Missed penalty proves a turning point in cup tie at Go Goodwins

NATHANIEL MG CUP THIRD ROUND – SEPTEMBER 16, 2025

Llandudno 3 (Adam Stephens 33, Carey 43, Bennett 82)
Denbigh Town 1 (Barnes 9)

Despite taking the lead through a superb Bradley Barnes goal, Denbigh ended up getting knocked out of the Nathaniel Cup by a Llandudno side which advances to the quarter-final stage.

Dewi Llion celebrated becoming Denbigh Town’s longest-serving manager, surpassing Bill Dawson’s 225 games by making three changes, with Matthew Worrall, Dan Flanders and Barnes coming into the XI.

Town began brightly and had a deserved lead within the opening 10 minutes of the start. Luke Johnston did well to break through and slip the ball to Barnes who from distance rifled an effort into the top right corner on his left foot for the lead.

Denbigh pressed for an early two goal lead and came close when a neat move led to Sam Duffy darting forward and unleashing an effort from outside the box, but Michael Jones was equal to it.

Llandudno’s first real chance came on 26 minutes when a long ball down the right was allowed to find Anthony Stephens who brought it down before forcing Elijah Beattie into a smart stop from an angle.

The game could have been in the full control of Denbigh just before the half hour mark when Barnes was hacked down in the box by keeper Jones and the referee pointed to the spot. Gwion Dafydd stepped up but Jones guessed the right way and denied the forward.

Four minutes later Town were punished, as a ball from the left was turned home by Stephens to draw Llandudno level. Ten minutes later with the hosts well and truly back in the game, a free kick was flicked home by Josh Carey to turn the game on its head.

The home side almost made it three in stoppage time when Aidan Higgins rushed through one on one with Beattie but the Town stopper made an excellent stop..

Half-Time: Llandudno 2-1 Denbigh Town

The first real chance of the second half came just after the hour mark when the ball pinballed in the box following substitute Nathan Brown’s effort, before Bobby Beaumont forced Jones into a stop with his follow up.

Llandudno responded in kind when Higgins’ cross from the left was met by Dylan Proctor, only for his header to sail over the bar.

With a flurry of chances at both ends, Denbigh could have levelled when Brown’s free-kick from deep met the head of Ben Lockley who nodded back for Max Cooke but without enough purchase, it was dealt with by the home custodian.

In the closing moments Llandudno were awarded a penalty which Harvey Bennett dispatched which all but put the Seasiders through.

NATHANIEL MG CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW (TIES TO BE PLAYED NOVEMBER 4-5)

Northern Section
Newtown v Llandudno
The New Saints v Caernarfon Town

Southern Section
Cambrian United v Briton Ferry Llansawel
Haverfordwest County v Barry Town United