Will it be fourth time lucky when Mountain Rangers compete in the NWCFA Junior Challenge Cup final in April?
On Saturday, the Caernarfon-area club reached the showpiece stage for the first time since 1976 with an upset victory over Aberffraw at Cae Gors.
Berffro were unbeaten all season in 15 matches, sitting 11 points clear at the North Wales Coast West Division One peak and had whipped Rangers 4-0 in the league at Cae Cynlas in November.
Yet it was a different story in this latest meeting as Rangers reached the Junior Cup final for a fourth occasion, having been losing finalists in 1969. 1970 and 1976.
Standing in their way on April 18 at a venue to be confirmed will be Llandyrnog United of North Wales Coast East Division One, themselves runners-up on their sole final appearance in 1990.
Saturday’s semi saw Rangers start the better of the two.
In the 12th minute Elis Hughes put the hosts one-up via a brilliant well-worked corner from Cai Owen.
Rangers didn’t stop there as they pushed hard to grab a second with chances for Aeron Williams, Josh Williams and captain Rhys Wynne.
Aberffraw had a penalty shout later on in the first half, but the referee was having none of it as he waved for play on.
Into the second half and again Rangers came out the stronger side, doubling their lead with 51 on the clock.
Ben Davies’ perfectly-weighted pass found the run of Josh Williams, whose left-foot drive rifled under the legs of the away keeper.
Rangers continued to press with chances for sub Nathan Craig, Aeron Williams and Wynne all saved by goalkeeper Josh Roberts.
Aberffraw had some openings, including one from a brilliant free kick crossed into the box only for Darryl Edwards to make an outstanding save from a header inside the six-yard box which kept Rangers still 2-0 up heading into the final 10 minutes.
With time running out, Andy Clarke was through on goal 1 on 1 but keeper Edwards did enough to force the striker to shoot wide.
But a few minutes later substitute Daniel Hughes contacted Clarke inside the box which led to Aberffraw penalty in the 92nd minute. Clarke converted for his 21st goal of the season to make it 2-1.
With a matter of seconds left on the clock Craig’s curved left-foot delivery found the run of Dion Jones but the linesman flagged for offside.
After the keeper took the free kick, referee Mark James blew the final whistle,which led to the Rangers fans running on to the pitch to celebrate with the players for what was an emotional victory.
Darryl Edwards, Josh Humphreys, Llion Hughes, Morgan Jones, Elis Hughes, Dion Griffiths, Cai Owen, Daniel Owen, Aeron Williams, Rhys Jones (c), Josh Williams. Subs used: Dion Jones, Daniel Hughes, Ben Aaron Davies, Nathan Craig.
Josh Roberts, Ieuan Lloyd, Cai Roberts, Arwel Williams, Dion Evans (c), Andrew Jones, Will Edwards, Connor Gordon, Andy Clarke, Steve Jones, Dylan Williams. Subs: Aaron McQuire Jones, Ben Smith, Ioan Jones, Luke Gardiner, Tom Carter.
Whoever wins the 2025-26 NWCFA Junior Cup will lift the trophy for a first time.
Mountain Rangers were losing finalists in 1969, 1970 and 1976, while Llandyrnog United were 4-0 losers to Connah’s Quay Albion in the 1990 final.
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