Giant-killing 1: Dramatic Welsh Cup comeback wins day for Llysfaen

WELSH CUP QUALIFYING ROUND ONE

CPD Llansannan 2 (L Jones 23, G Roberts 66)
Llysfaen 3 (Fallas 87, Sheridan 88 & 90+2)

After falling 2-0 behind, three goals in the closing minutes from tier 5 underdogs Llysfaen created arguably the most romantic Welsh Cup story of the weekend.

Games like this show why grassroots football can always enjoy a love affair with the Welsh Cup.

It is highly unlikely any team from the bottom two tiers will ever get further than, say, the second round proper at best, yet the early stages of the national competition can throw up so many memorable occasions.

They may have killed a big part of the Welsh Cup’s prestige when they banned the Football League clubs from Wales and other exiles from the competition after 1994-95, but the name alone and the drama it can produce will always keep some of the magic alive.

And so today, with tier 4 North Wales Coast East Premier Division side Llansannan getting dumped out late by Emlyn Robert Jones’ Division One outfit Llysfaen.

The Bananabeau club had form in causing Welsh Cup shocks – just two seasons ago they knocked out tier 4 Gwalchmai – however, life had been largely a struggle for them since.

But with new faces joining, and a fresh outlook for 2023-24, things are looking more optimistic for the Colwyn By area village team.

Llansannan took a 23rd minute lead through Lewys Jones, then looked well set for the next round when Gruffudd Roberts made it 2-0 after 66.

However, the scoreline was somewhat deceptive, as Llysfaen had missed some great chances, including striking the woodwork four times in all.

The tide began to turn on 87 minutes when substitute Lee Fallas finished off from an assist by fellow replacement Ashley Black.

Then a minute later it was 2-2 after midfield sub Sam Rogerson set up Sean Sheridan to make it two-apiece.

There was no stopping Llysfaen now and in added time, with penalties looming, that man Sheridan did it again, Dan Batey with the assist.

Definitely one of the finest results in Llysfaen’s recent history.

Manager Jones said after the game: “Made hard work of that, I felt we could have been 3 or 4 up at half time, but we were really wasteful in front of goal.

“We certainly created more chances in both halves, although leading up to Llansannan’s second goal we were struggling to get a grip of the game.

“Our subs today were all influential, helping change the game. Sam Rogerson came into the middle and calmed things at a time we needed a calm foot on the ball, Ash Black got the opposition full back on the back foot and was huge for the first goal and Lee’s pace off the bench was crucial at exploiting their full backs.

“Nibz and Ben also came on and gave us some really good play. We’ve got some depth in this squad now and lads are pushing one another now.

“Like I said we made really hard work of it but I’ve banged on about mentality with this group. They don’t know when they’re done.”