Under-pressure 1876 ease worries with Welsh Cup beating of Hotspur, win for Porthmadog

JD WELSH CUP ROUND ONE

Holyhead Hotspur 0 Bangor 1876 4

Going into tonight’s Welsh Cup tie at the New Stadium on the back of four successive defeats, many thought Bangor 1876 could end up on the wrong end of a giant-killing.

They were wrong.

Instead, the Cymru North club put a difficult week behind them and stormed to a four-goal success against tier 3 opposition they have swapped places with this season.

Since last Sunday, three key players – Les Davies, Harry Galeotti and Luke Steele – had all left 1876 and the fans were demanding answers.

They wanted to know the reasons for the sudden departures and were asking in which direction the club was going.

At the end of 90 minutes on Friday evening, the supporters had a more prominent question on their minds – who will we get in the next round?

In an absorbing first 45 minutes on Holy Island, the teams were only separated by a 17th minute goal from Sam Jones.

And it remained 1-0 until the 79th minute, when top-scorer Corrig McGonigle found the net to ensure the visitors placed one foot firmly in round two.

Three minutes later it was all over when McGonigle converted a penalty.

And former Hotspur player Liam Morris delivered the final blow by scoring 1876’s fourth goal with 87 on the clock.

Porthmadog 3 Glantraeth 0

Two late goals clinched Porthmadog a place in round two of the 2023-24 Welsh Cup.

Shaun Cavanagh edged the home side into a 31st minute lead, but despite having plenty of chances, the Cymru North favourites could not put the tie to bed until the closing stages.

It was not until the 84th minute that Cai Jones made it 2-0 and Rhys Alun made ultra sure of Port’s progress with a third goal five minutes into added time.