NWCFA Junior Challenge Cup quarter-finals – Gaerwen, Caergybi, Holyhead Town and Blaenau into semis

NWCFA MABON SCAFFOLDING JUNIOR CUP QUARTER-FINALS

Three Ynys Môn teams will compete in the semi-finals of this season’s NWCFA Junior Cup.

Terrific trio Caergybi, CPD Gaerwen and Holyhead Town won their respective quarter-finals today – all away from home!

They were joined by Blaenau Ffestiniog Amateurs, who based on current league positions are probably now the new cup favourites.

JUNIOR CUP QUARTER-FINAL REPORTS – NOVEMBER 9, 2024

Bethesda Rovers 2 Holyhead Town 4

Nigerian ace Festus Osagie scored twice as Holyhead Town belied their lowly league position to reach the Junior Cup semis.

Third from bottom of tier 5 North Wales Coast West Division One, the Harbourmen saw off hosts Bethesda Rovers to keep alive their hopes of lifting the cup for the first time since 1988.

Today saw Town travel to Penrhiw, Mynydd Llandegai, to face a Bethesda outfit which beat them 4-2 in the league at Millbank back in August.

Before kick-off this afternoon, a minute silence was upheld by both teams for Remembrance Day.

In slippery conditions, Town got themselves into the lead on 15 minutes when Osagie struck a wonderful left-footed effort past keeper Kieran Murphy from long range.

Bethesda settled into the game, began to produce chances of their own and levelled when Jordan Pritchard tapped in at the back post although Town were aggrieved an alleged foul in the build up went unpunished.

Town created opportunities of their own with Andy Will hitting the bar from close range.

Just as the half was coming to a close, a whipped cross from Ian Williams was headed just over by Craig Moore. Rovers missed a big chance from a free header soon after.

Town looked threatening from the off in the second half.

They took the lead on 62 minutes when Moore broke from his own half, outpacing the Bethesda defence and rounding the keeper to make it 2-1.

Holyhead continued to pose problems on the break with Moore and Will going close.

The Holy Islanders got a third when substitute Rodney Roberts’ flicked header was nodded in at the back post by Matt Griffin with 82 gone.

Going into injury time Osagie got his second with a brilliant chest control and volley to make it 4-1.

Bethesda did grab a goal back deep into injury time through sub Ryan Roberts, but Town deserved the win in a very hard fought game.

Blaenau Ffestiniog Amateurs 4 Amlwch Town 1

Sior Jones delivered a double as North Wales Coast West Division One leaders Blaenau powered their way into the last four.

The outlook did not look so bright for the Quarrymen at half time as Amlwch led through a ninth-minute goal from 17-year-old Callum Hughes.

Blaenau began the second half well and equalised on 54 minutes when Sior Jones benefited from an Owain Jones-Owen assist.

Three minutes later, Jones struck again, this time Sion Roberts setting him up.

The tie was still in the balance until the 81st minute when Sion Roberts made it 3-1.

And in added time, Iwan Jones added number four for the Cae Clyd outfit.

Llandudno Swifts 4 CPD Gaerwen 4
(Gaerwen won 3-1 on penalties)

Goalkeeper Szymon Tyszko was the hero of Gaerwen after three penalty shoot-out saves made sure the Auctioneers advanced to the semis with an amazing victory at North Wales Coast East hosts Swifts.

The 17-year-old glovesman, originally from Poland but who has lived in North Wales for some time and emerged through the Gaerwen junior system, ended up the toast of the Anglesey village when his three stops ensured the visitors triumphed 3-1 on spot-kicks following a thrilling 4-4 draw in the match itself.

Swifts took a second-minute lead through Frank Montgomery before Gaerwen started to settle into the match.

On the 20 mark, Calum Thomas levelled following a lovely pass from Robert Boyes.

And in the 41st minute, the islanders led 2-1, Gwion Parry finding the net via a great assist by Callum Hughes.

Half-time: 1-2

Swifts levelled seven minutes after the restart through Freddie Banning, but a second goal for Parry from a Thomas assist restored the Anglesey team’s lead after 57.

Unfortunately for the visitors, they lost Llion Roberts on 65 to a second yellow card, and it got tougher when Swifts were awarded a penalty which Montgomery put away.

With Parry sent to the sin-bin, Gaerwen were temporarily down to nine men before captain Sam Maddock put Swifts 4-3 up on 77.

The islanders were now truly up against it, especially with Thomas also sin-binned, leaving them with nine over two separate periods.

However, one thing which has stood out above anything with Gaerwen this season has been the way they rally with their backs to the wall.

And nine minutes over the 90, the never-say-die visitors made it 4-4, Ioan Sandison heading in a Callum Hughes free kick.

Extra time produced no further goals, so it was down to the dreaded pens.

Callum Hughes, Brooklyn Jones and Calum Thomas scored for Gaerwen, while Tyszko denied Maddock, Trefor Jones and Tom Harrison to send Vinny Walker, Anthony Hughes and Gavin Thomas’ heroes through.

What a season this has become for the Auctioneers.

Rhos United 1 Caergybi 3

Quite an upset at Betws-yn-Rhos where the undefeated North Wales Coast East Division One leaders exited the Junior Cup at the hands of Caergybi.

The result means the semi-finals will comprise entirely of North Wales Coast West Division One sides.

Louis Chapman broke the deadlock in the visiting side’s favour on 17 minutes and Adam Taylor doubled the away total after 42.

The experienced James Ryan made it 3-0 on 65 minutes, Jerome Sillence with the assist, and a late reply from Rich Beardmore proved nothing more than a consolation for Rhos.