5 (Dan Price 3, Dan Porter, Ste Kirk)
A new-look Caerwys managed by the experienced Eddie Barry suffered a disappointing Welsh Cup exit on Saturday, reports Steve Griffith.
An all-tier 5 battle saw the North East Wales League Championship hosts welcome North Wales Coast East Division One opponents to Lon-yr-Ysgol.
The visitors took advantage of some poor defending to go 3-0 up through Dan Price (2) and a Dan Porter corner which beat the keeper at his front post. Caerwys were slow to move the ball and close the opposition down.
There were ample opportunities for the home side to shoot and get good balls into the box but numerous deliveries from the right wing were poor. Dylan Mackie worked hard but lacked support.
The second half display from Caerwys was much improved and Callum Pritchard reduced the arrears after a good free kick by Lewis Harrison.
The home team hit the post moments later but a breakaway resulted in a goal against the run of play from an Ashley Hughes cross which met with a towering header from Ste Kirk.
The introduction of veteran Richard Hughes had a major impact for Caerwys with Nick Voyle thrown up front in the last 20 minutes. This paid off with goals from Keion Davies and Ethan Farren as Caerwys threatened a fightback.
Voyle’s far post header would have been just reward but went agonisingly over the bar. Ryan Jones had a couple of chances but was thwarted by the Llanelwy keeper and in the closing stages Price scored again for the visitors to seal the tie.
This was a much improved performance from the previous match and manager Barry was pleased with the second half effort.
Mountain Rangers 1 Nefyn United 3
Tier 5 hosted tier 4 in Saturday’s Welsh Cup clash at Cae Gors, but such was the fine performance of underdogs Mountain Rangers it was hard to distinguish between the two levels.
After the previous weekend’s 5-0 opening day league loss at Bontnewydd, Rangers looked a different outfit against a Nefyn team which finished second to Bangor 1876 a couple of seasons ago.
The 3-1 scoreline did not reflect the game as home striker Alan Mark Owen hit the crossbar twice, once from a header and then a sweet volley. Declyn Williams also smacked the woodwork from a free kick in second half.
Nefyn took the lead on 25 minutes through Ifan Jones. Rangers had their best chance of the half when a free kick was floated over and it missed several players before Josh Hughes found himself unmarked at the far post, only to see his attempt go the wrong side of the goal.
In the second half Rangers started brightly. Sam Williams causing problems for the Nefyn defence was rewarded after he was fouled in the box to give the hosts a penalty, which Simon Kay slotted into the keeper’s right corner on 55 minutes.
Game on at 1-1 – can Rangers pull off an upset ?
The home team started to get on top and create the best chances, young Cai Jones causing the Penwaig defence problems with his direct running.
Alan Mark Owen tested keeper Tristan Harrison, who received the MOTM award for his outstanding display.
Nefyn scored their second goal from a nothing ball which Kay, who was outstanding as centre back, tried to head away for a corner only to see the ball loop over keeper Luke Davies and into the net on 66 minutes.
Rangers heads did not drop and they rallied again and took the game to a well-organised Nefyn team.
Tough-tackling goal scoring midfielder Marc Bych Williams, Osian Hughes-Jones and towering Irfon Hughes all came on to try to disrupt the Penwaig rearguard, but on 89 minutes Nefyn broke away to score the third from good wing play by Carl Jones to make it 3-1 and break Rangers hearts.