FAW Amateur Trophy match of the day 4: What a turnaround from Pellegrino’s Penrhyndeudraeth!

FAW AMATEUR TROPHY ROUND ONE

CPD Penrhyndeudraeth 3 (T Hughes 51, A Hughes 64 pen & 82)
Mynydd Llandegai 1 (I Morris 34)

Take a huge bow Penrhyndeudraeth

Just three weeks after being thrashed 7-0 at home by Mynydd Llandegai in the league, Penrhyn bounced back to beat the same opponents 3-1 in the FAW Amateur Trophy on Saturday.

The two games were played just 21 days apart, but the turnaround was remarkable.

After that seven-goal loss at Maes-y-Parc on August 5, Penrhyn manager Riccardo Pellegrino took full responsibility for the performance and apologised to players and supporters on social media.

The players certainly gave their Italian boss the response he was looking for in the return game.

The timing could not have been better, as the 3-1 result came a day after the popular Pellegrino had achieved his UEFA B licence qualification.

Penrhyn started Saturday’s Trophy tie strongly, but were indebted to keeper Iwan Davies for producing a great early save.

While the hosts were playing well, it was a struggle for them to initially create chances and the visitors struck first on 33 minutes.

Adam Griffith cleared a headed effort from a corner, but the ball was volleyed home by Llandegai skipper Iwan Morris.

Home heads did not drop and Penrhyn kept probing for openings, but had no luck before the break.

The Cocklemen knew they had put up a positive first half display and if they could maintain that standard the rewards would come.

And so it proved. Five minutes after the restart a cracking finish from Tom Hughes made it 1-1.

Attacks end-to-end brought neither side a goal until in the 64th minute Pen were awarded a spot-kick for handball after Alun Hughes crossed into the box.

Alun Hughes converted to make it 2-1.

Mynydd earned a penalty of their own on 78 minutes, but Alwyn Roberts’ effort was saved by Iwan Davies.

Now full of belief that this could be their day, Penrhyn made it 3-1 in the 81st minute when Alun Hughes controlled the ball in the box and lashed in his second.

And that sealed a very satisfying result for Pellegrino’s men, who will now eagerly await the draw for the next stage.

TEAMS

PENRHYNDEUDRAETH

Iwan Davies
Harri Davies
Meilir Edwards
Liam Watson
Cedri Jones (c)
Steven Jones
Alun Hughes
How Quaeck
Adam Griffiths
Deio Hughes
Tom Hughes
SUBS USED
Carwyn Foster
Sion Roberts
Guto Roberts

MYNYDD LLANDEGAI

Dafydd Morris
Sion J Bullock
Gethin Jeffreys
Kieron Bullock
Iwan Morris (c)
Sion D Bullock
Aron Thomas
Steven Tindall
Alwyn Roberts
Iestyn Marlow
Tomos Jones
SUBS USED
Idwal Temple Morris
Osian Price
Wyn Morris