NWCFA Intermediate Cup: former Welsh Premier star hits hat-trick, Gwalchmai joy after close win
NWCFA INTERMEDIATE CHALLENGE CUP REPORTS – AUGUST 30
Gwalchmai 4 CPD Penrhyndeudraeth 3
One of the best performances of the weekend saw a Gwalchmai side much weakened by a summer upheaval look more like their old selves in a cracking cup win at Maes Meurig.
Craig Evans’ side defeated Penrhyndeudraeth for the third successive season in the NWCFA Intermediate Cup, having beaten the Cockles 3-1 in the 2023-24 final and 4-1 in last term’s second round.
Given the way both sides have started the current campaign, Gwalch were probably second favourites for Saturday’s third instalment, but they produced the goods when it mattered.
Four goals arrived in the first 20 minutes, the hosts taking a 3-1 lead.
Cian Owen struck first in the third minute from an assist by Alan Owen, who was also supplier for the second goal scored by Iwan Sawicz.
Callum Jones pulled one back for the visitors, but Leon Owen restored Gwalch’s two-goal advantage, young Alfie Skinner-Jones the assister.
When the master hitman Marc Evans made it 4-1 10 minutes into the second half it looked all over, but Cai Henshaw reduced the deficit on 64 and Reece Evans made it 4-3 after 87.
Penrhyn pushed for pens, but Gwalchmai held on for a satisfying result.
Blaenau Ffestiniog Amateurs 5 Llanfairfechan Town 5 (Llanfairfechan won 7-6 on pens)
A 10-goal stormer at Cae Clyd ended 5-5 before Llanfairfechan edged a penalties contest 7-6 to advance to the next stage.
In a quite remarkable game, Llanfair led 4-1 at half time thanks to goals from Cyril Carey (2), Jamie Haggas and a Carwyn Foster own goal, Mabon Owen replying for Blaenau at 4-0,
Carey also missed a penalty for the visitors.
Early in the second half, Sion Roberts and Deio Hughes cut the arrears to 4-3, Osian Roberts put Town two ahead again, but a Roberts pair on 79 and 89 ensured the 18-year-old completed his hat-trick and forced penalties.
At 6-6 in the shoot out and Blaenau having missed, Ellis Jones stepped up and converted the decisive pen to see Llanfair through.
Conwy Borough Swifts 0 CPD Boded 2
Rob Tiesteel and Dylan Griffith scored on 18 and 76 minutes respectively, Chris Jones with both assists, to seal safe passage for Boded at Y Morfa.
Conwy had Sam Maddock red-carded after 71.
Glan Conwy 3 CPD Cerrigydrudion 5
Tirion Griffiths was a four-goal star as Cerrig took the honours at Cae Ffwt.
Tegid Williams also struck for the visitors, Franky Gughrill, Dion Lloyd and Harrison McQueen responding for Glan, who came back from two-down to lead 3-2 at the break.
CPD Llannerchymedd 1 Llandudno Amateurs 7
Veteran Lee Thomas pocketed a hat-trick as Llandudno Amateurs knocked seven past their Anglesey hosts.
The 42-year-old, a former Welsh Premier star for Llandudno FC, netted after 38, 59 and 78 minutes for the visitors, while another former Seasiders top-flight great, Danny Hughes, dellivered a double and Jack Kearney and Euan Hince notched one apiece,
Sub Callum Evans grabbed a consolation for Llannerchymedd.
Llanrug United 6 Bontnewydd 1
Deion Hughes struck four times for Llanrug in a ruthless derby thrashing of Bontnewydd at Eithin Duon.
Matthew Roberts and sub Sam Griffiths added singles for the hosts, Jac Bee with Bont’s only goal when the score was 3-0.
CPD Llansannan 3 Cemaes Bay 2
Goals in the 88th and 89th minutes from Gruffudd Roberts and Dafydd Jones respectively won a dramatic tie for Llansannan.
Cemaes were ahead at half time through Codie Holland and Asa Thomas, Roberts replying for the North Wales Coast East Premier Division high-flyers.
Menai Bridge Tigers 3 CPD Llanberis 0
Goals in the closing minutes from Jamie McDaid and Morgan Jones made sure Tigers advanced.
The home side led through Matthew Jones’ 41st minute goal from a John Littlemore assist, but needed those late strikes to kill off the contest.
CPD Mynydd Llandegai 2 Talysarn Celts 2 (Talysarn won 3-2 on pens)
It went to pens at Penrhiw and Talysarn edged the victory.
The game itself finished 2-2, Luke Baum and Jac Pearce Jones straight from a corner hitting the net for the visitors, Steven Tindall (pen) and a Guto Hughes own goal putting Llandegai on level terms.
Nantlle Vale 1 Llandudno Junction 2
Tremendous result for Junction in difficult conditions at Maes Dulyn.
The Railwaymen led 2-0 at half time courtesy of goals from Jack Nettleton and Lee Davies, Aaron Griffiths hitting back for the hosts after 65.
Rhos United 4 CPD Bro Cernyw 4 (Bro won 4-3 on pens)
Penalties heartbreak for Rhos for a second week running following a spot-kicks exit against Hawarden Rangers the previous weekend in the Welsh Cup.
Saturday’s Intermediate Cup clash at Betws-yn-Rhos ended four-apiece, Oliver Gray, Bret Durkan, Cameron Berry and Callum Foster on target for Rhos, while Rhidian Williams (2), Robin Evans and Sion Jones, with an 86th minute equaliser, struck back for Cernyw.
Bro keeper William Hughes crucually produced two shoot-out saves for the visitors as Bro progressed 4-3.