Harrison Bellis led the way with another hat-trick as Y Glannau booked a tough trip to Bontnewydd in the Junior Cup quarter-finals with a hard-earned win at Llysfaen.
Saturday’s tie at the Bananabeu had it all – six goals, two red cards and three penalties.
Both keepers made great stops, but were also penalised for giving away a penalty each.
The hero in the end was Glannau stand-in stopper Osian Williams, who took over the gloves after regular goalkeeper Brad Wright was sent off for a second yellow card on 57 minutes – and immediately saved a pen.
In a flying start, Y Glannau went one-up on four minutes when home keeper Jack Williams miss-kicked and Bellis pounced to tap home.
The next attack and Bellis was clean through, but his effort flew straight at the keeper – a huge let off for Llysfaen.
On 10 minutes, the away side doubled their lead with the move of the match, Luke Stanley finishing off after Joey Fontana, Chris McQuillen and Bellis all played their part in a great build-up.
Llysfaen then hit their opponents on the break and were awarded a clear penalty after a foul by keeper Wright. Up stepped Dan Batey to make it 2-1 with just 14 minutes played.
Suddenly, play became fragmented and little happened in the way of chances before three minutes prior to the break, Josh MacGillivray was taken out by the Llysfaen keeper as he rose for a header.
Bellis took the penalty, but Jack Williams saved superbly.
Seconds before half time, Tom Collier broke through to finish well and make it two-apiece at the turnaround – game on!
Llysfaen began the second half the better, Wright forced to make a good early stop to deny Batey.
Then, drama!
On the hour, Glannau glovesman Wright came out to collect the ball and there was a late challenge on him by a player who was already on a yellow,
An angry Wright pushed the player, the referee awarded a penalty to Llysfaen and showed a second yellow card to the Glannau keeper.
Left-back Osian Williams took over between the posts and with his first task saved Batey’s penalty.
Even though the visitors were down to 10 men this gave everyone a lift.
Three minutes after missing the penalty, Batey was sent off for a second bookable offence – kicking the ball away.
The game was once again back in the balance.
From the free kick Batey conceded, Glannau restored their lead. The ball in was played to the back post, Kyle Hedge headed back across the goal and Bellis was there to tap in.
In the 75th minute the St Asaph-based travellers killed the tie off.
A clever quick free kick from MacGillivray saw him find Bellis, who turned sharply and lashed the ball home for his 29th goal of the 2023-24 season.
NWCFA JUNIOR CUP QUARTER-FINALS
Bontnewydd v Y Glannau
Bow v Gaerwen
Llandudno Amateurs v Blaenau Ffestiniog
Llanystumdwy v CPD Boded/Llanfairpwll
Ties to be played: Saturday, November 11
A run of seven straight defeats for Abergele ended when they pipped bottom side Rhuddlan 2-1 thanks to a 90th minute winner.
Ellis Trubshaw put the visitors ahead on five minutes and it stayed 1-0 until 36 gone when Connah Atkinson levelled, James Christopher Lloyd with the assist.
The game looked destined for a draw until Atkinson made it 2-1 in the final minute of normal time.
It was a sickener for Rhuddlan, who had Arran Hands red-carded in added time.
Joy for Junction as they edged up to third after handing Cerrig a first league defeat of the campaign.
Dean Seager struck first for the Railwaymen on five minutes, but it was one-each at half time after Tomos Tryfan Jones equalised after 27.
Junction took control after the break when Jack Nettleton put them in front on 55, then Jack Williams made it 3-1 on the hour.
Seager bagged his second and Harry Kirkham added number five before Tomos Watkin Jones notched a consolation for Cerrig, who had Delwyn Jones dismissed for a second yellow on the 90.
An astonishing game at Cae Nant saw Llandyrnog fight back from four-down to level at 4-4, only to be beaten by a late visiting goal direct from a corner.
Thomas Croston, Osian Roberts and an Elliot Croston double put Llanfairfechan 4-0 to the good before Ben Green replied for Dyrny just before half time.
The second half saw a David Lawson-Cooke pair and Joel Rowlands single make it all-square with 16 minutes to go.
However, in the 88th minute, a hat-trick effort from a flag-kick by Elliot Croston won the game.
Dion Lloyd was a hat-trick hero for a Glan Conwy outfit which sits third and just three points off the top-two after seeing off Henllan.
Lloyd netted on 35, 59 and 85 minutes, as well as laying on the opening goal for Trefor Jones.
Joe Jones scored five as Llandudno Amateurs moved level on points with top side Bow after a 12-1 hammering of Caer Clwyd.
Jordan Tidswell (2), Azz Rogers (2), Mike Chapman, McKenzie Slaven and Ant Tidswell made up the rest of the dozen, Francis Roberts with a consolation for the visitors.
Victory for Penrhyn Bay thanks to goals from Frazer Holness and Morgan Gresty.
Ashley Garrett responded for Wanderers midway through the second half.
Callum Foster was shown a late red card for the visitors.
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