NWCFA Junior Challenge Cup – wins for Rhos United, Blaenau and Swifts, plus round 1 draw

NWCFA JUNIOR CHALLENGE CUP ROUND ONE REPORTS

Rhos United 5-3 CPD Cefni

Report and photos: Ryan Thomas (RT Photography)

Bastion Gardens, Prestatyn, ended up hosting an eight-goal thriller with Rhos United’s pitch unavailable – and what a tie it turned out to be.
Rhos ran out winners, but Cefni from Anglesey put up a tremendous battle.
Both sides have begun the season well in their respective leagues, so a great game looked in store.
Richard Hillier-Evans produced a big early save to deny Cefni the lead, but the islanders did edge ahead on 13 minutes.
Jamie Patterson produced a brilliant touch past centre-back Ste Bibby and calmly slotted home in a one-on-one situation.
Rhos bounced straight back, Lewis Sealey having a shot cleared off the line before in the ensuing scramble, the visitors were adjudged guilty of a handball and Adam Williams scored from the spot.
Cefni regained the lead on 24 minutes when Hillier-Evans initially produced a brilliant save, but the resulting corner was poorly cleared, Nathan Lewis crossed and Dylan Griffith found the net.
It soon became four goals in 14 minutes when after Adam Williams was denied by a good stop from keeper Aidan Griffiths, Williams crossed for Mike Chapman to make it 2-2.
Griffiths came up with a marvellous save to thwart Billy Bibby’s strike towards the top left corner, but two minutes before the break a Bret Durkan throw found the head of Billy Bibby, whose flick bounced off a Cefni defender straight to the feet of Chapman who was there to poach his second a make it 3-2 at half tme.

The second half began as the first had finished, an end-to-end battle and on 51 minutes Cefni equalised when Hillier-Evans was stranded in no-man’s land as Griffith lobbed him for 3-3.
Only a Tom Brady last-ditch tackle then denied the visitors an inevitable lead.
Chapman then went close to a hat-trick, clattering the bar.
Rhos were playing good football and equally Cefni kept them at bay, but unfortunately the away side lost their keeper Griffiths due to a shoulder injury in the 69th minute.
United were now applying the pressure and in the 78th minute it paid off when substitute Callum Cunningham pounced on a loose ball in the box to make it 4-3.
Sealey rattled the crossbar, but soon after he put Rhos 5-3 up from a Billy Bibby assist.
Cefni tried everything to get back into the tie, but couldn’t get past the Rhos back four. It was so nearly 6-3 via Cunningham, but the bar saved Cefni for a third time.
MOTMs were Richard ‘Giggs’ Hill from Rhos and Dylan Griffith from Cefni

Llandudno Swifts 3-2 CPD Deiniolen

First half goals from 17-year-old Shae Pugh (2) and Harry Montgomery established a big enough lead for Swifts to win this tie.
Assists were provided by Sol Pita, Jake Carey and Jacob Guy as the hosts took a 3-0 advantage into the break.
Sion Foulkes and Jonathan Cyster replied for Deiniolen in the second half to give the visitors hope, but it was not to be. The away side had Gwion Jones dismissed for a second yellow, while Llew Owen was shown a straight red.

Rhyl Albion 1-3 Blaenau Ffestiniog Amateurs

Two goals in stoppage time clinched this tie for the Quarrymen.
Guto Roberts put Blaenau in front on 25 minutes and it stayed that way until past the 90, the visitors having had Huw Parry red-carded on 88.
In added time, subs Gethin Roberts and Sion Roberts made it 3-0 to the Cae Clyd outfit before sub Macca Lewis bagged a consolation penalty for Albion.

MABON SCAFFOLDING NWCFA JUNIOR CUP ROUND TWO

(ties to take place on October 19)

Amlwch Town v Mountain Rangers
Caergybi v Henllan
Gaerwen v Llysfaen
Holyhead Town v Prestatyn Wanderers
Llandudno Swifts v Penrhyn Bay
Llanfairpwll v Rhos United
Llangoed v Blaenau Amateurs
Prestatyn Sports v Bethesda Rovers