FAW Trophy: Llannefydd and Holyhead Hotspur into quarter-finals

FAW AMATEUR TROPHY ROUND 6

CPD Llannefydd 3 (S Jones 2, T Jones)
Conwy Borough 1 (Cardias-Williams)

An all-Tier 3 Ardal North West tie saw Llannefydd advance to the quarter finals of the FAW Trophy with an impressive victory over Conwy Borough.

The pitch passed a late inspection at 11am on Saturday, but conditions were very heavy and the surface cut up as the game progressed.

Despite the difficulties underfoot, the hosts settled well and dominated possession in the early stages.

Playing out from the back, Llannefydd created the early chances but it was not until the 28th minute when they created the overload and Tom Jones found brother Sam Jones out on the left and he calmly slotted it beneath the keeper to give the hosts the lead.

Shortly after, Llannefydd had a golden chance to extend the lead when Jack Gronow did well to find himself some space but his shot at the near post was well-saved.

The second half started in similar fashion before the visitors were gifted their equaliser. A heavy touch by keeper Dylan Jones saw him lose his footing in the heavy conditions and Tomas Cardias-Williams was on hand to walk the ball into the empty net.

The playing surface was becoming increasingly tricky and chances were few and far between before Llannefydd grabbed the lead from a set piece.

Sam Jones returned the favour of an earlier assist by finding Tom Jones from his corner and the ball was slammed home from close range.

Eight minutes of injury time were played with chances at both ends before Sam Jones ran clear to finish well and secure the tie. Llannefydd running out 3-1 winners.

Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant 0
Holyhead Hotspur 1 (Parry)

Deian Parry’s 87th minute winner sent Hotspur through to the last eight of the FAW Amateur Trophy.

Darren Garmey’s side kept alive their hopes of repeating the team of 2011-12’s feat by reaching the final of the national competition.

On that occasion, Hotspur lost 2-1 to Sully Sports, but did have the consolation of landing a domestic treble.

Saturday saw Ardal North West travellers Holyhead make the long journey to Powys, where the challenge of fellow tier 3 side Llanrhaeadr of Ardal North East awaited.

Hotspur had fond memories of previous trips to this ground. In the treble season of 2011-12, they won 6-1 at the Recreation Field in the Welsh Cup.

And as recently as 2021-22, the Holy Islanders took the honours 3-0 in the tier 2 Cymru North.

Llanrhaeadr were relegated at the end of that season.

This latest clash was to be much closer, but ultimately produced the same outcome.

It was the visitors who started the stronger and penned Llan back for long periods. However, good defending and last ditch blocks kept Llan in the game.

Just before half time Llan had a good chance to take the lead but Billy Clarke put his shot wide of the far post.

Llan were more competitive in the second half and the game was a far tighter affair. Dyfrig Jones had an excellent reaction save in the 47th minute to keep the game scoreless.

Midway through the second half Llan had a strong penalty claim waved away by the referee.

With the game seemingly going towards penalties, Holyhead clinched the tie three minutes from time.

Dylan Summers-Jones broke down the left and sent in a perfect cross for Parry to finish.

Llanuwchllyn P Bow Street P