WELSH CUP GIANT-KILLING: Llanrug United stun tier 2 Ruthin
JD WELSH CUP FIRST ROUND – SEPTEMBER 20
Llanrug United 3 (Lloyd 49 & 68, O Jones 66)
Ruthin Town 3 (Nash 30, Cox 84. Salisbury 90+6)
(Llanrug won 4-1 on penalties)
Owen Bracegirdle became a Welsh Cup hero after he saved two penalties and scored one himself as his Tier 4 Llanrug side dumped Cymru North outfit Ruthin out of the national knockout.
The crowd at Eithin Duon had already been treated to an epic first round tie in which underdogs United took a 3-1 lead, only to be pegged back to 3-3, but then showed greater composure to triumph in a shootout.
And a central figure was 35-year-old keeper Bracegirdle, whose name will long be celebrated among Llanrug fans.
Another star on the day was veteran striker Kevin Lloyd, who scored twice just as he did 11 years ago when he inspired Llanrug to defeat Chirk AAA 3-2 in the FAW Amateur Trophy Final – perhaps the club’s greatest ever achievement.
Initially, Saturday’s tie appeared to be going to the script, with Tier 2 Ruthin leading 1-0 at the break after Jamie Nash netted on the half-hour from an Alex Webster assist.
After the interval, the North Wales Coast West Premier Division hosts turned the tables.
In the 49th minute Lloyd made it 1-1, Deion Hughes the supplier.
On 66 minutes the Caernarfon-area side were ahead, Owain Jones on target, then soon after Llanrug were in dreamland when Tomos Owen set up Lloyd for his second.
Lloyd had netted four times in a 9-1 hammering of Mynydd Llandegai seven days earlier, so was obviously in the mood for more net-finding heroics.
Ruthin pulled a goal back on 84 minutes when Nash provided the assist and Dan Cox the finish, but deep into added time it looked like the giant-killing had been completed.
However, with virtually the last kick, sub Tomos Salisbury equalised to force a shootout.
Such a late blow might have felled lesser sides, but not Llanrug.
Having beaten Gresford Athletic on spot-kicks in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup just three weeks earlier, the momentum was now surely with the visitors.
However, United would not be denied.
Bracegirdle netted the opening penalty, Joel Giblin equalised, but Sion Evans put the hosts 2-1 up.
Robin Thomas and Sion Prysor Williams also put away their pens and Bracegridle denied both Dave Forbes and Joshua Evans to send ‘Rug through to the second round.
An unforgettable day for the Arfon club.
Winning manager’s view
Llanrug player-manager Eifion Williams spoke to Grassroots North Wales after his team’s magnificent win.
He said: “A massive win for the boys against tier 2 opponents. The team was exceptional from the first minute and deserved to be 3-1 up.
“Ruthin came back and equalised with the last kick of the game. A very nervous penalty shootout, but we came through and won.
“Best win of my managerial time at Llanrug. Looking forward to the draw and hopefully a Welsh Prem team at home.”
LLANRUG UNITED
Owen Bracegirdle, Jake Calley-Thomas (c), Berian Llwyd, Tomos Owen, Owain Gibbard, Llion Jones, Sion Evans, Robin Thomas, Kevin Lloyd, Owain Jones, Deion Hughes.
Subs used: Sion Prysor Williams, Joshua Evans.
RUTHIN TOWN
Jake Nicholls, Jamie Nash, Joel Giblin, Dan Cox, Ethan Davies, Osian Davies, Daniel Holland, Martthew Robinson, Dave Forbes, Alex Webster, Llyr Morris.
Subs used: Joshua Evans, Tomos Salisbury,