MATCH OF THE DAY – FAW Amateur Trophy: Famous win for Llanystumdwy over higher-tier opponents

FAW AMATEUR TROPHY QUALIFYING ROUND
CPD Llanystumdwy 3 Menai Bridge Tigers 3 (Llanystumdwy won 5-3 on penalties)

For the second time in three matches this season Llanystumdwy progressed to the next round of a national knockout on penalties.

On July 27, the Tier 4 North Wales Coast West Premier Division side got past CPD Gronant 5-3 on spot-kicks in the Welsh Cup after a 1-1 draw.

And on Saturday, Llan turned giant-killers as they eliminated Tier 3 side Menai Bridge Tigers on pens following a 3-3 draw.

This result has to rank as one of Sion Parry’s side’s finest ever as it is believed they had never defeated a team from the third-tier before.

And player-manager Parry played a huge role at both ends of the pitch.

A prolific marksman who has taken on the stand-in goalkeeper’s position during early season, Parry both saved one kick and converted one in the shoot-out.

Ironically, Menai Bridge were renowned upset merchants last season as a Tier 4 outfit, knocking CPD Y Rhyl 1879 out of the Welsh Cup and seeing off Radnor Valley in the FAW Amateur Trophy – both on penalties away from home.

On Saturday, it was Llanystumdwy who were underdogs but the hosts struck first on 27 minutes through Iolo Jones.

Leon Owens levelled on the half-hour via an assist from Dean Redmond, who then made it 2-1 to the visitors in the 37th minute, Sion Hogan laying on the goal.

Just before the hour the home side equalised, 18-year-old Huw Evens on target, Rhodri Jones the provider.

The tension rose when sub Darren Parry put Llan 3-2 to the good, but the islanders forced penalties after Callum Thomas made it all-square again on 83.

Spot-kicks went to 4-3 Llanystumdwy – Owen Pritchard, Parry, Guto Griffith and Stuart Rogers netting for the hosts and Elliot Breaks, Redmond and Owens putting their away for Tigers before Parry saved from Paul Rowlands.

Guto Roberts then knocked in the winning kick.

Llanystumdwy will be home to Llanberis in the next round.

TEAMS

Llanystumdwy

Sion Parry
Iwan Emlyn
Kyle Williams
Guto Roberts
Stuart Rogers
Iolo Jones (Morgan Edwards 70)
Huw Evens (Hywel Morgan 80)
Guto Griffith
Rhodri Jones (Tomos Williams 70)
Owen Pritchard
Ceiron Jones (Darren Parry 55)
Unused sub
Gruffudd Sion

Menai Bridge Tigers

Ben Heald
Tom Parry (George Roberts 70)
Jamie Ryan Jones
Elliot Breaks
Dean Redmond
Tomos Hughes
Callum Thomas
Kelvin Frazer (Paul Rowlands 56)
Leon Owens
Sion Hogan (c)
Cai Evans
Unused subs
Callum Davidson
Jamie McDaid

FAW AMATEUR TROPHY ROUND ONE DRAW

NORTH WEST
CPD Boded v Llanuwchllyn
CPD Cefni v Llanfairfechan Town
Conwy Borough v Nantlle Vale
Llangoed and District v Pwllheli
Llanrwst United v Cemaes Bay
Llanystumdwy or Menai Bridge Tigers v Llanberis
Mochdre Sports v Bethesda Rovers
Penmaenmawr Phoenix v Llanrug United
Pentraeth v Bethesda Athletic
Porthmadog v Holyhead Hotspur
Trearddur Bay v Gwalchmai

NORTH EAST
Brickfield Rangers v Llangollen Town
Cefn Albion v CPD Gronant
Chirk AAA v Mynydd Isa
Kinmel Bay v Rhuddlan Town
Llandyrnog United v Cerrigydrudion
Llannefydd v Corwen
Llansannan v Bow
Overton Recreational v Lex XI
Plas Madoc v Acton
FC Queen’s Park v Connah’s Quay Town
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 v Coedpoeth United