FAW Amateur Trophy – Denbigh Town, Bangor 1876, Rhos Aelwyd, Nantlle Vale and Llanberis all advance

FAW AMATEUR TROPHY ROUND FOUR REPORTS – NOVEMBER 19

Denbigh Town 6 Rockspur 1

Jake Walker was a hat-trick star as Denbigh proved they are a team to be reckoned with in the Trophy by hitting last season’s semi-finalists Rockspur for six.

Despite playing in the fifth-tier Swansea Senior League Division One, the visitors were not to be taken lightly, having won their domestic treble in 2021-22, but opting to remain at the same level this term rather than go up.

Town created some early chances, but it took them until the 26th minute to break the deadlock.

Nathan Brown broke free into the box only to be hauled down, giving the referee no option but to point to the spot.

Walker stepped up to take the penalty, making no mistake to put Denbigh 1-0 up.

The tier 3 Ardal North West hosts were up and running and on 32 minutes, Brown’s pinpoint corner found Ben Lockley on the edge of the box and his towering header gave the keeper no chance to make it 2-0.

Three minutes later, Walker grabbed his second, smashing a volley from a Lockley cross in off the crossbar.

On 38 minutes, the home side put the game to bed, Harry Lockley’s cross-cum-shot deceiving Mathew Martin in the Rockspur goal, cannoning back into play off the far post into the path of the advancing Paul Fleming to slot home Denbigh’s fourth.

HALF TIME: Denbigh Town 4 Rockspur 0

Seven minutes into the second half, Walker completed his hat-trick with a stunning left-foot shot from the edge of the box.

With a league fixture against CPD Y Rhyl 1879 next Friday evening, Denbigh manager Dewi Llion used the scoreline to give an early bath to a few players, bringing Danny Clarke and Kristian Pierce into the fray to replace hat-trick man Walker and Sion Jones.

A further change was made on 63 minutes, Fleming going off and youngster Ben Allis coming on.

Rockspur pulled a goal back on 69 minutes through Gareth Morrell despite keeper Aaron Jones’ valiant efforts to prevent the ball from crossing the line.

Denbigh grabbed their sixth on 83 minutes, Clarke setting up youngster Allis, who netted from close range to secure a last 16 place.

CPD Aberffraw 1 Nantlle Vale 3

Regular upset merchants Aberffraw found tier 3 high-flyers Nantlle Vale a bridge too far on this occasion, but the Anglesey side still put up a very creditable show at Cae Cynlas.

Richard Jones gave the visitors a 15th minute lead, but just a single goal separated the sides at half time.

Two goals in as many minutes early in the second half from Nantlle settled the tie.

Ashley Owen made it 2-0 on 54 minutes and Aled Williams added another after 56.

Kyle Murphy hit back for Berffro on 69, but that was the end of the scoring.

Bangor 1876 4 Llay Welfare 1

Les Davies delivered a hat-trick as 1876 advanced to the last 16, but the final scoreline somewhat flattered the hosts.

After a difficult start Llay made a real good contest of it, as they had when drawing 2-2 in the league at Treborth earlier in the season.

The tier 3 Ardal North West leaders made the breakthrough after eight minutes, some pinball in the penalty area presenting an opportunity for Davies to fire in the opener.

After 11 minutes, Sion Edwards doubled the advantage with a finish from a relatively tight angle.

In the 18th minute, 1876 won a penalty which Davies converted.

At this stage, it looked as if the hosts might run up a cricket score, but this was not the case.

Llay came back determinedly and did not concede for more than 50 minutes until, in the 69th, Davies completed his treble with a towering header from an Edwards delivery.

The visitors put a lot of effort into the game and it was no more than they deserved when Rhys Lloyd headed in a 77th minute consolation goal.

Bethesda Athletic 2 Penydarren Seniors BGC 5

Bethesda’s interest in the 2022-23 Trophy ended after experienced Ardal South West outfit Penydarren proved why they are a team to watch in the competition.

North Wales Coast West Premier leaders Pesda took a second-minute lead via a Benn Lundstram penalty, but Alex Long levelled the game and by the quarter-hour Chris Colvin had nudged the away side in front.

Bethesda bounced back, though, when Osian Hughes made it 2-2 before half time.

The tie was in the balance but Penydarren held the edge in the second period.

Harri Moyle made it 3-2 on 53 minutes, then Pesda’s chances suffered further when Gari Wyn Owen was red-carded, somewhat unfortunately, after 79.

This probably was a key turning point as the Merthyr Tydfil visitors went on to score more two goals via subs Aarran Caffell and George Kabza.

Hakin United 5 Trearddur Bay 0

Facing the Pembrokeshire League Division One champions without top-scorer Asa Thomas already made this an uphill task for Anglesey travellers Trearddur Bay.

And the fact fellow tier 5 outfit Hakin were also on top form made life even more difficult for Nick Dumbarton’s side.

Having already knocked out three higher-level teams from the Trophy this season, the North Wales Coast West Division One visitors had nothing to fear, but they were in deep bother following early goals from Hakin’s Shane Walsh and Justin Harding.

Eight minutes into the second half, things got a whole lot tougher when Bay had assistant-manager Mel McGinness red carded.
Adam John added a double and Ben Aldred bagged a fifth before the end. Trearddur have plenty of other fish to fry this season.

Mochdre Sports 0 Llanberis 2

A well organised and coached Llanberis side deservedly took their place in the last 16 after this all tier-four clash..

A goal early on in either half and some fantastic defending and goalkeeping against a late Mochdre push was enough for the visitors to advance to the next round.

Ifan Mansoor and Ryan Owen were on target for the Darans.

Nefyn United 1 South Gower 1 (South Gower won 11-10 on penalties)

Heartbreaking stuff at Cae’r Delyn for the Penwaig.

Nefyn led through a third-minute own goal from Jason Heath until in the 88th Bruno Morris equalised for the tier 4 West Wales Premier League leaders.

This led to a lengthy penalty shoot-out which amounted to a second round of kickers starting before South Gower prevailed 11-10.

RTB Ebbw Vale 1 Rhos Aelwyd 2

Ardal North East will definitely be represented in the last 16 through the shape of Rhos Aelwyd, heroic 2-1 victors down in South Wales.

Aled Parry’s side came out on top at their Ardal South East opponents thanks to a James Haynes double.

Aelwyd started brightly and created a few decent chances but were unable to convert.

However, they found their opener on 19 minutes when good work from Scott Reeves on the left hand side created space for Haynes, who slotted the ball through the keeper’s legs to make it 1-0.

Rhos pressed to win possessiong back from kick off and added a quick second with James Rumsey playing a fantastic through ball for Haynes to get his second of the game.

Ebbw Vale responded to make it 2-1 soon after through Tomas Lynch.

The second half was a real battle, and Vale piled on the pressure to find the equaliser, but the Rhos defence held firm.

Special mention to player-manager Aled Parry, who dominated in midfield and passed the ball intelligently around the pitch all game.