FAW Amateur Trophy match of the day 4: Llanrwst fight back from 3-1 down to win

FAW TROPHY ROUND THREE

Gwalchmai 3 (C Owen 12, J Rowlands 38 & 61)
Llanrwst United 4 (T Jones 60, Nicolson 72 & 88, Kelly 80)

Trailing 2-0 and 3-1, Llanrwst were heading for a shock exit from the Trophy before a late revival saw them through to the next round.

Tier 4 hosts Gwalchmai maintained their recent improvement with a cracking performance overall, but the patience and persistence of a Roosters team missing key players and fielding seven under-19’s in the squad eventually won the day.

The fact the home team finished the match with nine players did not help their cause. Lack of discipline proved costly.

But at half time Gwalchmai’s talented young side were in command, leading their tier 3 Ardal North West visitors 2-0 thanks to goals from 16-year-old Connor Owen on 12 minutes and Jenson Rowlands, aged just 17, after 38.

Into the second half and Llanrwst halved the deficit on the hour when Tom Jones scored with a low shot after a good run into the box.

Within a minute Liam Ewing’s home side were 3-1 up after Jenson Rowlands took advantage of sloppy defending.

In the 72nd minute, Llanrwst centre-back Chris Nicolson cut the arrears again, scoring from a set-piece situation.

Things were getting tense now and Gwalchmai were down to 10 men on 74 minutes when Dion Owen was red-carded.

The islanders began to feel the pressure even more when substitute Kyle Kelly, just 17, made it three-apiece with a fine finish.

Another set-piece enabled Nicolson to make it 4-3 to the Conwy Valley men on 88 minutes to complete a remarkable turnaround.

To rub salt in the wound, Declan Jones was sent off for Gwalchmai in the 90th minute.

Gwalchmai: Konner Druce, Callum Bulkeley, Harry Jones, Declan Jones, Jordan Rowlands, Darren Roberts, Elliott Breaks, Jenson Rowlands, Connor Owen, Dion Owen, Leo Owen. Subs: Sam Jones, Dyfed Griffiths, Aaron Lewis, Peter Twigg.

Llanrwst: Ryan Williams, Gruffudd Evans, Math Thomas, Chris Nicolson, Gwyn Jones, Sion Sullivan, Tom Jones, Cynan Edwards, Sam Jones, Leighton Griffiths, Benn Lundstram. Subs: Kyle Kelly, Cai Evans, Luke Roberts.