FAW Amateur Trophy: Northern glory as two tier 4 sides make last 16 and three win down south

What a day for the North!

Two of our Tier 4 sides are into the FAW Amateur Trophy last 16 and today brought four victories over South Wales opposition.

The draw for the fourth round this week will be packed with interest for North Wales tier 3 and 4 clubs.

FAW AMATEUR TROPHY ROUND THREE – LAST 32

Bethesda Athletic 4 CPD Pwllheli 2

Kyle Hartleb struck twice as tier 4 Bethesda pulled off an outstanding victory against higher league opposition at Parc Meurig.

It was a 10th straight win in all competitions for the North Wales Coast West Premier Division leaders and surely their sweetest yet against Pwllheli of Ardal North West.

Athletic got off to a flyer, Hartleb netting in the fourth minute from a Scott Hughes assist before Shaun Lock made it 2-0 with just 14 gone.

Pwllheli reduced the deficit before half time through Steffan Toplis before a fiery first 45 littered with yellow cards came to a close with the hosts 2-1 up.

Lock turned provider six minutes into the second half when he set up Wisdom Janes to make it 3-1.

Sion Jones replied for the visitors on 82 to set up a tense finish.

It was not until the 10th minute of added time that the tie was killed off, Hartleb’s delivery from the left landing perfectly inside the right-hand post to send the home supporters wild.

Cardiff Draconians 0 Brickfield Rangers 1

So often in the past long trips down to the capital have ended in heartbreak for North Wales teams – but not today.

Brickfield Rangers of Ardal North East came up with a fabulous win over Ardal South West outfit Cardiff Draconians at Lydstep Park.

The only goal of a close-fought tie arrived in the 76th minute, when Aiden Fox supplied the assist for Michael Ainsworth to notch his fourth goal of the season.

Brickfield came with a game plan, defended solidly and soaked up Dracs pressure. Dracs had numerous corners and a lot of possession but failed to convert into goals.

Late in the game Brickfield had a couple of chances and took one, then defended the lead. Dracs will feel unlucky, but Rangers worked hard for the win.

Lex XI 1 Llanidloes Town 1 (Lex won 5-4 on pens)

Giant-killers Lex produced more magic as they again defeated third-tier opposition to reach the last 16 of the Trophy.

Conquerors of Ardal North West CPD Y Rhyl 1879 in the last round, the fourth-tier Law today eliminated Ardal North East side Llanidloes, who were in Tier 2 last season.

The Wrexham hosts, top of the North East Wales League Premier, took a 12th minute lead when Cameron Thomas finished from an assist by goalkeeper Joey Jones.

Joe Evans made it one-apiece on the stroke of half time.

The second half finished goalless so it was down to spot-kicks.

The shoot-out was dramatic to say the least.

Dependable as ever Lex player-manager Ricky Evans scored, Keegan Bradley made it 1-1, Harry Massey missed for the Law, but Drew Reynolds’ effort was saved by Joey Jones.

Jason Edwards made it 2-1 Lex, then Jones saved again to deny Joe Evans.

Adam Griffiths’ next kick was saved, but hero Jones also kept out Adam Nottingham’s attempt, meaning it was still 2-1 to the home team.

The misses continued as Ashton Williams failed for Lex before George Clarke made it 2-2 after five kicks apiece.

Liam Collo converted for the Lawmen, Mason Jones did likewise for the Daffs, Tom Huxley succeeded for Lex and Edward Clarke found the net – four apiece.

Alex Palmer made it 5-4 and Gareth Owen missed for the visitors – cue wild celebrations for Lex!

CPD Llannefydd 3 Bow Street 4

Heartbreaking defeat for Llannefydd at the hands of Ardal North East leaders Bow Street.

Ciran Jones, Tom Jones and Mathew Jones scored for the home team, but Richie Ricketts (2), Rhys Hughes and sub Courtney Perkins won it for the Mid-Wales travellers.

Llanrwst United 4 Nantlle Vale 0

No stopping the in-form Rwsters in this one, Julian Williams scoring twice, with single goals apiece from Sam Thomas and Conor Davies.

Vale’s chances of an upset took a knock when they had Kevin Lloyd sent off after just 16 minutes at Parc Gwydir.

Mynydd Isa 1 West End 4

Not to be for Tier 4 heroes Mynydd Isa as they went down at home to West Wales Premier Division outfit West End from Swansea.

Two-time FAW Trophy winners West progressed with goals from Daryl Hughes (2), Rio Davies and Adam Griffiths, Jay Wiles having equalised for Isa to make it 1-1 at the break.

Penlan 1 CPD Llanuwchllyn 2

Knockout kings Llanuwchllyn added a last 16 place in the FAW Amateur Trophy to their already superb achievement of making the final 32 of the Welsh Cup.

This time Sion Tudor’s side emerged victorious from a long trip down south to West Wales Premier Division outfit Penlan.

Two goals early in the second half put Ardal North East visitors Llan in command.

Meilir Williams’ 24th goal of the season on 49 minutes made it 1-0 and Dan Dascalu added another with 55 gone.

Theo Waters pulled one back after 87 for Penlan, but it was not enough.

St Josephs 2 Connah’s Quay Town 2 (Town won 4-2 on pens)

Grassroots North Wales Club of the Month Connah’s Quay Town have written another remarkable chapter in this amazing season.

The Ardal North West newcomers triumphed on penalties after a 2-2 draw against Swansea side St Josephs of the West Wales Premier League.

They were one of three WWPL teams to lose to North Wales opponents on the day.

Just like last weekend, when they went 2-0 down in the league against NFA only to fight back for a 3-2 victory, Town again trailed by two goals.

Zach Jones struck on 22 minutes and Rikki Hayden netted after 36 for the team placed second in their division.

A Charles Morgan own goal just before half time put Connah’s Quay back in the contest.

Quay fought hard in the second half, and on 79 minutes Edward Brown made it 2-2.

This meant pens were needed and the visitors prevailed 4-2, Ryan Hewitt, Sam Reynolds, Kyle Reid and Brown scoring for the North Walians, whose goalkeeper Richard Walker saved one of St Josephs’ kicks.

Trearddur Bay 3 Ynyshir Albions 1

Three goals in the last 10 minutes enabled Bay to rally from one down to knock out Trophy veterans Ynyshir of the Tier 3 Ardal South West.

Joseff Haig’s 19th minute goal for the visitors was all that separated the teams at half time.

The second half had been frustrating for Trearddur until they finally equalised with 82 minutes on the clock, Stevie Jones finishing from a Shaun Cavanagh assist.

On 88 minutes, recent signing Cavanagh made it 2-1, Sean McCaffrey setting him up.

And two minutes into added time, Dan McGinness netted a killer third.