Having lost 18-1 to Lex in the Mike Beech Memorial Trophy last month, Johnstown did remarkably well to restrict the same opponents to a 2-1 victory in the Horace Wynne on Saturday.
Although the Lawmen played much of the encounter in the opposition half, Johnstown defended resolutely and had a great game plan after their heavy defeat four weeks earlier as they stifled the home team’s attacking threats.
Man of the match was Johnstown goalkeeper Lee Pritchard who made some outstanding saves and commanded his box superbly.
Jason Edwards put Lex in front after seven minutes, but Christopher Jones equalised on 19 and it stayed 1-1 up to the break.
Alan Huxley, who scored 10 the last time he faced Johnstown, had to be content with one on this occasion, but it proved to be the goal which won the tie in the 63rd minute.
Having won one tough battle in beating Connah’s Quay Town in the previous round, the Park overcame another difficult hurdle in the shape of New Brighton to reach the quarter-finals of the Horace Wynne.
Dave Evans’ visiting side started the brightest and grabbed an early lead when Chad Humphreys flicked home brilliantly from a corner.
The small and unpredictable surface meant both sides were forced into a more aerial game than they would have desired
The first half finished with a 1-0 scoreline and on the balance of play the Park just edged it.
The second half was very similar but the Park started to create more opportunities. Mikey Latham was finding more room and the half of the pitch he was operating in favoured more attacking play.
Soon a long ball forward was expertly flicked on by the livewire Jack Hanley to Latham.
With the ball at his feet, Latham was able to avoid a strong tackle from the centre-half and then expertly rolled the ball around the oncoming keeper to give himself a tough angle to score with his weaker foot.
Credit to NBV, they went straight on the front foot and within minutes had pulled a goal back through Matthew Davies from a well-worked corner.
A number of substitutions were made by the visitors and one replacement, Leroy Ngema, curled a delightful strike against the post.
The Park were defending well with keeper Josh Edwards taking all the sting out of the game with some quality handling of corners and set pieces.
A tiring visiting side managed to hold out for the win.
Visitors Greenfield were made to battle hard for their victory in an entertaining tie.
Ryan Jones (2), Lewis Williams, Matty Bennett and Ben Sim shared the away goals, Thomas Booth, Sam Henry and Hector Leitao keeping the Steelmen in it.
Six first-half goals from Ben Hughes made sure this game was over as a contest by the interval.
Hughes delivered a double hat-trick with goals on 15, 32, 35, 36, 45 and 45+3 minutes.
Nathan Griffith added a seventh early in the second half.
Benjamin Bailey and Daniel Woosey led the way with five and four goals respectively for overwhelming winners Castell Alun.
Joshua Price weighed in with a hat-trick and Luca Nardo added a single. Robbie Humphreys claimed a consolation for the visitors.
Nicholas McCormick’s 85th minute strike was sufficient to send Coedpoeth into the last eight.
Penalties were needed to settle this argument between two Championship Division heavyweights.
Caerwys led through Matthew Gilsenan’s 23rd minute goal, but Andrew Swarbrick levelled for Rovers early in the second half.
No further goals so it went to spot-kicks and Dan Kebell put away the winning pen, the shoot-out finishing 6-5 to Ruabon.
Dean Disley, Kieran Barratt and Jake Johnson provided the goals that mattered for Ferry, Tom Chamberlain with Holywell’s sole reply.
John Coady bagged the goals on 13 and 62 minutes which ensured Connah’s Quay went top of the Premier.
Jack Radford (3, 1 pen), Terry Nicholas (2) and Shane Wellings shared the goals which brought maximum points for Sychdyn, Jack Verburg responding for the hosts.
Late drama at Overton with all the goals coming in the last five minutes.
Steven Kirk (85 min) and an Aidan Bell penalty on 88 looked to have sealed the points for Gronant, but two goals in a minute from Oliver Nelson rescued a point for the hosts.
Sean Price and Ryan Lancelotte both picked up hat-tricks for dominant table-toppers Queen’s Park Reserves.
Daniel Roberts and Matthew Bithell added two apiece, while there were single goals from Liam Lawrence and Joey Jones (pen).
Owen Davies’ strike three minutes over the 90 won this close-fought clash for hosts Penyffordd.
Alyn Roberts and David Stewart struck either side of half time for the Lions, while Adam Burgess and Jamie Heath ensured Llay entered injury time level before Davies made the difference.
ARDAL NORTH EAST - APRIL 4, 2026 Cefn Albion 1 (Alex Williams pen 21) Dolgellau AA…
Wrexham captain Jodie Bartle celebrates with her team mates after the final whistle last Sunday.…
FIXTURES - SUNDAY, APRIL 5 FAW YOUTH CUP FINAL (at Go Goodwins Stadium, Llandudno 2.30…
TODAY'S NEWS WITH SHAUN BEST Broughton United's North East Wales League Division 1 title hopes…
Declan McManus (11) makes it 2-0 to Bangor City 1876 at Felinheli. Picture: MATT JOHNSON…
With 8 goals in 4 ties so far, Charlie Griffith will be a key man…