Pride of the North produce stunning comeback to qualify for Uefa Regions Cup

UEFA Regions’ Cup Play-Off second leg

Cymru South 2 (Aiden Lewis 39, 49)
Cymru North 4 (Liam Morris 55, Jamie Cumming 67, Dylan Allshorn 79, Jake Cooke 85)

(Cymru North won 4-2 on aggregate)

Report: cymrufootball.wales

Holyhead Hotspur, Ruthin Town and Holywell Town players shared the goals as Cymru North staged a dramatic second-half comeback to beat Cymru South 4-2 in the play-off second leg and book themselves a place in the UEFA Regions’ Cup.

Cymru South skipper Aiden Lewis had put the home side in a convincing position in Briton Ferry with two goals either side of half time after a goalless draw in the first leg at Denbigh Town.

But Cymru North hit back with two goals in the space of 13 minutes through Hotspur’s Liam Morris and Jamie Cumming of Ruthin.

Holywell’s awesome Dylan Allshorn then put the away side ahead for the first time with 11 minutes left on the clock and fellow Wellman Jake Cooke delivered the knockout blow late on to ensure his side will fly the flag for Cymru in the intermediate round stage of the UEFA competition later this year.

Lewis came close to breaking the deadlock for Cymru South inside the 15th minute when his well-struck volley forced a strong save out of goalkeeper Rob Dascalu.

Allshorn, who missed the first leg through illness seven days earlier, caused problems for the home defence down the left and almost set up the opener, but his dangerous delivery evaded two team-mates in the area.

The hosts took the lead six minutes before half time as Lee Baldock ventured forward and teed up Lewis, who rifled a shot off the underside of the crossbar.

It saw his side take a 1-0 lead into the half-time interval and they began on the front foot after the break.

After being brought down on the edge of the area by a high boot, Lewis stepped up to take the free-kick and beat Dascalu with the aid of a deflection off the wall.

Cymru North responded six minutes later as Meilir Williams found Morris, who kept his composure in the area before firing a low shot into the bottom corner beyond goalkeeper Morgan Davies.

The away side then drew level 13 minutes later when a long throw from Chris Cathrall caused problems in the penalty area and Cumming got the final touch.

Cymru North got in front for the first time when Allshorn fired home at the near post and then Cooke made it 4-2 from a tight angle to ensure there would be no way back for Cymru South.

What happens next?

Cymru North now face three fixtures – against Sweden, Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic – in the intermediate round stage of the UEFA Regions’ Cup in October 2022, with Cymru placed in Group 4.

Northern Ireland has been selected as the country to host Cymru’s three games after a draw was conducted by UEFA in December.

Cymru North

Rob Dascalu (Llanuwchllyn), Jake Cooke (Holywell Town), Chris Cathrall (C – Guilsfield), Jordan Carrington (Colwyn Bay), Sam Rickett (Ruthin Town), Jamie Cumming (Ruthin Town), Liam Morris (Holyhead Hotspur – Jake Jones, Chirk AAA 87), Matty Hill (Ruthin Town), Dylan Allshorn (Holywell Town – Khyam Wyton, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant 83), Callum Parry (Llanrwst United – Meilir Williams, Conwy Borough 46), Cai Roberts (Holyhead Hotspur). Subs: Cameron Darling (Buckley Town), Gari Owen (Llangefni Town), Jamie Hyne (Guilsfield).